Low and Slow Temp for BBQ - What is it?

Low and slow temp for BBQ can be an open-ended discussion. With that said, pitmasters talk about 225 being that magical number. Other pitmasters will say 250 is the low and slow temp they shoot for. Let’s talk about it.

What Does it Mean to Cook Low and Slow

Ok, let’s discuss what is low and slow BBQ. First, do you remember your first bite of brisket? I do! It was a truly amazing experience! I tried the flat and then the point. It was cooked with a rub that formed an amazing bark, and the meat was so tender and juicy! The brisket had a beefy, salty flavor with that peppery crust for true Texas BBQ.

The process to get that brisket to that tender juicy state resulted from the low and slow temp process! When you cook a tough piece of meat, like a brisket or pork butt, at a low temperature for an extended period of time. This process is “low and slow BBQ”. It allows the low temperature to slow cook the meat, infuse smoke, and break down the intramuscular fat. The end result is a delicious, amazing meal your family will love!

What Temp is Used for Low and Slow BBQ

The temp used for low and slow BBQ varies from pitmaster to pitmaster. Some prefer to smoke their BBQ at 225 degrees. Others like to shoot for a grate temperature between 225-250 degrees. Still other pitmasters see 250-275 degrees as a good low and slow temp.

Most pitmasters will agree that 300 degrees and above is not considered low and slow BBQ.

Different cuts of meat can be smoked at different temperatures. We created a table below with a breakdown of brisket, pork butt, ribs, and chicken. This table shows the low and slow temps along with a rough estimate of how long each meat will cook:

In Conclusion

So there you have it, the low and slow temp for BBQ is between 225-275 degrees. Different meats will take longer and need to cook at a lower temperature vs other meat that cook a little hotter and quicker.

Also, include some BBQ rubs for your cooks. I like to use Butcher BBQ Texas Bark for beef and Butcher BBQ Honey Rub for ribs!

Now it is your turn, fire up that smoker, and post a comment below on what your low and slow temp is for BBQ.