BBQ hash is a type of shredded or finely chopped meat dish that is a staple in Southern barbecue cuisine. It gets its name from the “hashing” or chopping process used to prepare the meat. BBQ hash has a texture that falls somewhere between a classic barbecue sandwich with sliced meat and a sloppy joe with ground meat.
The tender, saucy meat mixture is served on plates, in sandwiches, and even used as a topping for items like baked potatoes. BBQ hash is especially popular in the Carolinas but can be found on barbecue menus across the American South.
A Brief History of BBQ Hash
BBQ hash has its origins in plantation cooking in the American South. Enslaved cooks were tasked with preparing meats using economical cuts and parts often discarded by plantation owners. These cooks got creative, simmering tougher cuts like shoulder for long periods until fork tender.
The shredded meat was then mixed with spices and vinegar-based sauces, stretching expensive meat and adding flavor. This technique produced tasty dishes like barbecue shoulder hash long before the invention of commercial meat grinders.
These heritage foods became cornerstones of Southern culinary identity. BBQ hash is still celebrated as a staple in the “Carolina barbecue belt” through cities like Lexington and Greensboro, NC and Columbia, SC. It joins other revered regional dishes like brisket in Texas and ribs in Memphis.
How BBQ Hash is Made
While recipes can vary between pitmasters, BBQ hash generally starts with pork shoulder. Other cheap cuts like ham hocks may also be used.
The meat is cooked low and slow, up to 10-12 hours, until very tender. This tenderizing process allows tough cuts to become succulent and shred-able.
Once cooked, the meat is hand-pulled or chopped into small bits or a “hash.” Some cooks pass the meat through a meat grinder for an ultra-fine texture.
The shredded meat is then combined with a thin, vinegar-based barbecue sauce. Mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire, sugar, and other seasonings are used to add flavor.
Stock or water is also added to keep the mixture moist but not soupy. Finishing the hash by simmering or smoking allows the sauce to permeate the meat. The result is a tangy, saucy meat blend that pairs perfectly with soft white bread for sandwiches.
Popular Ways to Enjoy BBQ Hash
BBQ hash is a versatile dish with many delicious applications:
On Sandwiches
Served between slices of white bread, BBQ hash makes the quintessential Piedmont North Carolina sandwich. The soft bread soaks up the tangy sauce for a perfect bite. Adding a slice of cheddar or pepper jack cheese takes it up a notch.
As a Main Course
Piled high over white rice, BBQ hash makes a comforting, protein-packed entrée. You can also serve it with traditional side dishes like baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, and hushpuppies.
In Baked Potatoes
Stuffing BBQ hash into a baked potato makes a satisfying low-carb meal. The hash fills up the potato shell along with butter, cheese, chives, etc.
In Omelets and Breakfast Bowls
BBQ hash mixes seamlessly into cheesy omelets. It also enhances breakfast bowl recipes with eggs, grits, sweet potatoes, etc.
As an Appetizer
Chopped into small bits and served warm or room temp, BBQ hash makes a flavorful dipper for crackers and bread. It’s great for snacking and game day appetizers.
In Casseroles and Skillets
You can incorporate BBQ hash into all kinds of casserole recipes. Try cheesy hash brown casserole or hash skillet recipes with veggies.
How Does BBQ Hash Differ from Other Barbecue Meats?
BBQ hash has some unique properties that distinguish it from other popular barbecue meats:
Texture
Good BBQ hash essentially combines the shredded texture of pulled pork with the soft, crumbly texture of ground meats. This gives it a bit more body and less stringiness than typical pulled pork.
Saucing
While barbecue sauce is typically served tableside as a condiment, BBQ hash is pre-mixed with sauce as part of the cooking process. This allows the tangy sauce flavor to permeate the meat.
Chopping Method
The hand-shredding and fine chopping gives BBQ hash a more consistent, minced texture compared to sliced or pulled pork. It almost has a loose, crumbly consistency like ground beef.
Economical Cuts
BBQ hash makes use of inexpensive, tough cuts that are cooked low and slow. This contrasts with premium barbecue cuts like brisket and baby back ribs.
Regional Style
Hash is specific to North/South Carolina barbecue, while other regions have their own shredded/chopped pork specialties like Memphis chopped pork.
Common Questions About BBQ Hash
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about BBQ hash:
What meat is used to make hash?
The most common meat is Boston butt or pork shoulder. Ham hocks are also used, sometimes together with pork to enrich flavor. Chicken or turkey hash variations may also be found.
Is BBQ hash spicy?
BBQ hash ranges from mild to moderately spicy depending on the recipe. Most versions have some heat from black pepper, crushed red pepper, or hot sauce. It won’t typically be too hot for the average person.
How finely should the meat be chopped?
Proper hash calls for finely chopped or shredded meat, not big chunks. The pieces should be minced into rice-sized bits or a loose crumble. Over-chopping into mush is not ideal either.
How saucy should it be?
The meat should be fully coated by the sauce but not swimming in liquid. Too little sauce and it will be dry. Too much makes it soupy. There should be just enough thin sauce to moisten and season the meat.
Is BBQ hash the same as chicken bog?
While names and recipes vary, chicken bog is more of a bog-style rice dish or casserole containing chicken hash. BBQ hash is the shredded meat mixture itself that can be served many ways.
Can you freeze BBQ hash?
Yes, freezing is great for storing leftover hash. Allow it to cool fully then store in airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen hash keeps well for 2-3 months and can be reheated.
Should hash have vegetables in it?
Some recipes add extras like onions, bell peppers and tomatoes. But traditional BBQ hash is simply shredded meat, sauce, and seasonings. Side dishes provide veggies.
What is the best sauce for hash?
The classic sauce is tangy, vinegary, and spiced with ingredients like mustard, ketchup, hot sauce and black pepper. Tomato-based sauces are not traditionally used.
Is hash better than pulled pork?
It’s a matter of personal taste! They have different textures and flavor profiles. Pulled pork highlights smoky meat flavor, while hash is all about that signature sauce. Fans of both styles can appreciate BBQ hash as another way to enjoy Carolina barbecue.
How to Make Classic BBQ Hash at Home
Making authentic barbecue hash requires patience since the meat must be cooked low and slow. But the reward is incredibly tender, flavorful meat that just falls apart. Follow this recipe for perfect BBQ hash at home:
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds pork shoulder/Boston butt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
- Pat pork dry and rub with oil. Place in slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours until fork tender.
- Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and spices for sauce.
- Once cooked, remove pork from cooker and let rest 15 minutes. Shred meat by hand, discarding excess fat and bones.
- Transfer shredded meat to a bowl. Toss and mix with sauce until fully coated. Add more vinegar, ketchup etc. to taste.
- Return sauced hash to slow cooker on low for 1 hour, until warmed through and flavors meld.
- Serve BBQ hash warm on sandwiches, over rice or potatoes, or as a dip. Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days.
Now you can enjoy authentic Southern-style BBQ hash using this easy homemade recipe! Remix the sauce to your liking and simmer until the flavor permeates the succulent shredded pork.
Tips for the Best Homemade BBQ Hash
Looking to up your homemade hash game? Keep these pro tips in mind:
- Choose nicely marbled shoulder over lean loin cuts foradded moisture and flavor.
- Cut pork into large chunks before cooking for more surface area.
- Add smoked ham hocks or bacon ends for even more smokiness.
- Shred meat by hand for better texture than machine chopping.
- Use a cleaver or chef’s knife to finely mince meat into rice-sized bits.
- Simmer hash after adding sauce to allow flavors to meld.
- Sauce should coat meat but not drown it. Add more as needed.
- Splash in more vinegar and hot sauce if you want extra tang and heat.
- For convenience, cook hash up to 3 days ahead. Just reheat and add sauce.
- Garnish with scallions, hot sauce, shredded cheese, etc. before serving.
- Pepper vinegar on the side complements the tanginess perfectly.
With quality pork shoulder and a nicely balanced sauce, you can definitely compete with the legendary BBQ hash joints of the Carolinas. Adjust seasoning until the flavors are bold and addicting.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover BBQ Hash
Even after feasting on heaping plates of hash, chances are you’ll have leftovers. Luckily BBQ hash keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated and has endless reuse potential.
Get creative with your leftover hash in fun new ways like:
- Hash omelets – Add some crumbled hash into egg omelets with cheese.
- Hashpizza – Top pita or naan with hash, marinara, and cheese for a mini pizza.
- Hash tacos – Stuff hash with all the fixings into taco shells for a BBQ twist.
- Hash eggrolls – Wrap hash and shredded cabbage in eggroll wrappers and deep fry.
- Hash breakfast sandwiches – Layer hash, egg, and cheese between English muffins.
- Hash stuffed peppers – Scoop hash into halved, roasted bell peppers.
- Hash gravy – Thin leftover hash with broth for an instant pork gravy.
- Hash stuffed potatoes – Scoop out baked potatoes and pack with hash.
- Hash nachos – Pile hash and cheese over tortilla chips with toppings galore.
- Hash omelets – Add some crumbled hash into egg omelets with cheese.
With endless possibilities, you’ll look forward to leftovers and discovering new ways to savor that incredible flavor. Embrace the versatility of BBQ hash!
Final Thoughts
Barbecue hash may not be as widely known as ribs or brisket outside the Carolinas, but it holds a special place in Southern culinary tradition. The chopped, sauced pork mixture represents generations of resourceful cooks making flavorful feasts from humble ingredients.
Beyond its origins, hash remains popular because the recipe simply works. Long cooking tenderizes while mingling with bright, tangy sauce flavors. Served up warm and melty in all kinds of dishes, BBQ hash never disappoints.
Part of hash’s charm comes from variations between regions, restaurants, and home cooks. There’s room to improvise based on preference for texture, spice level, sweetness, etc. But the basic formula always applies – low and slow transforming tough but flavorful pork into melt-in-your-mouth, sauce-soaked deliciousness perfect for piling onto bread.
So next time you’re craving authentic Southern barbecue, look beyond the usual ribs and pulled pork. Get adventurous and sample some classic Carolina-style hash. Just be warned – after one bite, you might find yourself hooked!