There’s something undeniably special about Southern BBQ meals with cheese recipes. The smoky richness of BBQ combined with the creamy, melty goodness of cheese creates the perfect combination of flavors that every food lover can appreciate. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, planning a family dinner, or simply craving something indulgent, these recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Southern BBQ meals that incorporate cheese, providing you with mouth-watering recipes, helpful tips, and expert suggestions for pairing your dishes. Let’s dive into the delicious world of Southern BBQ with cheese!

The Magic of Southern BBQ and Cheese

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a moment to explore why Southern BBQ and cheese work so well together. Southern BBQ is famous for its slow-cooked, smoky meats like chicken, beef, and even vegetables. The key to its flavor lies in the seasoning, cooking technique, and the tangy BBQ sauces that accompany the meats.

On the other hand, cheese—whether it’s sharp cheddar, creamy mozzarella, or spicy pepper jack—offers a delightful contrast to the rich flavors of BBQ. The smooth, melty texture of cheese enhances the savory meat while adding a layer of richness that takes your BBQ meals to the next level.

Key benefits of combining BBQ with cheese:

• Creamy texture: Cheese adds a smooth, velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with smoky, tender meats.
• Balanced flavors: Cheese can help balance the tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors of BBQ sauces.
• Versatility: From BBQ Mac ‘n’ Cheese to cheesy BBQ chicken, cheese complements a wide variety of BBQ dishes.

Now that you understand why these two ingredients make a perfect pair, let’s look at some of the most delicious Southern BBQ meals with cheese.

Best Southern BBQ Meals with Cheese Recipes

1. BBQ Mac ‘n’ Cheese

A Comfort Food Classic with a Southern Twist

There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of BBQ Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Creamy, cheesy pasta is the ultimate comfort food, and when you add smoky BBQ meat, it becomes a true Southern indulgence. The best part? You can use whatever BBQ meat you prefer, whether it’s grilled chicken, beef brisket, or even vegetarian BBQ options like jackfruit.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups BBQ grilled chicken or beef brisket (or your favorite BBQ meat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni: Boil the macaroni in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually add the heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the cheese: Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt into the sauce until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine: Toss the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and stir in the BBQ meat until well combined.
5. Serve: Garnish with extra BBQ sauce, chopped green onions, or shredded cheese for a finishing touch. Serve hot and enjoy!

This dish is a crowd-pleaser that combines the richness of cheese with the smokiness of BBQ meat for a comforting and filling meal.

2. Cheesy Grits with BBQ Chicken

A True Southern Comfort Dish

Cheesy grits are a staple in Southern cuisine. When paired with BBQ chicken, they transform into a hearty and flavorful dish. The creamy grits balance the smoky, tangy chicken, making it the perfect combination for any meal. This dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a side at your next BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits (stone-ground preferred)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups BBQ grilled chicken
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the grits: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly add the grits while stirring to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
2. Add the cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook until the cheese is fully melted and the grits are smooth and creamy.
3. Top with BBQ chicken: Spoon the cheesy grits onto a plate and top with your favorite BBQ grilled chicken.
4. Serve: Garnish with extra BBQ sauce or green onions for added flavor. Serve hot and enjoy the Southern comfort!

This dish is rich, flavorful, and combines the best of Southern cooking: grits, cheese, and BBQ chicken.

3. Grilled Cheesy BBQ Chicken

Smoky, Cheesy, and Delicious

Grilled chicken topped with BBQ sauce and melted cheese is the perfect dish for any BBQ lover. The smoky grilled flavor, tangy BBQ sauce, and gooey cheese make for a simple yet satisfying meal. This dish is easy to prepare, and it’s a great way to enjoy BBQ with a cheesy twist.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Grill the chicken: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill them for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
2. Add BBQ sauce: Brush BBQ sauce on each piece of chicken during the last minute of grilling.
3. Top with cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and crumbled bacon (if using) over the chicken. Close the grill lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
4. Serve: Serve the grilled cheesy BBQ chicken with your favorite sides like grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.

Grilled cheesy BBQ chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of sides.

4. BBQ Beef Brisket with Collard Greens and Cheese

A Southern BBQ Feast

This dish takes traditional BBQ beef brisket and pairs it with collard greens and melted cheese for a hearty, comforting meal. The richness of the cheese complements the smoky beef, while the collard greens add a healthy, flavorful base.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef brisket
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 cups collard greens, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the beef brisket: Slow-cook the brisket with BBQ sauce in a slow cooker for about 8 hours or until tender. Once cooked, slice the brisket thinly.
2. Braised collard greens: In a separate pot, simmer the collard greens with vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt until tender (about 45 minutes).
3. Assemble the dish: Layer the sliced BBQ beef brisket over the collard greens and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
4. Serve: Serve with cornbread or your favorite Southern side dish for a complete meal.

This is a rich, flavorful meal that’s perfect for any BBQ enthusiast.

Creative Variations and Tips

BBQ Nachos with Cheese

Who doesn’t love nachos? Pile crispy tortilla chips high with BBQ grilled chicken or beef, melted cheese, jalapeños, onions, and your favorite toppings. These BBQ nachos are perfect for parties, casual gatherings, or a fun dinner at home.

BBQ Cheese Dip

A creamy BBQ cheese dip made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and BBQ chicken is a crowd favorite at any party. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables for dipping.

BBQ Stuffed Jalapeños with Cheese

For a spicy, cheesy treat, stuff jalapeños with BBQ grilled chicken or beef and top them with melted cheese. These BBQ stuffed jalapeños are the perfect appetizer or snack for your next BBQ.

Pairing Your BBQ Meals with Cheese

Best BBQ Sides to Complement Cheese Dishes

When preparing Southern BBQ meals with cheese, you’ll want to balance the richness of cheese with lighter, flavorful sides. Here are some great options:

• Coleslaw: The tangy crunch of coleslaw is the perfect contrast to the richness of cheese.
• Cornbread: A classic Southern side that complements BBQ dishes beautifully.
• Grilled Vegetables: Lightly charred vegetables provide a smoky flavor that pairs well with cheesy BBQ.

Drinks to Pair with Southern BBQ and Cheese Meals

The right drink can elevate your BBQ meal experience. Here are some drink suggestions:

• Sweet Tea: A Southern classic that pairs well with the smokiness of BBQ.
• IPA Beer: The bitterness of an IPA balances the richness of cheese and BBQ.
• Lemonade: A refreshing non-alcoholic choice to cut through the richness of cheesy BBQ dishes.

Southern BBQ Meals with Cheese Recipes: Comfort & Flavor

Wendy

This Southern BBQ meal with cheese recipe combines smoky BBQ beef brisket with creamy cheddar cheese and tender collard greens for a hearty, comforting dish. Perfect for BBQ lovers, this meal offers the ideal blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy flavors that will satisfy your cravings. Easy to prepare and delicious, it’s a must-try for any Southern food enthusiast!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

30 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Comfort Food, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings 4 people

Calories 1.93 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker (or Pressure Cooker) Optional – you can use a pressure cooker for faster cooking times, or a slow cooker for traditional BBQ brisket.

Ingredients

  

• BBQ Mac ‘n’ Cheese

A Comfort Food Classic with a Southern Twist

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups BBQ grilled chicken or beef brisket or your favorite BBQ meat
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cheesy Grits with BBQ Chicken

A True Southern Comfort Dish

• 1 cup grits stone-ground preferred
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups BBQ grilled chicken
• Salt and pepper to taste

A Southern BBQ Feast

• 2 lbs beef brisket
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 cups collard greens chopped
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

 

A Comfort Food Classic with a Southern Twist

• Cook the macaroni: Boil the macaroni in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually add the heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Add the cheese: Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt into the sauce until smooth and creamy.
• Combine: Toss the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and stir in the BBQ meat until well combined.
• Serve: Garnish with extra BBQ sauce, chopped green onions, or shredded cheese for a finishing touch. Serve hot and enjoy!

Cheesy Grits with BBQ Chicken

• Cook the grits: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly add the grits while stirring to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Add the cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook until the cheese is fully melted and the grits are smooth and creamy.
• Top with BBQ chicken: Spoon the cheesy grits onto a plate and top with your favorite BBQ grilled chicken.
• Serve: Garnish with extra BBQ sauce or green onions for added flavor. Serve hot and enjoy the Southern comfort!

Grilled Cheesy BBQ Chicken

• Grill the chicken: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill them for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
• Add BBQ sauce: Brush BBQ sauce on each piece of chicken during the last minute of grilling.
• Top with cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and crumbled bacon (if using) over the chicken. Close the grill lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
• Serve: Serve the grilled cheesy BBQ chicken with your favorite sides like grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.

Keyword BBQ beef brisket with cheese, BBQ with cheddar cheese, cheesy BBQ recipes, comfort food with BBQ, Southern BBQ comfort food, Southern BBQ meals with cheese recipe

FAQs

Conclusion

Southern BBQ meals with cheese bring together the best of smoky, tangy BBQ and the rich, creamy textures of cheese. From BBQ Mac ‘n’ Cheese to Grilled Cheesy BBQ Chicken, these dishes are sure to become your go-to comfort foods. So, fire up the grill, get your cheese ready, and enjoy the delicious, comforting world of Southern BBQ meals with cheese!

Additionally, if you’re looking for a perfect side to pair with these meals, don’t miss our Southern Cornbread Recipe, which is the ideal accompaniment to any BBQ dish.

Related Recipes and Ideas

For more creative dishes, check out:

• Explore more creative ideas for breakfast and brunch recipes
• Discover food tips and delicious recipes for any occasion