What Is Santa Maria CA BBQ?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Santa Maria BBQ is

a style of wood-fire

that dates back to the mid-1800s when the vaqueros (cowboys of Mexican origin) ran the local cattle ranches would throw mega fiestas. To feed everyone, they'd dig massive pits, layer in coast live oak (aka “red oak”) and willow branches, and tons of beef.

What is Santa Maria BBQ?

Santa Maria BBQ is

a style of wood-fire grilling

that dates back to the mid-1800s when the vaqueros (cowboys of Mexican origin) ran the local cattle ranches would throw mega fiestas. To feed everyone, they'd dig massive pits, layer in coast live oak (aka “red oak”) and willow branches, and grill tons of beef.

Why is it called a Santa Maria grill?

History. Santa Maria-style barbecue

originated in the mid-19th century when local ranchers hosted Spanish-style feasts each spring for their vaqueros

. They barbecued meat over earthen pits filled with hot coals of local coast live oak.

What are Santa Maria grills used for?

A Santa Maria grill is perfect for the job. It features a large, uncovered platform-style coal bed

for cooking large amounts of food

. But what makes it unique is a grill grate that can be easily raised or lowered by a hand crank to provide heat control. When the coals are hot, you raise the grate to avoid burning.

How does a Santa Maria grill work?

A Santa Maria grill is an open frame grill that is famed for its

heat preservation and the mobility of the grid on which the meat is placed

. It has a rotating chain system that allows you to lower and raise the meat. This is a handy feature when dealing with unpredictable flames.

What is CA BBQ known for?


The Santa Maria Club

was known for its public barbecues. They cooked prime ribs over red oak almost exclusively. The same goes for the local chapter of the Elks Lodge which was founded in 1935. Both organizations routinely cooked barbecue for large parties, and prime rib was the preferred cut for decades.

Is Santa Maria sauce spicy?

Santa Maria Tex Mex Hot Pepper Sauce 85ml- Hot Pepper Sauce is a strong sauce with a taste of

chili

. It gives heat and with its peppery taste it is an excellent accessory for all Mexican food.

How deep should a Santa Maria grill be?

Thickness – Grill base floor & side walls heavy gauge 3/16′′ steel. Thickness- Floor & Side walls: Insulated fire brick. Width: 30′′ (Overall 39′′ includes flywheel) Depth:

24′′

(Overall 29′′ includes handles)

What flavor is Santa Maria?

A

smoky, sweet and spicy rub

adds instant flavor to this tender cut of beef. Santa Maria style tri-tip takes a tender, and mild cut of beef then coats the roast with a blast of spices on the surface for maximum flavor.

Why is tri-tip only in California?

Because it

comes from the tip of the sirloin

, there is only one cut of tri-tip per side of beef—so butchers used to think it was a waste to use display space to display a steak they could only offer 1-2 of.

How tall is a Santa Maria Grill?

Dimensions: This grill system stands at

17.2′′ overall height

, base at 28.2′′ long. The cooking grate is 21.5′′ in diameter.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.