Think You’ve Mastered the Barbecue?

So you’ve conquered the basics — now it’s time to level up. These five Weber-approved recipes aren’t for the faint of heart. Each one is designed to stretch your skills, test your timing, and teach you the fine art of mastering challenging barbecue techniques.

From slow-cooked pies and gourmet roulades to wicked desserts and seafood with flair, these are the dishes that turn casual barbecuers into pat-on-the-back backyard heroes. These recipes were born on the Weber Q—but they’re not exclusive. Want to switch up the barbecue or fuel type? Hit the recipe link and make it your own.

The boss-level bake

This isn't your ordinary backyard pie. We're talking slow-cooked beef cheeks, cooked until they're rich and sticky, then encased in flaky pastry and finished on the barbecue. Cook the beef from scratch or use leftover beef cheeks or cubed roast beef. 

The Challenge:
Achieving that unctuous, slow-braised filling, then crisping the pastry evenly — all outdoors and on your Weber barbecue. 

Pro Tip:
Plan this recipe to use up those delicious leftovers from larger cooks. Pies are a great way of using up leftover low and slow meat and they freeze well for later on. 

Accessories You’ll Need:

• Weber Q Trivet and Convection Tray

• Weber Casserole Dish

• Heat Proof Gloves

Full recipe here → Beef Cheek and Porter Pies

The ragu of your dreams.

A shoulder of lamb, slow-smoked until it collapses into a tomato-based sauce. Yes, you can do this on a Weber Q. 

The Challenge:
Achieving a beautifully smoky, tender and pull-apart lamb. 

Pro Tip:
Smoke the lamb with hickory for a more indepth flavour. You won’t regret it. Spritzing the lamb every hour with beef stock deepens all those lovely meaty flavours, which balances with the sweetness of the tomato pasta sauce. 

Accessories You’ll Need:

• Weber Q Trivet and Convection Tray

• Weber Large Casserole Dish

• Wood Chips (hickory)

• Weber Q Smoker Box Kit

• Instant-Read Thermometer or Weber Connect smart barbecue hub

Full recipe here → Weber Q Smoked Lamb Shoulder Ragu

The dessert that dares - don’t tell Nonna.

This dessert rolls up a pavlova base filled with coffee soaked savoiardi biscuits and mascarpone cream — inspired by two of the dessert GOATs. Pull this off your barbecue for some jaw-dropping reactions at your next get together. 

The Challenge:
Creating a flexible, crack-free meringue roll on a barbecue without it drying out or sticking. 

Pro Tip:
Cook low and steady at 150–180°C using indirect heat. Bake on baking paper, then roll while still warm. Timing and a gentle hand are key here. 

Accessories You’ll Need:

• Weber Q Trivet and Convection Tray

Full recipe here → Tiramisu Roll Over Pavlova

The holiday showstopper

A butterflied turkey breast, stuffed, rolled, and roasted to juicy perfection with a sweet-tart cranberry reduction to drizzle over when serving. The kind of cook that earns applause.

The Challenge:
Even cooking and moisture retention — plus mastering the roll and ensuring it stays tight and beautiful.

Pro Tip:
Refrigerating the turkey roll prior to roasting will allow the flavours to enhance and the turkey roulade to firm up. The final doneness temperature for turkey is 74°C. You can take the turkey off the barbecue once it has reached an internal temperature of 71°C, the temperature will continue to rise 3°C to 6°C while resting. 

Accessories You’ll Need:

• Butcher’s Twine

• Weber Q Trivet and Convection Tray

• Weber Small Casserole Dish or Saucepan

• Instant-Read Thermometer or Weber Connect smart barbecue hub

Full recipe here → Turkey Roulade with Cranberry Reduction

The smoky, boozy beauty

Delicate salmon fillets infused with tequila, lime and a hint of fruitwood smoke. Finished with a crisp radish salsa, it’s fresh and fiery. 

The Challenge:
Smoking fish gently without drying it out or overpowering its natural flavour.

Pro Tip:
Brine the salmon 8 hours in advance, then set up your barbecue for indirect heat at 93–130°C. Use mild fruit wood smoking chips like apple or cherry.

Accessories You’ll Need:

• Weber Q Trivet and Convection Tray

• Foil Trays for Brining

• Wood Chips (apple or cherry)

• Weber Q Smoker Boxes

Full recipe here → Tequila-Smoked Salmon with Radish Salsa

These aren’t just recipes — they’re opportunities to hone your technique, experiment with flavours, and experience the full range of what your Weber can do. From sweet to smoky and everything in between, you’ll walk away from each cook with more skill — and serious bragging rights.

Show us what you’ve got @weberbbqausnz using #TameTheFlame
We’re always watching, and we love a good flame-forged hero cook!