Barbecue has been around since the discovery of fire; it's so popular in the South it's considered a cultural icon. The word "barbecue" (barbeque, Bar-B-Q, B-B-Q) comes from the framework used by Indians in the Caribbean, named "barbacoa" by early Spanish explorers. Over time the word came to mean the method of preparation, and often even the event where it's served. Some of the states most well-known for their barbecue are North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama along with Texas and Missouri, a little farther to the west. Barbecue in the South almost always means pork, with a few exceptions; beef is most often the meat of choice for Texas barbecue and mutton is commonly used in some areas of Kentucky.
In North Carolina, pork shoulder is cooked slowly with a little salt or no seasoning at all, then pulled from the bone in chunks or shreds. The finishing sauce, if one is used, is applied after the cooking. Eastern North Carolina sauces are almost always vinegar and seasonings, while the western part of the state uses ketchup in their sauces.
Side dishes and toppings vary widely from region to region, and no barbecue is complete without the right accompaniments. Slaw is a favorite, on the side or as a topping to a pulled pork sandwich. A hearty Burgoo or Brunswick Stew accompanies barbecue in other regions, while others prefer potato salad, beans, cornbread, hash on rice, corn on the cob, french fries, chips or hush puppies.
Recipes
Sauces and Marinades
Crock Pot Barbecue
Grilled Beef, Pork, Lamb
Grilled Chicken, Fish, Seafood
Salad Recipes Index
Potato Salads
Brunswick Stew Recipes
How to Marinate any Food
Net Links
The Classic Side
What to serve with Texas barbecue, by Virginia B. Wood.
A Sampling
Barbecue and side dish recipes from food historians and cookbooks.
Light Rolls
By Maxine Basso, a recipe for light rolls, from The Kansas City Bar-B-Q Connection.
Kansas City Bar-B-Q Connection
Sauces, events, and a forum for discussion.
Rib Recipes
Cajun Ribs and two sauces, from Derrick Riches.
