The Great Canadian BBQ Tour – Stop #2: Ontario

We’re firing up the smoker for our second stop: Ontario’s legendary smokehouse-style BBQ.

Welcome back to the Great Canadian BBQ Tour, where we’re celebrating six unique regional grilling traditions from coast to coast. From fresh seafood in BC to the bold flavours of Ontario’s smokehouses, this summer series highlights local ingredients, regional cooking styles, and the best of what Canadian BBQ has to offer.

This week, we’re heading east to Ontario, where BBQ is all about hearty cuts, low-and-slow cooking, and smoky, savoury goodness. truLOCAL customers in Ontario enjoy access to premium cuts perfect for smoking, grilling, or roasting - and we’ll even introduce you to one of our trusted suppliers, 3Gen Organics.

truLOCAL’s Best of Ontario: Smokehouse Classics

Ontario’s BBQ traditions take their cues from southern smokehouses but with a distinctly Canadian twist - think slow-smoked brisket, tender pulled pork, and plump, juicy sausages. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster with a smoker in your backyard or simply love the flavours of smokehouse BBQ without all the equipment, truLOCAL has something for everyone.

For the Enthusiast with a Smoker

If you’re lucky enough to have a smoker at home, these premium cuts are perfect for crafting your own low-and-slow masterpieces. Each is locally sourced, expertly butchered, and ideal for building layers of flavour over hours of gentle smoke:

Beef Brisket - Known as the crown jewel of any smokehouse menu, this richly marbled brisket stays moist and tender through a long, slow cook. Smoky, savoury, and perfect for slicing or shredding.

Grass-Fed & Finished Brisket - A leaner take on the classic, this brisket still delivers deep, beefy flavour and is perfect for those looking for a more delicate yet satisfying bite.

Pork Shoulder - The ultimate choice for pulled pork lovers. Marbled with just the right amount of fat, it becomes meltingly tender when cooked low and slow, pulling apart effortlessly and soaking up smoky, sweet, and tangy sauces.

Korean-Style Short Ribs - Thinly cut and beautifully marbled, these ribs shine on the smoker or grill with bold marinades that caramelize over the flames, creating a perfect balance of smoky, savoury, and slightly sweet flavours.

Each of these cuts is a blank canvas for your rubs, marinades, and wood choices, rewarding your patience with layers of irresistible smokehouse flavour.

For the Smokehouse Flavour Without the Smoker

No smoker? No problem. You can still enjoy Ontario’s signature smoky taste with these convenient, ready-to-cook products - already infused with authentic smokehouse flavour so you can simply heat and enjoy:

Smoked Sausages - These handcrafted sausages are packed with juicy, savoury flavour thanks to a traditional smoking process and 3Gen’s ethically raised pork. Perfect on the grill, in a bun, or sliced as a smoky addition to salads and sides.

Southwest-Style Marinated Short Ribs - Bursting with smoky, zesty flavour, these short ribs are pre-marinated and ready to cook, delivering big BBQ energy with none of the prep.

Smoked Pork Chops - Thick, juicy, and already kissed by real wood smoke, these chops are perfect for a quick grill or even a stovetop sear - delivering that classic BBQ taste without hours of cooking.

These options make it easy to bring Ontario’s smokehouse spirit to your table, no matter your equipment or experience level, ensuring that everyone can enjoy rich, smoky BBQ flavours at home.

Our Supplier: 3Gen Organics

When you choose truLOCAL pork, you’re supporting family-run farms like 3Gen Organics. Located in Wallenstein, Ontario, the Horst family has been raising organic, free-range pigs for three generations.

At 3Gen, animal welfare, sustainability, and exceptional quality are at the heart of everything they do. Their pigs are raised without antibiotics or hormones, allowed to roam freely, and fed a certified-organic diet. The result is ethically raised pork with incredible flavour - and a farm you can feel good about supporting.

We’re proud to partner with 3Gen to offer their smoked sausages and other premium pork products - perfect examples of Ontario craftsmanship and care.

How Ontario Grills: Recipes Inspired by the Smokehouse

Bring the hearty, smoky flavours of Ontario BBQ to your own backyard with these mouth-watering recipes - all featuring truLOCAL’s premium local meats.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Using truLOCAL pork shoulder, this recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork with minimal effort. A smoky spice rub and low-and-slow cooking create tender, juicy meat perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or piled high on a platter.

Sweet & Smoky BBQ Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone pork back ribs glazed in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce. This recipe highlights the meaty, tender ribs truLOCAL customers love, cooked to perfection and finished with a caramelized glaze straight from the grill.

Smoky Grilled Sausage Skewers

truLOCAL’s smoked sausages are the star here - already infused with rich smokehouse flavour and perfect for quick, flavourful skewers. Juicy, savoury, and great for sharing.

BBQ Short Rib Tacos

With marinated short ribs as the base, these tacos are bursting with smoky, zesty flavour. Tender rib meat pairs beautifully with fresh toppings for a fun and delicious spin on BBQ.

Herb-Grilled Pork Chops

truLOCAL smoked pork chops take on extra depth when paired with fresh herbs and kissed by the grill. Juicy, savoury, and perfect for summer nights on the patio.

Discover these recipes and more on our recipe page, and bring Ontario’s smokehouse tradition home this summer!

Bring the Smokehouse to Your Backyard

Whether you’re slow-smoking brisket or searing up smoky sausages on the grill, truLOCAL’s Ontario lineup brings bold flavours, local craft, and exceptional quality to your BBQ. Each product is hand-selected for its flavour, sourcing, and grillability — all delivered straight to your door.

Next on the Tour: Alberta’s tradition of world-class beef.

Get ready for the heart of Canadian beef country. The next stop on the Great Canadian BBQ Tour celebrates Alberta’s world-renowned ranching tradition with bold, locally raised meats that were made for the grill. From ribeyes to elk sausages, it’s all about big flavour and proud prairie roots.

Article by: Steven Tippin

Posted on July 25th, 2025