Some chauvinists claim that BBQ, like jazz, is an American invention. Others point out that roasted meats have existed since naked humans roamed the earth.
Barbeque is derived from the Spanish translation of a Taino Indian word, first recorded in 1526. Its meaning is straightforward: barbecue is a cooking technique that involves direct heat over an open flame or fire. Click Chandler Bbq to learn more.
The word barbecue comes from the Caribbean word barbacoa, which Taino Indians used to describe a wooden rack that they used to slow smoke fish, lizards, and alligator. Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, a Spanish explorer, first used the word in print in 1526. The word spread to other parts of the world, including North America. Today, the word barbecue is commonly used to refer to any type of outdoor cooking, such as grilling burgers and hot dogs, or smoking meat. Many people also use the word to describe the sauce that is served with these types of foods, which is typically sweet and tangy and made from ketchup and vinegar.
In its simplest form, BBQ is the act of cooking food directly over an open flame or hot coals, which adds a distinctive flavor to the food. This method is generally used for meats, as it allows them to slowly cook and become tender, while retaining their natural juices. Many recipes also call for the meat to be seasoned with salt and pepper, or sometimes a more complex combination of spices.
Another popular barbecue technique is to roast meat in an oven, using a heat source such as wood or gas. This is a more involved process, and can take hours to complete. Various styles of meat roasting can be found around the world, from Middle Eastern gyros and Turkish doner to Chinese roasted duck or Korean bulgogi.
A third way to cook barbecue is to use a smoker, a large metal box that is heated by fire or charcoal and is usually covered with hickory or oak chips to impart a unique smokey flavor to the food. This is a great way to cook meat, particularly pork, as it allows the fat and juices to go down, creating a moist and flavorful dish.
Many dictionaries define the term barbecue to include any meal cooked over an open fire or hot coals, whether it be a grilled hamburger or a smoked pulled pork sandwich. Some people argue that this definition is too broad and that it should only apply to a meal cooked in an open pit or a smoker. However, the argument fails to take into account that millions of people, including some of the most respected chefs in the world (James Beard, Julia Child, MFK Fisher, etc), use the term barbecue in this wide sense.
Styles
From the smoky richness of Texas-style brisket to the tangy sweetness of Carolina pulled pork, barbecue styles vary widely around the globe. Each region has its own distinct flavors and techniques, which create unique dishes and barbeque festivals from coast to coast.
In addition to smoked meats, there are also many different types of bbq sauces that define regional styles. For example, Kansas City-style bbq is characterized by tomato and molasses-based sauces that complement the grilled meat. This style is often served with a side of fries or homemade coleslaw. In contrast, Memphis-style bbq is known for its dry rubs and creamy yellow mustard based sauces (via BBQ HUB).
Other regions also have their own special twists on the classic barbecue dish. In Missouri, a staple is pork steak, which comes from the shoulder of the pig and has a distinctive flavor. The state is a hotbed for BBQ competitions, including the American Royal World Championship contest in Kansas City.
The Carolinas are another popular barbecue region with its own particular style, as well as a fierce rivalry between the Eastern and Lexington styles. In the former, whole hog smoking and peppery vinegar-based sauces are popular, while Lexington-style relies on beef ribs and a more traditional tomato based sauce.
There are also a number of regional barbecue styles in Kentucky, with each area having its own unique take on the traditional recipe. For example, mutton is a claim to fame in the western part of the state, while the south-central region offers Boston butt sandwiches with a buttery, peppery vinegar sauce and shredded pork sandwiches covered in a thick tomato-based sauce.
The Caribbean has its own style of bbq as well, featuring marinated meats seasoned with allspice, thyme and fiery scotch bonnet peppers. The smoky, spicy taste of this style is often complemented by the fruity aromas of charred cooking wood.
Another regional style is Hawaiian bbq, which is typically steamed with leaves and aromatics such as banana and taro to lightly season the protein. Laulau can be made with pork, chicken or fish and is usually paired with a plate of rice and vegetables. The other main Hawaiian bbq dish is kalua, which is traditionally slow cooked in an imu using a pig wrapped in taro and banana leaves.
Sauces
A barbecue isn’t complete without a great sauce. Whether as a marinade, basting sauce or dipping sauce, a good barbecue sauce can elevate anything from meats to veggies. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make your own. Creating a barbecue sauce at home is fun, quick and can help you get the exact flavor that you’re looking for.
A classic barbecue sauce is usually made with tomato as the main ingredient and may include ingredients such as vinegar, sugar, molasses and various spices. The sweeter versions tend to compliment meats that have been cooked with a sugary rub, such as ribs and chicken. Vinegar-based barbecue sauces are often found in the eastern part of North Carolina and South Carolina, where they can be used with a variety of dishes.
Other types of barbecue sauces are also based on mustard. These typically have a bright yellow color, and are used with smoked meats like pork. This style of barbecue sauce is most popular in the Carolinas, and can be found in restaurants from Columbia to Charleston.
Another popular type of barbecue sauce is white. This is a creamy sauce that can be used with meats and vegetables. It’s very similar to mayonnaise and is often served with chicken or corn on the cob. It’s also popular in Alabama, and is often used on brisket.
Regardless of the type of barbecue sauce you choose, most pitmasters will agree that balance is important. A sauce that is too heavy in one direction can overwhelm the meal. Likewise, a super simple sauce might not have enough flavor or texture to be memorable.
If you’re going to use BBQ sauce as a marinade or as a glaze for grilled meats, it’s recommended that you let the meat sit in the sauce for an hour before cooking. This will give the meat time to absorb the flavors of the sauce and will help to keep it moist and tender. Putting bbq sauce on ribs before cooking can result in the sugar in the sauce caramelizing over the heat of the grill or smoker, which can cause the meat to become dry and tough.
Cooking
A barbecue can be a fun and social gathering, or it can be a serious culinary event. Whether you’re grilling a perfect burger or smoking brisket, the right techniques are essential for creating an unforgettable meal. The BBQ cooking process involves indirect heat and a lot of patience. This way, you can create a flavorful, juicy piece of meat that will impress your friends and family.
Barbecue is a culinary style with numerous regional variations. It is also a method of cooking food, the devices used to cook it, the broader cuisines that employ this technique, and the restaurants or events that serve them. In its earliest uses, the word “barbecue” means to cook something over a slow fire in the open air, and this is reflected in the names of many traditional barbecue foods, such as chicken (the main staple of most competition cookers).
The most fundamental element of barbecue is smoke. The presence of this ingredient distinguishes it from other cooking methods, and despite all the different ways that people barbecue, it is what unites them all. The smoke enables the meat to become tender and flavorful, while retaining its crisp exterior. In addition to the meat, other food can be barbecued, such as seafood and vegetables.
Using a grill to barbecue is the most common method of cooking barbecue. There are hundreds of different types of grills on the market, ranging from small portable charcoal models to professional commercial smokers. Some of the most popular barbecue dishes include hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket. A recent survey conducted by the reputable data analytics firm YouGov asked 7,680 American adults what dishes would be included on their ideal barbecue plate. The results showed that burgers and hot dogs were the most popular choice, followed by ribs and then pulled pork.
Some barbecue purists claim that real barbecue is cooked low and slow in steel closed “pits,” using indirect heat and smoke. This is a bit of a stretch. After all, the African American slaves who created classic Southern barbecue probably used a similar method to cook fish, lizards, and alligator, all of which are barbecued today.