Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A journey through the United States of barbecue
BBC ^ | Caroline Hatchett

Posted on 07/16/2025 5:18:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway

From whole hogs to smoked fish and brisket, this all-American smoke-infused cooking style is as diverse as the US itself – and just as rich in history.

In the US, "barbecue" is both noun and verb – a familiar siren, calling from a squat cinder block building with its smoky aroma of meat and char. Depending where it's prepared, it could be a multi-napkin pulled pork sandwich, a tray of hand-sliced brisket or smoked chicken wings tangy with mayonnaise, accompanied by a litany of rib-sticking sides.

The country's wildly diverse barbecue canon evolved from a single style born during the 17th-Century colonial period in slaveholding states. "Barbecue required the hands and minds of enslaved Americans," said Dr Howard Conyers, a South Carolina-based aerospace engineer, pitmaster and barbecue historian. "They took Indigenous, European and African techniques and, through trial and error, put them all together."

While fire and meat are a global phenomenon, it was the enslaved workers in the US South who turned barbecue into something distinct. They dug trenches, filled them with hot coals and slow-cooked whole animals for plantation feasts, basting – or "mopping" – the meat with vinegar sauce.

As is so often the case, their innovation was born of necessity. "You could feed 50 people to 10,000 people in a day at a time when you didn't have refrigeration," said Conyers.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Hobbies; Local News
KEYWORDS: barbecue; bbq; cookery; food; slaverypropaganda

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last
To: Georgia Girl 2

I know exactly what you mean. That you order those is from them is high praise!


41 posted on 07/16/2025 7:02:16 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Savage Beast

That funny. I thought BBQ was Southern, not Western.


42 posted on 07/16/2025 7:03:24 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege
There needs to be some sort of FR cookout to travel to!

Perhaps in the style of a BBQ competition, with a little bit of, “Dan’s Bake Sale” on the side. Maybe even turn into a fund raising event for FR.

43 posted on 07/16/2025 7:04:36 PM PDT by HusbandMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

My son live in the SF Bay Area, and he tells me all the time that they don’t have good Southern style Bbq there. He dreams of opening up a spot, and “dressing” things up so the hoity toity types would frequent it, but I tell him that’s not genuine. If you want southern, you’ve got to do southern. It’s not fancy. It IS good!


44 posted on 07/16/2025 7:06:50 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Liz

Stop the teasing. It is painful.


45 posted on 07/16/2025 7:10:14 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Liz

That ain’t barbecue.


46 posted on 07/16/2025 7:11:28 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Liz

Those go better with fried catfish.


47 posted on 07/16/2025 7:13:08 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

“Another take on BBQ ribs is sous vide”

Since there is only the two of us we just BBQ one rack of Ribs at a time. My go to is a modified 3-2-1 cooking method. I go 2-2-20 min.

2 hours uncovered at 230f. 2 hours in heavy duty foil. Rest the ribs while bring the BBQ up to 400f, then sauce and turn two times. Done


48 posted on 07/16/2025 7:13:40 PM PDT by DAC21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DAC21

Sounds great. I’ll be over in ten minutes.


49 posted on 07/16/2025 7:14:31 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: crusty old prospector; Liz

I agree. Doesn’t look like the Southern BBQ I’ve ever seen.


50 posted on 07/16/2025 7:25:00 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: crusty old prospector; Liz
This is closer to what I’m talking about. This has bbq chicken vs a brisket or tri tip. The sides are closer, too, but mine are prettier, and I bet, a little yummier.

IMG-2952

51 posted on 07/16/2025 7:37:55 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

I used to fly with a guy who was a big BBQ guy. We tried a bunch of different types, I lived in NC twice, NC is really good, KC is also good and saucy, Texas brisket is good.

There is good stuff from all of them.
Enjoy.
May God bless.


52 posted on 07/16/2025 7:41:19 PM PDT by phormer phrog phlyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FamiliarFace

Now, that looks like something you would get at Piccadilly’s. The Texas barbecue picture is what I am familiar with.


53 posted on 07/16/2025 7:41:38 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

They’re a GA thing. They started on Buford Highway in Chamblee way back in the 80s. I mean obviously that style of cooker is many hundreds of years old, over a thousand. But BGE started in the ATL area way back in the early 80s, and was really the beginning of that phenomenon in the U.S.

I honestly never used mine much until I married it up with modern technology. Fiddling with the vents to maintain temperature was just a huge PITA. The Thermoworks Signals and Billows solved that problem for me. 225F low and slow? No problem, now!


54 posted on 07/16/2025 7:50:06 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: crusty old prospector

I’m not familiar with Piccadilly’s and I don’t think there are any in Florida. I lived in Texas for 4 years, but I never got accustomed to the differences. It truly is the Lone Star state.

The best culinary thing I can think of from Texas is the Brownsville type of Tex/Mex. Truly wonderful stuff.


55 posted on 07/16/2025 7:51:07 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

For the best Carolina chopped pork it’s the Skylight Inn at Ayden, NC. BBQ or Chicken either one. And also nearby is B’s, Bum’s, Sam Jones and down the road is Grady’s. Stubb and Son in Sanford and Wilbers in Goldsboro. Hursey’s in Burlington and Stamey’s in Greensboro. Have at it!


56 posted on 07/16/2025 8:12:58 PM PDT by pangaea6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The BBQ in Central Texas is legendary and the BBQ family feuds are even more legendary. Those dudes are serious.


57 posted on 07/16/2025 8:16:28 PM PDT by Round Earther
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Liz; FamiliarFace
Nope.....white bread only.......Texans say hush puppies are for sissies....../s.

And this Texan is not a fan of mac & cheese. 😏

Hush puppies are good with fried fish. I’ve never heard of them being served with ‘cue.

58 posted on 07/16/2025 8:47:28 PM PDT by Allegra (Thank you for your attention to this matter. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Liz

Those are served as a side to catfish in these parts. Never BBQ.


59 posted on 07/16/2025 8:57:26 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear ("Uncle Sugar" is being audited and having an enema.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Savage Beast

Different cook methods and sauces. Always regional.


60 posted on 07/16/2025 8:58:26 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear ("Uncle Sugar" is being audited and having an enema.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson