Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned veteran looking to sharpen your skills, this book is a must-have. Learn how to make great BBQ by reading the secrets and tips of an eight-time Grand Champion. GO HERE to read all about it and get this book now!
Great BBQ Starts Here!
There have only been a few times in my life where I have actually had bad BBQ. I personally think BBQ is one of those things that’s hard to mess up… kind of like pizza. I have eaten mediocre pizza and I have eaten out-of-this-world, amazing pizza. Likewise, it is the same with BBQ. However, do you want it to be mediocre or great? If I am going to spend the money on a nice cut of meat and then time marinating and cooking, I want it to be fantastic! I am willing to bet you feel the same way.
Cooking Outdoors –
For me, there has always been something special about outdoor cooking. Maybe its because I grew up doing this with my dad and it brings back cozy, fond memories of my childhood. Maybe its because I live in Minnesota and when you first fire up the grill in the spring there is nothing quite like it. The smell of the smoke, the sounds of the kids playing outside. The neighbor mowing their grass in the distance. It is one of my favorite things to do and I am happy to share this article with you. My hope is this article will enhance your outdoor cooking experience.
Here is a little fun fact that not everybody knows, the difference between barbecuing and grilling. Barbecuing is done slowly over low, indirect heat and the food is flavored by the smoking process. Grilling is generally done quickly over moderate-to-high direct heat that produces little smoke.
Regions in the United States
While there are many different BBQ styles and regions in America I am going to stick with what I would consider (and many others) the BIG 4. These are in no particular order.
Kansas City Style
Kansas City – This is the BBQ that I am most familiar with. With it’s tangy, sweet; tomato-and-molasses-based sauce, I find this style hard to beat. This style of sauce is what most people think of when it comes to BBQ sauce. I have been to Kansas City a few times. I absolutely love going there. There are great BBQ joints all over the town (and all of the surrounding towns). I plan to go back and try several more restaurants.
Perhaps one of the most famous places to go while in Kansas City is Arthur Bryant’s. This is the one place where everyone goes for great BBQ in Kansas City, myself included. The burnt ends were worth the seven-hour drive alone! I have been thinking about them ever since. Check out the photo of US President Barack Obama ordering at Arthur Bryant’s. LOVE THIS!
Memphis Style
Memphis – Best known for their dry rub pork – predominantly ribs, Memphis is one of the hot spots for BBQ in the United States. In fact, the meat is so delicious when it comes out of the smoker you won’t even need a sauce. Some of the best ribs I have ever had came from the dry rub method. When done properly, no BBQ sauce will be needed. Many BBQ joints in these parts will serve their ribs dry with sauce at the table if you so desire. The sauce you will find here will be a spicey and sweet tomatoey sauce. Here is an interesting fact, due to the proximity of FedEx’s Superhub in Memphis, many of the restaurants are known to overnight ship their products anywhere in the lower 48 states. I can see myself utilizing this in the near future.
Check out this page on BBQ and wine pairing!
Texas Style
Texas – Ask any Texan who has the greatest BBQ in the world and they’re going to say… you guessed it, Texas. As someone who has been there several times, I am not going to argue because they might just be right. If you are looking for beef brisket Texas is the place to go. In contrast to the other three regions that focus on pork, The Lone Star State focuses on BBQ beef and boy do they get it right. We aren’t going to go into this right now, but it should be noted that Texas itself has four distinct styles of barbecue: East Texas, Central Texas, West Texas, and South Texas.
Carolina Style
Carolinas – Though I haven’t visited the Carolina’s it is on my bucket list to hit up some of their Great BBQ joints.
North Carolina is divided into two different styles, Lexington Style and Eastern Style. Both styles utilize the whole hog without specializing in any particular cut. The difference lies in the sauce, Lexington Style is a Vinegar-and-Tomato-Based Red Sauce, while Eastern style is a Vinegar-and-Pepper Sauce.
South Carolina also focuses on the whole hog with the main difference being the sauce. The sauce they like to use in the Palmetto State is a German-influenced mustard sauce that the locals refer to as Carolina Gold.
What is Great BBQ worth to you?
So while it sounds fun to pack up the car and go on a two week BBQ tour of the United States, most of us who live in the real world can’t do that. This BBQ cookbook is a realistic way for you to taste and experiment different styles of Great BBQ without leaving your backyard.
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