Gaining Confidence While Cooking

The Difference In Regional BBQ Flavors

The next time you are throwing a casual soiree, consider getting a local BBQ joint to cater. If you live in a bigger city, there may be several different kinds of BBQ to choose from. Each region of the country makes BBQ in its own special way, usually with the difference being the type of sauce used. Here is a handy guide to help you choose the best kind of regional BBQ for you and your guests to enjoy.

The way that BBQ meat is prepared is similar across all of the regions that this type of cuisine is found in the United States. The meat, usually shredded (sometimes called pulled) pork or chicken, whole chickens, halve chickens, ribs, or brisket, is treated with herbs and spices, usually called a rub, then smoked for several hours until the meat is tender and full of charbroiled, smoky, flavor.

Carolina Mustard Style

Hailing from North and South Carolina but found as far west as Alabama, this style of BBQ is the most divergent from what most people think of when they picture traditional BBQ sauce. Carolina BBQ Sauce is made from a base of mustard and cider vinegar. It is especially wonderful on smoked BBQ chicken, but really is quite delightful on any type of BBQ meat.

Alabama White Sauce

Similar to the mustard based Carolina sauce, but with a mayonnaise and cider vinegar base, Alabama white sauce originates from the Northern part of the state while the central and southern parts usually serve BBQ with a tomato based sauce. Alabama white sauce is amazing on smoked chicken or pork.

Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

This is the sauce that most people think of when they picture traditional BBQ. Kansas City BBQ sauce is tomato or ketchup based. It also has Worcestershire, molasses, brown sugar, and liquid smoke. This sweet and smoky sauce is great on succulent, juicy ribs, pulled pork, and pulled chicken.

Kentucky Black BBQ Sauce

Worcestershire is found in most traditional BBQ sauces that are made with ketchup and molasses. In this BBQ sauce, Worcestershire and vinegar are the base, and a dash of nutmeg is added as well. This sauce can be used in the exact same way that traditional tomato-based sauces are used such as on ribs or pulled pork sandwiches.

Tennessee Whiskey Sauce

This sauce is a fun twist on traditional tomato based BBQ sauce. It has all of the regular ingredients such as tomatoes, vinegar, liquid smoke, and molasses, but with whiskey or bourbon mixed in. The sauce is heated and blended, so the alcohol cooks off and just the flavor remains.

To try some local BBQ cuisine, contact a restaurant such as Grumpy's Bar B Que Roadhouse


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