Suggestions for a relatively "hands off" BBQ

[shify]

Smoked meatballs and smoked Italian sausages. They are among my most requested items. For the meatballs I alternate between a 50/50 mix of beef/hot Italian sausage and ground chicken meatballs. Oddly enough I think the chicken meatballs take the smoke on better

I smoke the meatballs to 155 degrees and then finish them by braising in a tomato sauce. takes maybe 10-15 min to get up to temp but can be held for a while on low heat or even just covered.

Everything can be prepped in advance. I like to mix up the meatballs and even shape them the day before and also make the sauce. For the sauce you can use fire roasted tomatoes to up the smoke flavor. So day of you just light up the smoker and put on the meatballs and reheat the sauce.
Then when the meatballs are braising you can smoke the sausages. They are hands off and take less than 30-45 min. You can finish over a sear if you want but not needed.

I like to serve smoked meatball sliders with provolone and some homemade pickled fresno chiles. And the sausage either with mustard on a hoagie or with sautéed peppers and onions.

[bbq_esq]

I landed on pulled pork (cooked overnight in the PBC - get to try out my new Thermoworks Smoke!) - rested and pulled before guests arrive, hot dogs and burgers (made some practice burgers - ready to rock), smoke queso app and Malcom Reeds bacon candy chicken bites (bacon wrapped thigh chunks), which are cooked all indirect so nice and stress free. Everything else is pre-made or some else is bringing it. WIll post pics!

[DaveD]

Sounds great, good luck!

[Reds Fan 5]

I second the cole slaw/beans the night before recommendations. Sliders are also good for quick cook, easy to serve. Another idea if you can serve immediately off the grill. Our butcher will cut "sizzle steaks" we use for steak sandwiches. They take about 2 mins total over a hot fire. Serve on hoagie roll with some provolone and grilled onion/peppers.

[Attjack]

Smoked coleslaw. Put the cabbage on with the pork butt and give it 10-15 minutes of smoke. Then you can toss it in a bowl in the fridge and dress it when you're ready.