Vida’s Texas Beef Smoked Party Mix
Vida’s Smoked Party Mix has become a family favorite and one of our most requested snacks at tailgate parties, barbecues, and events where we cannot cook on-site. It is easy to prepare ahead of time, travels well, and gives us something with real wood-fired flavor that we can serve just about anywhere. People enjoy it so much that we are regularly asked whether we sell it.
The three varieties of Chex cereal create a light, crispy base, while mixed nuts, pretzel sticks, and your choice of crackers or corn chips make every handful a little different. Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub brings the sea salt, black pepper, garlic, and onion that make this party mix so craveable. It is surprisingly difficult to stop after one serving.
Vida prefers making the party mix with ghee instead of regular butter. Because ghee contains very little water or milk solids, it helps the cereal remain crisp during smoking and after cooling. It is also shelf-stable, making it a practical choice when the party mix needs to be prepared ahead of a tailgate, barbecue, road trip, or market.
Smoked Party Mix with Texas Beef BBQ Rub
Vida Connaughton
24
10 minutes
1 hours 30 minutes
160
American
Appetizer
A good smoked party mix should be crisp, evenly seasoned, and easy to eat by the handful. Corn Chex, Rice Chex, and Wheat Chex each provide a slightly different texture, while mixed nuts, pretzel sticks, and your choice of crackers or corn chips keep every bite interesting.
Ghee provides the richness of butter without adding much moisture, helping protect the cereal’s texture as it smokes. Unsalted butter can also be used, but ghee is our preferred choice when making the party mix ahead of time.
The pellet smoker adds a noticeable layer of wood-fired flavor without turning the mix bitter. Hickory provides the strongest smoke character, while cherry and apple are slightly milder. Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub delivers the salt, black pepper, garlic, and onion that make this family favorite so craveable. Stirring the mixture regularly redistributes the seasoned ghee and gives everything equal exposure to the smoke.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 cup pretzel sticks
- 1 cup Cheez-It crackers, bagel chips, Fritos corn chips, Goldfish crackers, or any combination
- 1/2 cup ghee or unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub
Directions
Prepare the Pellet Smoker: Set the pellet smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit using hickory, oak, or mesquite wood pellets.
- Prepare the Pan: Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil, or use a half-size aluminum tray.
- Combine the Party Mix: Add the Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, mixed nuts, pretzel sticks, and selected crackers or corn chips directly to the prepared pan.
- Season the Party Mix: Pour the melted ghee or unsalted butter, neutral oil, and Worcestershire sauce over the mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub, then gently stir until everything is thoroughly coated.
- Smoke the Party Mix: Place the uncovered pan in the pellet smoker and cook for 90 minutes. Stir the mixture every 15 minutes to redistribute the seasoning and promote even smoke exposure.
- Cool the Party Mix: Remove the pan from the smoker and allow the party mix to cool completely. Serve immediately or transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
