Ribs ready for eating at the Rib Cook-Off 2025 in Sparks, Nevada
Ribs Ready for eatin’ at the Rib Cook-Off 2025 in Sparks, Nevada

Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners Revealed

Hey there, BBQ aficionados! It’s Travis Wheeler here, your go-to pitmaster pundit at PopularBBQ.com. Every Labor Day weekend, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, Nevada, crowns the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners, and this year’s event, held from August 27 to September 1, 2025, was a smoky spectacle. With 24 elite BBQ teams cooking over 250,000 pounds of St. Louis-style pork ribs for an estimated 350,000-400,000 fans, the competition was fierce. Curious about the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners? Stick around as we dive into the results, event highlights, entertainment, and more to uncover who claimed the $10,000 grand prize!

History of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off

What is the history of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off? Since 1989, when six competitors reheated ribs over Sterno cans, the Nugget Rib Cook-Off has grown into America’s premier rib festival. Now in its 37th year, this free-admission event spans six blocks of Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada, outside the Nugget Casino Resort at 1100 Nugget Avenue. Sponsored by the Nugget and lauded by USA Today and The Travel Channel, it’s dubbed the “Super Bowl of rib competitions.” Double-blind judging ensures fairness, with teams competing for $19,000 in prizes across categories like best ribs, best sauce, and influencer’s choice. Past Rib Cook-Off winners like Desperado BBQ (2022) and Blazin’ Bronco BBQ (2024) set a high bar for 2025.

Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners and Finalists Revealed

Who are the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners? The 2025 competition saw all six of last year’s award winners return, making the battle for the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners title intense. After days of low-and-slow smoking, the awards ceremony on September 1 at 2 p.m. on the Plaza Stage unveiled the champions. Git-R-Smoked BBQ from Lexington, Kentucky, took first place with their perfect bark and tender ribs, securing the $10,000 prize. Here’s the full list of Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners:

Place/Award Team Location Prize
1st Place Git-R-Smoked BBQ Lexington, Kentucky $10,000
2nd Place Battle Born Smokers Reno, Nevada $5,000
3rd Place Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ Mt. Laurel, New Jersey $2,000
4th Place Aussom Aussie BBQ Sydney, Australia (competing from Pittsburgh, PA) N/A
5th Place Joey’s Texas Thunder Borger, Texas N/A
Best Sauce Blazin’ Bronco BBQ Port St. Lucie, Florida $500
Influencer’s Choice Porky Chicks BBQ Fayetteville, Arkansas N/A
People’s Choice Back Forty Texas BBQ Pleasant Hill, California N/A

Among 24 competitors, including local favorites like Men Wielding Fire from Reno and international teams like Rasta Joe’s BBQ from Indiana, Git-R-Smoked’s victory marked their second title (first in 2021), solidifying their status among Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners.

Team celebrating with trophy and check at Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners ceremony in Sparks, Nevada
The triumphant team posing with their $10,000 check and trophy at the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners ceremony.

Spotlight on Top Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners

What made the top Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners stand out? Let’s dive into what made these Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners stand out:

  • Git-R-Smoked BBQ: Their ribs, with a deep smoke ring and sweet-heat sauce, wowed judges.
  • Battle Born Smokers: Reno locals used native woods for a unique flavor, earning second place. Follow on X.
  • Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ: Their bold East Coast flavors secured third.
  • Blazin’ Bronco BBQ: Last year’s champs won Best Sauce with a tangy, fiery blend.
  • Porky Chicks BBQ: Their juicy ribs earned the Influencer’s Choice award, perfect for social media.
Battle Born Smokers booth with flags and signage at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Battle Born Smokers’ vibrant booth, showcasing their Reno pride and award-winning history at the 2025 event.
Texas Thunder booth with large bull sign and menu boards at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
The iconic Texas Thunder booth, drawing crowds with its legendary Texas-style ribs and bold signage.
Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ booth with colorful signs and crowd at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ booth bustling with attendees, highlighting their prize-winning East Coast BBQ flavors.
Back Forty Texas BBQ booth with championship banners at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Back Forty Texas BBQ’s booth, celebrated for its People’s Choice win and authentic Texas barbecue.

Event Highlights and Entertainment at Rib Cook-Off 2025

What were the highlights of the Rib Cook-Off 2025 event? Beyond the competition for Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners, the festival was packed with fun. Free concerts on the Main Stage featured the Ying Yang Twins (August 27, 7-9 p.m.), Tim Montana (August 28, 7-9 p.m.), Sister Hazel (August 29, 7-9 p.m.), Revisiting Creedence (August 30, 7-9 p.m.), Collin Raye (August 31, 7-9 p.m.), and Red Hot Tribute (September 1, 2:30-4:30 p.m.). The Kids’ Zone, Crafters’ Crossing, and rib-eating contests kept families engaged. The Rib Village offered VIP all-you-can-eat buffets ($55 for lunch, $1,100-$1,600 for tables) with unlimited drinks (21+ for alcohol, no pets or strollers).

Sister Hazel lead singer Ken with a fan wearing a PopularBBQ.com shirt at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Sister Hazel lead singer Ken with a fan wearing a PopularBBQcom shirt
Sister Hazel performing on stage with red lights at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Sister Hazel energizing the crowd on the Main Stage under vibrant red lights during the 2025 Rib Cook-Off.
Kids' Zone with colorful rides at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
The colorful Kids’ Zone, complete with rides and activities, providing family-friendly fun amid the BBQ festivities.

With mid-80s sunny skies, the event saw record attendance, supported by shuttles from Reno-Sparks Livestock Center and Greenbrae Shopping Center. Victorian Avenue closures from 14th Street to Pyramid Way lasted until September 4, but the electric atmosphere celebrating the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners kept spirits high.

Sunset casting a golden glow over crowds and vendors at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
The sun sets on the Best in the West Rib Cook Off casting a golden glow over the bustling crowds and vendors
Night view of Welcome Nugget Rib Village entrance at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
The illuminated entrance to the Nugget Rib Village at night, inviting attendees to the VIP all-you-can-eat experience.
Seating under large tent in Rib Village at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Spacious tented seating in the Rib Village, set up for guests to enjoy unlimited ribs and drinks in comfort.
Pitmaster brushing sauce on ribs at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
A skilled pitmaster applying the final sauce touches to rows of smoking ribs at one of the competition booths.
Close-up of glazed ribs in a takeout container from 2025 Rib Cook-Off
A mouthwatering close-up of tender, sauce-glazed ribs ready to be devoured by festival attendees.

Vendor Spotlights: Must-Try Finds from Rib Cook-Off 2025

What were the top vendor finds at Rib Cook-Off 2025? While ribs stole the show, vendors added flavor to the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners’ celebration. Here are my top picks:

  • Tio Marcos: Their fresh, zesty salsas were a perfect BBQ pairing.
  • Ryan Alarie Seasonings: Sugar-free, vegan, low-sodium, gluten-free, and non-GMO options for health-conscious BBQ fans.
  • The Bumper Bar: A portable bar system ideal for tailgating or outdoor events.
  • Fair Pretzels: The jalapeno pretzels were crispy, spicy, and addictive.
  • Moonshine BBQ: Their smoked meats complemented the rib-heavy lineup.
  • Joshua Lee’s BBQ Pit: Their sampler, with stellar mac-n-cheese, ribs, and brisket, was a standout.
Tio Marcos booth showcasing veteran-owned Arizona salsas at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Tio Marcos booth showcasing their veteran owned Arizona favorite salsastried and loved for their incredible flavor
Ryan Alarie Seasonings display with sugar-free, vegan options at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Ryan Alarie Seasonings display featuring sugar free vegan low sodium gluten free and non GMO options perfect for any BBQ
The Bumper Bar booth showcasing a portable bar system at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
The Bumper Bar booth highlighting the worlds first compact portable barideal for tailgating or outdoor adventures
Fair Pretzels offering spicy jalapeno pretzels at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Fair Pretzels offering their spicy jalapeno versiona must try that did not disappoint with its perfect crunch and heat
Moonshine BBQ serving smoked meats at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Moonshine BBQ serving up some delicious smoked meats that added variety to the rib heavy lineup
Joshua Lee's BBQ Pit sampler with ribs and mac-n-cheese at 2025 Rib Cook-Off
Joshua Lees BBQ Pit sampler featuring tender meats and what might be the best mac n cheese Ive ever tasted

Why Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners Define America’s Top BBQ Event

Why do the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners define America’s top BBQ event? This isn’t just a food fest—it’s a BBQ ritual. The aroma of cherry and hickory, pitmaster camaraderie, and free entry make it elite yet accessible. Media buzz from KTVN, KOLO-TV, and #NuggetRibCookOff hashtags keep it trending. The Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners add to its legacy as Nevada’s Labor Day staple.

Social Media Buzz: Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners

What was the social media buzz around Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners? The Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners sparked a social media frenzy! Here’s a glimpse of posts from participants, sponsors, and visitors:

Join the conversation! Search #NuggetRibCookOff on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to see more from the 2025 event!

Final Thoughts from Travis Wheeler on Rib Cook-Off 2025 Winners

What are Travis Wheeler’s final thoughts on the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners? What a smokin’ year for the Rib Cook-Off 2025 winners! Congrats to all the champs for ribs with snap and sizzle. Missed it? Mark your calendar for 2026. As I always say, “If your bark ain’t got snap, it’s just meat leather.” Share your favorite moments below and follow us on X for more BBQ scoops!

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