How It All Started
Hi! We’re Leigh and Brad Harris, the husband-and-wife team behind Don’t Sweat The Recipe.
This site began in 2015 after yet another disappointing dinner out. We came home frustrated — not just because the food didn’t live up to the hype, but because we knew we could make something better at home for a fraction of the cost.
So, we did.
That one meal sparked an idea that became Don’t Sweat The Recipe — our online kitchen for sharing tried-and-true family favorites and new dishes we’re constantly testing, tweaking, and tasting. More than a decade later, we’re still cooking, still learning, and still proving that home-cooked food beats takeout every time.
So, Don’t Sweat The Recipe was born — a reminder not to stress out in the kitchen. Don’t overthink it. Don’t be afraid to try. Food should be fun, not intimidating.
Who We Are
We’re a southern-based husband-and-wife duo with one amazing daughter and a pomeranian who thinks she runs the place. The winters here are mild, the summers are brutal, and we grill right through both.
Leigh leads recipe development and photography, crafting flavor-forward dishes that feel special without being complicated. Brad handles the barbecue, photo editing, and technical side of the site.
Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT, we host a live cooking stream on Twitch — testing recipes, answering questions, and showing that cooking at home doesn’t need to be perfect to be delicious.
Together, we test, photograph, and write every recipe that appears on the site.
Meet the Authors
Want to learn more about the people behind Don’t Sweat The Recipe?
We’re the team that tests, photographs, and writes every recipe you see here — no ghostwriters, no outsourced content.
- Brad Harris — Co-Founder, Backyard Pitmaster & Recipe Creator. Brad brings the smoke, flavor, and tech that keep our kitchen (and site) running.
- Leigh Harris — Co-Founder, Avid Baker & Recipe Developer. Leigh crafts approachable desserts and comfort dishes that work every time.
Our Philosophy
Our food philosophy is simple: make it delicious, make it doable, and make it worth your time.
We don’t post the losers — only recipes that have been tested, tasted, and refined in our own kitchen. Every recipe must be:
- Reliable – Clear instructions and repeatable results.
- Flavor-First – Real butter, real seasoning, no shortcuts that sacrifice taste.
- Approachable – Everyday ingredients, nothing pretentious.
- Tested Together – If we wouldn’t serve it to our friends, we don’t post it.
We fund our work through standard display ads, not paid sponsorships or brand deals. That independence lets us stay honest — recommending only what we actually use and love.
What People Are Saying
We’re grateful for the home cooks who share their results — here’s what a few have said about our recipes:
“These are hands down the best ribs we’ve ever eaten. The instructions are bang on! Thanks so much for sharing we are eating them all the way up in Saskatchewan, Canada!”
-Julie
Try the Fall Off The Bone St. Louis Style Ribs.
“I’m not a big fan of coconut, but this has got to be one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten. Made it for Easter. Everyone was going on and on about how delicious it was. Took a small dish to a friend to try and he said he would pay me to make it for him. Definitely a winner! Thanks for sharing!”
-Kimberly M.
Try the Coconut Cream Lush.
“This is exactly the chicken stew recipe I was looking for. Absolutely delicious and comforting. I just made it for the 3rd time in as many months. Thank you for including the ingredient amounts in the directions!”
-Shawn
Try the Easy Creamy One Pot Chicken Stew.
What You’ll Find on Don’t Sweat The Recipe
Over the years, Don’t Sweat The Recipe has grown into a mix of comfort, creativity, and community. Whether you’re firing up the grill, planning a weeknight dinner, or tackling a new dessert, you’ll find recipes designed to build confidence and reward your effort with big, satisfying flavor.
- Comfort food & Southern favorites.
- Grilled and smoked meats that turn out perfectly every time.
- Quick, practical weeknight meals that don’t break the bank.
- Step-by-step photography and cooking tips for clarity.
- Live cooking streams where we test recipes and answer your questions.
Everything you’ll find here is meant to help you cook with confidence. We want you to feel excited—not intimidated—every time you step into the kitchen. Because when the food’s good and the company’s better, you’ve already done it right.
Browse comfort food, BBQ, and weeknight wins.
Behind the Name
“Don’t Sweat The Recipe” was born from our belief that cooking should be approachable and enjoyable. It’s a reminder to relax, have fun in the kitchen, and not stress over perfection.
You don’t have to be a chef to make great food. Everyone burns something now and then — what matters is that you keep cooking and have fun doing it.
That motto still drives everything we do here.
Join Us Live
Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT, we go live on Twitch to cook new recipes, troubleshoot viewer questions, and sometimes set off the smoke alarm. It’s unscripted, messy, and a lot of fun — just like real cooking. Come hang out, ask questions, and cook with us!
Want to stay connected between streams? Join our Discord community to share your own dishes, swap tips, and talk all things food.
Thank You For Being Here
We’re grateful for everyone who reads, cooks, and shares our recipes. This site exists because of you — the home cooks who believe great food doesn’t have to be fancy or stressful.
Don’t sweat it — just cook. We’ll help you along the way.