Barbecue, also known as BBQ, is a cuisine that involves cooking meat slowly over low heat and smoke. BBQ is hugely popular across the United States, with each region having its own distinct styles and flavors. But which state truly has the best barbecue? Here’s a detailed look at some of the top contenders for best BBQ state.
Texas
Texas is perhaps the first state that comes to mind when discussing American barbecue. Central Texas style BBQ features slow-smoked beef brisket, with places like Franklin Barbecue in Austin legendary for their incredibly tender and flavorful brisket. The beef ribs and sausages from Texas are also top-notch. Texas BBQ joints also offer sides like coleslaw, beans, potato salad and thick slices of white bread.
Kansas City
Kansas City is situated on the border of Kansas and Missouri and features a barbecue style all its own. KC barbecue tends to use a wide variety of meats like pork, beef, chicken, turkey, sausage and even fish. The sauce is typically a thick, sweet tomato-based sauce with molasses and spices. Burnt ends – the crispy, charred ends of a smoked beef brisket – are a specialty in KC. Served with fries and baked beans, KC barbecue is mouthwateringly good.
Memphis
Memphis barbecue is centered around pork, especially ribs and pulled pork shoulder. Memphis ribs are rubbed with a spice mixture, then smoked over hickory wood for hours until the meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender. The barbecue sauce in Memphis is tangy and thin, often with flavors like vinegar or mustard. Slow cooked pulled pork is also shredded and served on a bun with sauce. Memphis BBQ tastes phenomenal and keeps drawing fans from around the world.
North Carolina
North Carolina barbecue varies from region to region across the state. In the western part of the state,Lexington style barbecue features smoked pork shoulder chopped into succulent bites and served with a vinegar-based sauce. Eastern Carolina barbecue uses the whole hog and a thin sauce made with vinegar and pepper. South Carolina also shares similarities with eastern North Carolina’s barbecue traditions.
Kentucky
Kentucky is known for mutton barbecue, using sheep meat that is slow cooked over smoldering hickory coals until it pulls apart easily. Owensboro is an epicenter of mutton barbecue, also using unique dipping sauces like lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Regional burgoo stews are also an integral part of Kentucky barbecue.
California
California has its own thriving barbecue culture, including Santa Maria-style which uses tri-tip beef seasoned simply with salt, pepper and garlic. Lines form daily at Franklin Barbecue in Austin for their legendary brisket. Memphis barbecue features fall-off-the-bone ribs and pulled pork. North Carolina utilizes the whole hog and thin vinegar sauces. From Texas beef brisket to mutton in Kentucky, each state provides a unique take on classic barbecue. While the debate of which state does it best will rage on, one thing is certain – BBQ lovers are spoiled for choice!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best BBQ States
Which state has the best bbq?
There is no consensus on which state has the absolute best barbecue, as states like Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina, and Kentucky all have their own unique and delicious styles. Texas is renowned for incredible beef brisket, Kansas City for its wide variety of meats and sauces, and Memphis for its slow-cooked pork and ribs.
What is Texas bbq known for?
Texas is most famous for Texas-style barbecue featuring smoked beef brisket, beef ribs, and sausages. The beef is smoked for hours over pecan, oak or mesquite wood. The barbecue joints serve the tender, juicy meat in thick slices along with white bread, pickles, onions, and sauce on the side.
Who has the best bbq ribs?
Memphis and Kansas City are two of the most acclaimed places for barbecue ribs in the country. Memphis is known for its dry rubbed, smoked pork ribs that are so tender the meat falls off the bone. Kansas City has a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce that perfectly compliments their pork ribs.
What city is known for bbq?
Kansas City has a reputation as one of the top barbecue destinations in the U.S. KC has over 100 barbecue restaurants specializing in slow smoked ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and more. Memphis also has outstanding barbecue, particularly dry rubbed ribs. And Texas cities like Austin are pilgrimage sites for brisket fans.
What is Carolina bbq known for?
Carolina barbecue varies by region but is pork-centric overall. Western Carolina features smoked pulled pork shoulder and a vinegar-based sauce. Eastern Carolina barbecue uses the whole hog and a thin, vinegar-pepper sauce. South Carolina shares the Eastern style.
Why is Kansas City bbq so good?
There are a few reasons KC barbecue shines: the meat quality is top-notch, using hickory wood lends great flavor, restaurants offer a wide array of meats and they have mastered their signature sweet, tangy sauces that perfectly complement the smoked meat.
Conclusion
The United States is filled from coast to coast with amazing barbecue destinations. From Texas beef brisket to mutton in Kentucky, each state has perfected its own regional barbecue styles. Kansas City, Memphis and the Carolinas also have world-class BBQ. The competition for the title of best barbecue state will surely continue, but the real winners are the barbecue fans happy to try them all! When it comes to American cuisine, barbecue is a true national treasure.