Hill Country BBQ: The Best Spots to Savor—DIY Chopped Meal

After a dusty morning conquering the trails of Guadalupe River State Park, our favorite foursome—Mullethead, Millie, Hambone, and Hillary—climbed back into the Chevy Silverado with sore legs, satisfied hearts, and stomachs growling like a pack of coyotes.

“Y’all, I could eat a mesquite tree right about now,” groaned Hambone, dramatically buckling his seatbelt.

“I don’t know about tree bark,” laughed Hillary, “but some smoked BBQ bark sure sounds good.”

Millie, always the voice of reason (and good food), piped up from the back. “Yes, I’m thinking barbecue. Something truly Texan.”

Hillary immediately perked up. “Oh, I could definitely go for some smoky goodness right now. My taste buds are practically screaming for Texas Hill Country BBQ.”

Mullethead, with a sudden flash of inspiration that usually involved either food or a fishing lure, slapped the steering wheel. “H.E.B.! They’ve got those True Texas BBQ restaurants now. We can grab lunch and then load up on groceries for the week. Two birds, one stone!”

Hambone’s eyes lit up. “Mullethead, you genius! That’s brilliant. Post-hike, pre-grocery. It’s efficient, delicious. It is… Texas Hill Country BBQ perfection.”

H.E.B. Texas Hill Country BBQ: Our Road Trip Stop

They pulled into the bustling H.E.B. location in Spring Branch, the aroma of smoked meat already wafting through the parking lot. The two-story restaurant was packed. They found a table, eyes already scanning the menu for serious Texas Hill Country BBQ.

“El Jefe for me,” Mullethead declared, eyeing the sandwich board. “Brisket, sausage, coleslaw. And a Shiner. You, Hambone?”

“Same, partner,” Hambone agreed, his mouth already watering. “You can’t go wrong with proper Texas Hill Country BBQ sausage. And a Shiner, naturally. It’s the law.”

The girls opted for the La Jefa. “Smoked turkey and sausage for me,” Millie smiled. “A little lighter, but still classic Texas BBQ.”

Hillary nodded. “And a Shiner Bock for good measure. Balance, gentlemen. It’s all about balance.”

Their sandwiches arrived, piled high with smoky goodness. The boys dove in, messy but ecstatic. The girls ate with slightly more decorum. The quiet contentment of truly good Texas BBQ filled the air.

Planning Our Next Texas Hill Country BBQ Picnic

Back at Mullethead and Millie’s house, with Cabernets in hand, they reminisced about their Hill Country hijinks and that divine Texas BBQ lunch. The conversation soon turned to future culinary adventures.

“That H.E.B. brisket was stellar,” Mullethead mused. “Got me thinking about making our own chopped barbecue.”

Hambone, ever the instigator, grinned. “A Texas Hill Country BBQ picnic next weekend? I’m in. We’ll need proper chopped pork, though. And some killer coleslaw.”

Millie pulled out her notepad again. “Alright, boys, let’s get these recipes down. Our readers deserve the best Texas BBQ picnic ideas.”

Hillary offered, “And remember, no complicated stuff. Keep it real, keep it Texas.”

Recipe 1: Perfect Chopped BBQ Pork for Sandwiches

A smoky, tender pork shoulder, chopped and slathered in BBQ sauce—perfect for sandwiches that scream Texas pride.

Ingredients:

• 3–4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
• Buns or sandwich rolls

Instructions:

1. Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Mix all dry spices. Rub generously onto the pork shoulder.
2. Set It and Forget It: Place pork in a slow cooker. Add vinegar, apple juice, and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or until fork-tender.
3. Chop and Sauce: Shred or chop pork, discarding excess fat. Mix with defatted juices (see fat separator below) and more BBQ sauce to taste.
4. Sandwich Time: Spoon onto buns, top with coleslaw (see next recipe), and serve with pickles.

Pro Tip Kitchen Gadgets:

• Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker – Built to feed a crowd and handle big ol’ hunks of meat. [Find it on Amazon]
• Bear Claws Meat Shredder – Turn pork into perfection without burning your fingers. [Find it on Amazon]
• OXO Fat Separator – Keep your meat juicy, not greasy. Great for handling leftover cooking juices. [Find it on Amazon]

Recipe 2: Crispy & Tangy Coleslaw (Texas BBQ’s Best Friend)

No Texas BBQ sandwich is complete without a side of crunchy, tangy coleslaw. This recipe is simple, fresh, and the perfect counterpoint to rich pork.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head green cabbage, finely shredded
• 1/4 head red cabbage, finely shredded
• 2 carrots, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Shred and Mix: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage and carrots.
2. Creamy Dreamy Dressing: In another bowl, whisk mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss to Coat: Pour dressing over veggies and toss until coated. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

Handy Tools (Affiliate Picks):

• Mueller Mandoline Slicer – Makes shredding cabbage quicker than a Texas tumbleweed. [Find it on Amazon]
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids – Prep, toss, and store with ease. [Find it on Amazon]
• Cuisinart Box Grater – Ideal for grating carrots or cheese. Strong and dishwasher-safe. [Find it on Amazon]

Anticipating Our Next Texas BBQ Adventure

“So, chopped pork and coleslaw it is!” Millie declared, putting down her pen. “This Texas BBQ picnic is going to be legendary.”

Hambone rubbed his hands together. “I can already taste those sandwiches. Piled high, dripping with sauce… it’s going to be glorious. The epitome of backyard Texas BBQ.”

Mullethead grinned. “Just make sure we remember the Shiner. Can’t have a proper Texas BBQ picnic without it.”

Hillary raised her glass. “To great food, great company, and even greater Texas BBQ plans!”

The clinking of glasses echoed in the comfortable living room. The Hill Country had provided the perfect backdrop for their latest adventure. Now, the promise of homemade Texas BBQ would bring them together again next weekend.

BBQ, Blessings, and Backyard Bonds

There’s nothing quite like hill country BBQ after a long hike and some Texas-sized laughs. Mullethead, Hambone, Millie, and Hillary reminded us that simple food, good friends, and a shady tree can beat any fancy spread.

Whether you’re hiking a State Park, chilling in your backyard, or dreamin’ of smoked meat from your office cubicle, don’t forget to savor the blessings—faith, friendship, and the kind of BBQ that sticks to your soul.

---

Don’t Forget To…

Craving authentic Texas BBQ at home or for your next picnic? Try our chopped pork and coleslaw recipes! Share your favorite Texas BBQ picnic tips or H.E.B. finds in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out our Amazon recommendations for kitchen gear that makes home cooking a breeze!