What Is BBQ? Styles, Origin, and How to Plan Your Own

From smoky ribs covered in a spice rub to pulled pork slathered in sauce, BBQ is a uniquely global tradition.

BBQ or barbecue refers to the low and slow method of cooking meat over indirect heat, typically in a barbecue pit. This creates the quintessential smoky flavor BBQ cooking is known for. While there are many different styles of BBQ found in regions all around the globe, smoke is the one thing they all have in common.

Did you know there’s a difference between grilling and barbecuing? Grilling cooks food quickly at high temperatures so, even though grilling is done on a gas or charcoal barbecue grill, it is not considered barbecue.

Where did BBQ originate?

Humans began cooking meat with fire about 1.8 million years ago. So, in theory, you could say that’s when the tradition began. However, the tradition of BBQ as we currently know it—complete with spices and basting sauce—originated in the Caribbean.

The word “barbecue” comes from the Taíno language. The Taíno were an Arawak people who were the indigenous people of the Caribbean and Florida. Their traditional food includes meat grilled on a raised wooden grate called “barbacoa,” which shares the same root.  

4 famous styles of traditional American BBQ

Depending on what part of the country you’re from, the term “BBQ” will mean something different to you. The U.S. “barbecue belt” features 4 distinct traditions of barbecuing—Carolina, Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City. Here’s a closer look at the differences between each one.

1. Carolina BBQ

Carolina BBQ refers to the process of slow-roasting a whole hog for 12 to 24 hours. To keep the meat moist, the pitmaster will typically brush the hog with a mop sauce while it’s cooking. While there are many different variations, mop sauce is typically a thin liquid made with a base of vinegar, tomato juice, beer, or apple cider. However, the Carolinas’ vinegar-based mop sauce reigns supreme.

In western North Carolina, they prefer to barbecue pork shoulders instead of the whole hog. Sometimes, you’ll also find chicken, brisket, ribs, and turkey on the menu. Hickory is the most common type of wood used for Carolina BBQ, although pit masters will sometimes substitute oak instead.

2. Memphis BBQ

Pork is the primary meat used for Memphis-style BBQ, with pork ribs being the most popular. Memphis-style ribs are made wet or dry. Wet ribs are brushed with sauce before, during, and after they’re smoked. Dry ribs are coated with a dry rub, smoked, then served without any sauce. Pork shoulder is another staple of Memphis BBQ. Slow-smoked, pulled, and served with a side of thin, tangy sauce. Restaurants often serve it on a sandwich topped with creamy coleslaw.

Memphis BBQ is traditionally done over hickory wood. However, when pitmasters want a more contemporary flavor, they may choose fruitwoods, like pecan, instead.

3. Texas BBQ

Texas BBQ is known for creating delicious ribs, briskets, and sausages known as “East Texas Hot Links.” While these are the staples, you’ll also find turkey, chicken, and pulled pork on the menu as well.

Texas-style BBQ is often cooked over oak, mesquite, hickory, or pecan. The meats are often coated with a dry rub that’s made with chili powder, dry mustard, and other spices. Many Texas pit masters will also use a thin mop sauce made of meat drippings, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, and hot sauce.

4. Kansas City BBQ

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Kansas City BBQ is the way to go. This style features meats rubbed down in sweet Kansas City rub, which is made of a mix of brown sugar and paprika, covered in a thick, sweet sauce, and cooked over hickory wood. When cooking Kansas City BBQ, it’s important to use low heat so the sugar will caramelize, rather than blacken and char. 

While you’ll find many different types of meats on the menu, burnt ends are the hallmark of Kansas City BBQ. These fatty pieces of meat are cut from the ends of a smoked brisket. They’re super flavorful and are often added to Kansas City-style baked beans.

What are the different flavors of BBQ sauce?

Just as there are many styles of BBQ, there are also many styles of sauce. In general, BBQ sauce could be any type of sauce served with BBQ meat. They are also commonly used as a marinade, baste, condiment, or topping.

BBQ sauce flavors are an endless Venn diagram with a whole lot of crossover. While the ingredients vary, this sauce is often made with a base of vinegar, tomato paste, or mayonnaise. Other common ingredients include onion powder, spices, liquid smoke, and sweeteners.

Here are some of our favorite flavor combinations:

1. Sweet BBQ combinations

Honey or brown sugar-based sauces are classic sweet flavors that add an extra oomph to any melt-in-your-mouth BBQ. Try a fruity flavor if you’re looking for something a little more dramatic. Hickory smoked sweet peach and blueberry BBQ sauce are a delicious balance of sweet, smokey, and tart.

2. Smokey BBQ combinations

Smokey BBQ sauce is a quintessential flavor around the world. Pairing wonderfully with sweet accents, adding a smokey BBQ sauce to your barbecue is a surefire way to win any neighborhood cook-off.

3. Dynamic BBQ combinations

Using a masterful mix of acidic and smokey flavors cultivates a depth of flavor. Noh Foods Bar-B-Q Sauce, for example, uses anchovy to take the flavor to whole new depths. Try a red wine vinegar base cut with your favorite citrus fruits and a splash of brandy for a sangria-inspired BBQ sauce.

More Resources Related to BBQ

If you found this information helpful but you’re looking for more inspiration, consider our additional related resources:

• What is Korean BBQ?
• How to Make BBQ Sauce
• What to Bring to a BBQ
• How to Grill

Plan your own BBQ

With so many different styles of BBQ, the flavor possibilities are endless. Avoid overwhelm and explore recipes and ingredients from the comfort of your home. Order online via Instacart to have them delivered right to your home, hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental. Just fill your cart and choose same-day pick up or delivery at check out.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Uetek 14" Barbecue Grill (each)

40/50 Pound Whole Pig (per lb)

Pork Shoulder Picnic (10 lb)

Pork Back Ribs (7.99 per pound)

Brisket (5 lb)

Stonemill Kansas City Barbecue Dry Rub (14.5 oz)

Chef Isaac Blueberry BBQ Sauce (16 oz)

NOH Foods of Hawaii Bar-B-Q Sauce, Original, Hawaiian (20 oz)

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