Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up on us. Luckily, there’s always time to cook delicious meat, even if it’s a little last-minute. If you’re cooking something special, we want to see it. Drop your plans in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram.

Now, here’s what we’ve been cooking up all week…

First up, if you haven’t solidified your Valentine’s Day date night, we’ve got some ideas. And these 2026 BBQ flavor trends will give you inspiration for your next smoke. Plus, some must-try recipes for barbecued brined pork loin, smoked blueberry crisp, and reverse-seared steak that will have your steak come out right every time.

It has been freezing and icy across a big chunk of the country. But winter doesn’t get to cancel grilling.

So we’re running the Frozen Flame Challenge through February 28 (11:59pm ET).

We'll pick one winner who shares the best pic/video of grilling in the snow or cold (shoveling out the grill counts). The winner will get an OG DMS Toolkit.

Here's how to enter:

What are you waiting for?! Go get your grill and chill on.

Check out all the details and official rules here.

Every week, we crown the DMS champion of BBQ. And there are only two ways to enter: 1) Submit a pic to the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group 2) Tag us on Instagram. If you aren’t sharing (and competing), what the hell are you waiting for?

This week’s Smoke Show Champ is Leland Woodfin for sharing a real passion for cooking with all of us in the group. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Honorable mention to Amarildo Spirollari for his heart-shaped steak just in time for Valentine’s Day. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Honorable mention to Scott Miles for his dedication to the craft, even in the snow. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Have a Smoke Show submission? Stop wasting your time posting on all those other sites and share it with the Facebook group that gives a damn: Dead Meat Society. Or just tag us on Instagram.

That one story that will make you infinitely more interesting than your know-it-all brother-in-law. Seriously, wtf is that guy’s deal?

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean crowded steakhouses and garlicky sides. Ideally, your partner understands that love is best expressed with fire and properly cooked meat.

This year, couples are turning to smoke, patience, and pit-level precision to celebrate. From curated meal boxes to perfected steak techniques and Valentine’s-inspired smoker recipes, Dead Meat Society is here to make V-Day great again.

When most people think of Valentine’s Day dinner, they think of steak. (Or if they don’t, they should.)

In fact, retailer meal kits (like a new Valentine’s ribeye box from Sam’s Club) are shipping curated steak dinners with dessert for couples who want a quality meal without an overpriced reservation.

Grilling or smoking steak at home means mastering heat. Reverse sear and controlled temperature are the Valentine’s Day hacks worth learning.

Take the guesswork out of cooking the perfect medium-rare and give you a crust worth bragging about. Start with technique.

If you want your Valentine’s menu to stay true to barbecue culture, you don’t have to stop at meat. Smokers and grills have long held dinner classics and desserts.

Traeger’s Valentine’s Day recipe collection includes desserts and indulgent sides that pair with smoke and fire, turning your whole feast into an experience instead of one course.

Your meal could look a little something like this:

Happy Valentine’s Day, DMS.

Like the memes you send back and forth in your group chat, except these won’t get you canceled. Oh, and lots more grill marks.

🥩 BUFFALO BEST: Buffalo sauce is not a generic category. There’s bright, there’s spicy, and there’s “this is painful.” This guide helps you sort them out.

🥩 GRADE GUIDE: If you want to understand why one cut costs more than another, this primer on USDA beef grades gives you the real criteria behind Prime beef.

🥩 MEAT MARKET SHIFT: Steaks and brisket aren’t getting cheaper. Rising cattle costs are changing menus and margins. Important context if you’re feeding a crowd or watching your grocery bill.

🥩 FLAVOR FORECAST: What’s hot in barbecue this year? Think layered seasoning, elevated sides, and innovation grounded in smoke and tradition. These trends can reshape how you build your plate.

Did we miss something? Share it in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

Tips, tech & gear that’ll help you beat your friend’s meat. Wait, that came out wrong…

🥓 PRIME PICKS: From ribeye to wagyu, this article explains which beef is worth treating as a centerpiece and why those pricier cuts deliver more flavor and satisfaction.

🥓 TOP THAT: Steak deserves toppings that respect the meat. These ideas strike a balance between flavor boost and letting the beef speak for itself.

🥓 SMASH METHOD: Smash or pass? TastingTable’s guide takes the guesswork out of burger technique by breaking down when smashing improves the cook, and when it doesn’t.

🥓 MEAT FORTRESS: Some people grow tomatoes. Some grow bark 👇

Did we miss something? Share it in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

Like a Paula Deen cookbook, but with less butter and more BBQ sauce.

Brining fixes what pork loin usually gets blamed for.

Blueberries. Butter. Smoke. A perfect trifecta.

There’s a reason this works every time.

Have a recipe you want to share? Share it in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

A happy ending just for you.

That’s it for this week. If you make any of the recipes above, you’re legally obligated to share pics on the DMS Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram so we can feature them next week (sorry, we don’t make the rules).

And since the only thing that is better than grill marks and ice-cold beer is grill marks and ice-cold beer with a side of dad jokes, we’ll leave this right here…

Dead Meat Society Merch in the wild.

Who else agrees that the stripes were a necessity? Those stripes are a whole vibe and a part of what people remember.

You can grill like a champion with the first edition Dead Meat Society OG Toolkit, complete with…

You can only get the exclusive Dead Roll Tool Carrier with the full kit. What are you waiting for?

As part of our commitment to community, 10% of net profits are donated to charities that matter.