A quick guide to some of the country's most loved BBQ styles...
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina features two distinct styles of BBQ:
Eastern style - Whole hog and a vinegar-based sauce
Western style - Pork butt/shoulder and a vinegar-based dip with ketchup
Carolina sides can include red coleslaw, creamy coleslaw, and hushpuppies.
Wood mainly used: Oak, hickory
North Carolina features two distinct styles of BBQ:
Eastern style - Whole hog and a vinegar-based sauce
Western style - Pork butt/shoulder and a vinegar-based dip with ketchup
Carolina sides can include red coleslaw, creamy coleslaw, and hushpuppies.
Wood mainly used: Oak, hickory
MEMPHIS & NASHVILLE TENNESSEE
Memphis is most known for its "dry" (i.e. no sauce) pork ribs while Nashville is known for its hot chicken. IF sauce is used in Memphis, count on it being sweet & tangy. It's not as thick as KC barbecue sauce but not as thin as NC dip.
Tennessee sides can include baked beans and slaw.
Wood mainly used: Oak and hickory
Memphis is most known for its "dry" (i.e. no sauce) pork ribs while Nashville is known for its hot chicken. IF sauce is used in Memphis, count on it being sweet & tangy. It's not as thick as KC barbecue sauce but not as thin as NC dip.
Tennessee sides can include baked beans and slaw.
Wood mainly used: Oak and hickory
KANSAS CITY & ST. LOUIS MISSOURI
Kansas City is known for its thick, sweet sauce and brisket burnt ends while St.Louis is known for its barbecued spare ribs and pork steaks.
St. Louis' sauce is similar to KC's sauce but toned down in sweetness with the addition of vinegar.
Sides in KC can include mac&cheese, french fries and coleslaw.
Wood mainly used: White Oak
Kansas City is known for its thick, sweet sauce and brisket burnt ends while St.Louis is known for its barbecued spare ribs and pork steaks.
St. Louis' sauce is similar to KC's sauce but toned down in sweetness with the addition of vinegar.
Sides in KC can include mac&cheese, french fries and coleslaw.
Wood mainly used: White Oak
TEXAS
Texas = brisket. The end. Oh, I jest. Texas is also known for gigantic beef ribs and pretty much anything else beef! It's just not known so much for pork. If barbecue sauce must be used, make sure it's got a little kick of heat.
TX sides can include baked beans, onion rings and potato salad.
Wood mainly used: Mesquite, hickory, oak
Texas = brisket. The end. Oh, I jest. Texas is also known for gigantic beef ribs and pretty much anything else beef! It's just not known so much for pork. If barbecue sauce must be used, make sure it's got a little kick of heat.
TX sides can include baked beans, onion rings and potato salad.
Wood mainly used: Mesquite, hickory, oak
SOUTH CAROLINA
SC is known mostly for its whole hog, ham & shoulder smoking with a "Carolina Gold" mustard-based sauce, but depending where you live in the state also may depend on the main sauce used (ranges from thin vinegar-based to heavy ketchup-based).
SC sides can include potato salad and Southern-style green beans.
Wood mainly used: Hickory, oak, pecan
SC is known mostly for its whole hog, ham & shoulder smoking with a "Carolina Gold" mustard-based sauce, but depending where you live in the state also may depend on the main sauce used (ranges from thin vinegar-based to heavy ketchup-based).
SC sides can include potato salad and Southern-style green beans.
Wood mainly used: Hickory, oak, pecan
Ready to start cookin' ? Go grab some rubs and let's eat!
