Category: Pork

Pork Candy on a Stick: Sweet, Spicy, and Totally Addictive

11/8/2025

Some recipes are just fun — and Pork Candy on a Stick is one of them. Sticky, smoky, sweet, and spicy, this snack takes strips of side pork, smokes them until crisp, and then coats them in a glossy layer of Spicy Pork Sauce before candifying them on the grill.
It’s finger food at its finest — messy, bold, and guaranteed to disappear the second you set it out.

Why Pork Candy Works

Crispy texture – side pork grilled until golden and crunchy.

Sweet-heat glaze – the perfect mix of honey, hoisin, chili powder, and Spicy BBQ Sauce.
Portable fun – skewers make it easy to serve at parties or tailgates.
Grill showstopper – looks just as good as it tastes.

This isn’t just pork on a stick. It’s candy for carnivores.

Ingredients

1 lb side pork
Spicy Pork Sauce (recipe follows)
Skewers

Directions

Thread strips of side pork onto skewers.
Place skewers on your smoker or Pit Boss Grill and cook low and slow until the pork is crisp.
Brush generously with Spicy Pork Sauce.
Return to the grill and cook until the glaze caramelizes, giving the pork a candied finish.
Serve hot — napkins required!

Pro Grill’n Tips
🔥 Choose your skewers wisely: Metal skewers hold up best over direct heat.
🔥 Caramelize, don’t burn: Watch closely once you add the sauce — the sugar content means it can go from candy to char quick.
🔥 Mix it up: Try this with chicken wings or ribs for a sticky-sweet twist.
🔥 Serve as apps: These skewers make an epic game day snack or backyard party treat.

The Final Bite
Pork Candy on a Stick is smoky, sticky, and irresistible — everything backyard grilling should be. With the bold heat of the Spicy Pork Sauce and the crunch of side pork, this treat is sure to become a fan favorite.
When Mad Dog & Merrill® say it’s candy, they mean it. Grab some skewers, fire up the Pit Boss, and get ready for one unforgettable bite.

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Spicy Pork Sauce: Sweet Heat for the Grill

11/8/2025

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Some sauces are good. Some sauces are legendary. This Spicy Pork Sauce lands firmly in the second category. With the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy, it’s a glaze that transforms pork into sticky, finger-licking perfection. Whether you’re brushing it on ribs, glazing chops, or candifying side pork on a stick, this sauce is pure magic.

Why You’ll Love It

Sweet & Sticky – thanks to honey and hoisin sauce.
Smoky & Bold – with Mad Dog & Merrill® Spicy BBQ Sauce.

Fiery Kick – courtesy of chili powder and crushed red peppers.
Versatile – works on pork, chicken, wings, or even veggies.

This isn’t just a sauce — it’s the ultimate grill glaze.

Ingredients

3 tbsp hoisin sauce
½ cup Spicy BBQ Sauce (Mad Dog & Merrill®)
¼ cup honey
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp crushed red peppers

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, Spicy BBQ Sauce, honey, chili powder, and crushed red peppers until smooth.
Taste and adjust: add more honey for sweetness or extra crushed red pepper for heat.
Use immediately to brush over pork, or store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

Pro Grill’n Tips
🔥 Double it up: This sauce goes fast. Make a larger batch for parties.
🔥 Layer the flavor: Brush it on once while grilling, then again at the end for a glossy, candied finish.
🔥 Mix & match: Try it on wings, ribs, or even roasted veggies for a spicy-sweet twist.

The Final Bite
If you love your pork with a little kick and a lot of flavor, this Spicy Pork Sauce is your new go-to. It’s quick to whip up, loaded with bold taste, and guaranteed to keep your guests coming back for more.
So grab your whisk, fire up the Pit Boss, and let Mad Dog & Merrill® bring the heat to your next cookout.

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Loin Chop Sandwiches with Southwestern Style Cabbage

11/8/2025

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Looking to upgrade your sandwich game? Forget deli meat — we’re talking thick, juicy pork loin chops grilled to perfection on a Pit Boss, seasoned with bold spices, and stacked high on a bun with a mound of Southwestern Style Cabbage. This isn’t just a sandwich… it’s a full-on flavor explosion.

Why This Sandwich Works

Big & Bold: Pork loin chops bring hearty, meaty bite.
Southwestern Flair: Seasoned with cumin, thyme, lime chili, and Up Nort Peppery for smoky spice.

Cheesy Veggie Power: The colorful cabbage topping (loaded with cheddar and Cherry BBQ Sauce) adds crunch, tang, and melt.
Perfect Build: Toasted bun, juicy chop, smoky cabbage… every layer pulls its weight.

This sandwich is as much backyard showstopper as it is comfort food.

Ingredients

1 pork loin
2 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp thyme
2 tbsp lime chili seasoning
2 tbsp Up Nort Peppery (Mad Dog & Merrill®)
2 tbsp cooking oil
Southwestern Style Cabbage (recipe follows)
Buns

Directions

Cut pork loin into thick chops.
Mix cumin, thyme, lime chili seasoning, and Up Nort Peppery into a dry rub.
Coat pork chops generously on both sides with seasoning.
Heat the Pit Boss Griddle and drizzle with cooking oil.
Place chops on the griddle and grill until internal temp reaches 140°F.
Build the sandwich: buns → pile of Southwestern Style Cabbage → grilled pork loin chop → top bun.

🔥 Serve hot and watch the smiles.

Serving Ideas

Pair with tortilla chips and salsa for a full Southwestern plate.
Swap buns for flour tortillas and make it a pork chop taco.
Add a splash of Sun Drop® on the side — the citrus zing balances the smoky heat.

The Final Bite
This Loin Chop Sandwich isn’t just dinner — it’s a statement. It’s smoky, juicy, spicy, cheesy, and stacked with the kind of flavor only Mad Dog & Merrill® Midwest Grill’n can deliver. Fire up your Pit Boss and prepare to impress.

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The Ultimate Homemade Brat Patties (Grilled to Perfection on a Pit Boss)

11/3/2025

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When it comes to Wisconsin traditions, brats are right at the top of the list. But what if we told you that you could skip the casing, throw tradition on the griddle, and sink your teeth into the juiciest Homemade Brat Patties you’ve ever had? That’s right — this is brat night, reinvented.

We’re talking brat flavor, burger style, cooked up hot and fast on a Pit Boss Griddle with all the smoky goodness you crave. Add a tangy sauerkraut topping, pile it high on a bun, and you’ve just created backyard legend status.

Why Brat Patties Instead of Brats?
Sure, traditional brats are great, but patties have a few tricks up their sleeve:

No casings, no hassle — just pure brat flavor without the snap.
More topping space — because when you’ve got kraut, mustard, and sauce, you want a sturdy base.
Perfect for grilling rookies — if you can shape a patty, you can cook a brat burger.
Crowd-friendly — one batch makes enough to feed the whole block (or at least your hungriest friends).

Plus, these patties are seasoned just right, thanks to a little Midwest magic and a dash of hot sauce for attitude.

Ingredients

4 lbs ground pork
1 tsp hot sauce (your favorite brand works here!)
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp ginger
Buns (sturdy ones, because these patties mean business)
Sauerkraut topping (recipe follows)

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together ground pork, hot sauce, and all the seasonings. Use your hands — that’s the Midwestern way.
Shape the mixture into brat-sized patties. Pro tip: press a thumbprint in the middle so they cook evenly.
Preheat your Pit Boss Griddle to medium-high heat.
Grill patties until they hit 160°F internal temperature. A quick-read thermometer (and a sharp Rebex Knife for slicing into the first one) makes it easy.
Layer brat patties over sauerkraut topping and sandwich everything inside a toasted bun.

🔥 Serve hot. Watch them disappear.

Sauerkraut Topping
The tangy bite of kraut is the secret weapon that takes these brat patties from “oh that’s good” to “where has this been all my life?” Here’s our go-to kraut topper:

1 jar sauerkraut, drained
1 small onion, diced
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp caraway seeds (optional, but old-school tasty)
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the onion in butter until golden. Add sauerkraut and caraway. Warm through, season, and pile it high on your brat patties.

Pro Grill’n Tips

Pair these with an ice-cold Sun Drop® — because nothing says Wisconsin grilling like a citrus soda on the side.
Want to go spicy? Add jalapeños to the kraut for a fiery twist.
Hosting a crowd? Double the batch. These patties freeze like a dream (just thaw before grilling).

Final Bite
If you’re looking to shake up your grilling routine, Homemade Brat Patties are the answer. They’re bold, juicy, and packed with flavor — perfect for game day, tailgates, or any night you’re craving something Midwest and mouthwatering.
Mad Dog & Merrill® say: ditch the casings, grab the griddle, and let the brat burgers change your life.

👉 Want more recipes like this? Join the Grill’n Club for exclusive e-books, tips, and behind-the-scenes fun from the Midwest Grill’n crew.

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Bacon. Grill at 350.

9/9/2025

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Some recipes are complicated. Some call for twenty-seven spices, two different marinades, and a half-hour of prep time. And then… there’s this.
Bacon. Grill at 350.
That’s it. That’s the recipe.
But if you know us, you know we can’t just stop there. So let’s break down this culinary masterpiece the Mad Dog & Merrill® way.

Ingredients

Bacon 🥓
More bacon 🥓
Did we mention bacon? 🥓

Directions

Fire up your Pit Boss grill and preheat it to 350°F.
Place bacon strips directly on the grill grates or on a grill mat (so you don’t lose a single greasy drop).
Grill until crispy, sizzling, and irresistible.
Eat immediately. (Sharing optional. Very optional.)

Grill’n Tip 🔥

Try a sprinkle of Up North Peppery on your bacon for a smoky kick.
Baste it with Mad Dog & Merrill® Root Beer BBQ Sauce for a sweet-and-savory candied bacon vibe.
Serve it with a cold Sun Drop®—because bacon deserves a citrusy sidekick.

A Bacon Joke for the Road 🥓😆
Why did the pig sit in the shade?
Because he was bacon in the sun!

Final Bite
Sometimes life’s too short for complicated recipes. Sometimes you just need bacon. Glorious, sizzling, can’t-eat-just-one-strip bacon.
So next time someone asks what’s for dinner, just smile and say:
“Bacon. Grill at 350.”
Because really—that’s all anyone needs to hear.

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Pork Candy on a Stick: Sweet, Spicy, and Totally Addictive

Spicy Pork Sauce: Sweet Heat for the Grill

Loin Chop Sandwiches with Southwestern Style Cabbage

The Ultimate Homemade Brat Patties (Grilled to Perfection on a Pit Boss)

Bacon. Grill at 350.

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