Backyard Pitmaster & Recipe Creator at Don’t Sweat The Recipe
About Brad Harris
I’m Brad Harris, the backyard pitmaster and recipe creator behind Don’t Sweat The Recipe (DSTR). Born and raised between California and central Florida, I now call central Alabama home, where my wife Leigh and I share a quiet life with our college-aged daughter and a Pomeranian who refuses to act normal.
Cooking wasn’t always part of my plan. I caught the bug after meeting Leigh—her creativity in the kitchen pushed me to explore flavor, fire, and the fun side of food. Once I picked up a set of tongs, I never put them down.
Together, Leigh and I built Don’t Sweat The Recipe from the ground up. Curious how it started? Learn more about DSTR here. Want to meet the other half of DSTR? Read About Leigh Harris.
Experience in the Kitchen
I’ve spent more than a decade experimenting with barbecue, grilling, and comfort food—learning what makes great food great and how to make it simple for anyone to master. I handle recipe testing, photography, and the step-by-step guides you’ll find throughout DSTR, bringing the same attention to detail to every recipe, whether it’s smoked ribs or skillet cornbread — recipes anyone can master.
My smoker runs year-round. Mild Alabama winters make that easy, and the heat of August never keeps me from firing up the pit. I believe every backyard can turn out restaurant-worthy food once you understand the process—and that’s exactly what I share here.
Beyond the grill, I’m a college football fan who loves turning game days into tasting events. Finger foods, dips, sliders, wings—if it feeds a crowd and makes people happy, it’s in my wheelhouse.
Philosophy & Cooking Style
I believe food should be approachable, indulgent, and fun. Around here, butter, bacon, and heavy cream are all close friends of mine. My goal is to help home cooks make food that feels rewarding without overcomplicating it.
Every recipe on Don’t Sweat The Recipe is tested in a real home kitchen—no studio lighting, no culinary school perfection, just honest food that works. I’m passionate about teaching the “why” behind the cook—not just the steps, because understanding is what gives you confidence at the grill or stove.
Planning a game day? Browse our appetizers for guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
For me, food isn’t just fuel—it’s entertainment, creativity, and connection.
Favorite Recipes
Here are a few go-to dishes that capture what I love about barbecue, grilling, and comfort food:
Connect with Brad
When I’m not behind the grill or camera, you can usually find me live on Twitch as The Burly Earl—cooking, chatting, and turning our favorite recipes into interactive cook-alongs. It’s a laid-back way to hang out, ask questions, and see the process unfold from start to finish.
We also keep the conversation going on our Discord server, where readers and viewers share photos, swap gear tips, and trade their own barbecue secrets. It’s a friendly, food-loving community that’s always growing.
You’ll find me online as The Burly Earl—it’s how most folks know me on Twitch, Discord, and around the BBQ community.
If you’ve tried one of our recipes, tag us or share it! We love seeing what our readers cook up. After all, food is always better when shared.
Brad Harris (a.k.a. The Burly Earl) is the co-founder of Don’t Sweat The Recipe, where he shares approachable barbecue, grilling, and comfort-food recipes for home cooks everywhere.