Calling all Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue fans. All the recipes you need to recreate your favorite meal from this location. You’ll find recipes for cole slaw, corn on the cob, cornbread, BBQ baked beans, BBQ ribs, BBQ rub and S’mores Bake they served at the Big Thunder Ranch. If you loved dining at this location in Frontierland years ago then you’re going to love these round up of recipes that I’m sharing. These are all original recipes from the Disneyland park. A sweet follower sent me some and the rest I found on the Disney Parks Blog.
Big Thunder Ranch was an area north of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with an outdoor petting zoo, a walk-through log cabin, entertainment and served a delicious BBQ lunch/dinner. The menu included barbecue favorites like BBQ ribs, chicken, baked beans, corn bread, corn, coleslaw and a S’mores Bake.
Big Thunder Ranch closed permanently on January 11, 2016 and now is home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. But don’t worry if you’ve missed this outdoor BBQ meal it’s time to start cooking up these sweet recipes from the chefs who created them. This post includes the following recipes…
- Big Thunder Ranch Ribs
- Big Thunder Ranch Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub
- Big Thunder Ranch Cornbread
- Big Thunder Ranch Corn on the Cob
- Big Thunder Ranch Cole Slaw
- Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Seasoning
- Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Baked Beans
- Big Thunder Ranch S’mores Bake
First up the recipe for Big Thunder Ribs including the Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub that makes this recipe a hit! This is the original recipe created by Chef Sean Layne. 
This next recipe came from City Hall at Disneyland. It’s the perfect side to any barbecue meal.
Cornbread
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup salad oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
Combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix on medium/high for 2 minutes. Add 2/3 cup milk and mix until well blended. Add the flour and baking powder. Mix until well blended, about 4 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Add 1/3 cup milk and cornmeal. Mix for 5 more minutes.
Pour into greased 9×13 pan. Bake at 375 degrees until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (about 22-28 minutes). Serve with honey butter.
Big Thunder Ranch Corn on the Cob
Don’t forget to add this side to your meal. Another original recipe created by Chef Sean Layne.
Big Thunder Ranch Cole Slaw
You can also add a side of cole slaw to your meal. Another recipe shared on the Disney Parks Blog.
Cole Slaw – Serves 6 to 8
- 1/2 cup white-wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 pound shredded green cabbage (about 1/2 large cabbage)
- 1 pound shredded purple cabbage (about 1/2 large cabbage)
- 2 carrots, shredded
Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne in a blender; blend on low speed until sugar is dissolved.
With blender running, slowly pour oil through top of lid, processing until dressing is combined. Set aside.
Combine shredded cabbage and shredded carrots in a separate large bowl. Add dressing, tossing to combine. Refrigerate for 2 hours, tossing occasionally, before serving.
Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Baked Beans
Well no barbecue dinner is complete without barbecue baked beans. This recipe was also created by Chef Sean Layne. To make these beans you use the Big Thunder BBQ Seasoning recipe found below. 
Big Thunder Ranch S‘mores Bake
Finally to top off your BBQ meal add this S’mores Bake. This dessert was only on the menu for a short time. Chef Craig Orrell created the recipe with Chef Toby Hollis at Disneyland. Here is the original recipe shared on the Disney Parks Blog.
S‘mores Bake – Serves 8
- 1 (10.5-ounce) box fudge brownie mix
- 1 (1-pound) bag large marshmallows
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce, warmed
- 8 graham crackers
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 cake pan with cooking spray. Prepare brownie batter per package directions and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.
- Turn oven to broil.
- Place marshmallows over brownies. Leaving oven door ajar, place marshmallow-topped brownies under broiler 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown, watching very closely to avoid burning.
- Drizzle hot fudge sauce over top of toasted marshmallows.
- Take half of the graham crackers and break them into planks; crush other half of graham crackers into crumbs.
- Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over top of toasted marshmallows, and place graham cracker planks randomly into toasted marshmallows. Serve immediately.
I hope you enjoy a fun barbecue meal and it takes you back to the days when Big Thunder Ranch was open. If you’re looking for more recipes from the parks check out more on my blog over here.
