Barbecue (BBQ) is one of those foods that will make anyone’s mouth drool. What could be better than meats and veggies, smoked low and slow, until they are tender and fall apart? And, depending on who you ask, Texas Barbecue is the King of BBQ.
Whether you are using charcoal or pellets, you can’t go wrong with barbecue. At Keukenvurr, we prefer smoking our meats on a Kamado Joe Grill. And it is perfect every time.
Have you ever wanted to make your own Texas BBQ? We are excited to offer cooking classes on our Kamado Joe. In our fancy workshop in Utrecht, this cooking class is a great way to celebrate a private occasion, with groups, or even for your next company outing!
Work with our professional chefs and learn how to make this mouth-watering delicacy. We are excited to provide this offering to teach you all of our tips and tricks to making the best barbecue at home.
In this blog, we will highlight some of the defining features of Texas BBQ, its history, and the famous sides that always accompany the meal. If you are ready to book a seat in the next cooking class, please click here.
Texas Barbecue: what exactly is it?
Texas BBQ refers to a particular type of Texan food that focuses on grilled and smoked meats with a slew of delicious sides to accompany the meal.
This style of BBQ almost always includes beef or beef brisket. And other pork items like sausage or pulled pork can show up depending on where you are in the state.
A quick history: The King of BBQ.
In the 1850s, Czech and German immigrants moved to Texas. And, with the arrival of these new people came the beginning of the Texas BBQ tradition.
Czech and German neighborhoods began to thrive in central Texas (between San Antonio and Austin, TX). Bringing with them their traditions of sausage making and meat preservation, these Central European practices heavily influenced what became the backbone of BBQ.
And, before anyone knew it, people wanted their meats smoked for more than just preservation! The flavor was exquisite. With time, the appeal of grilled meat spread throughout the state. Now, you can find BBQ throughout the entirety of Texas. And, every region has its flavor and style.
The four styles: Texas BBQ by the region.
If you ask any pit master in Texas or avid barbecue eater, they will tell you that there is not just one BBQ style in the state.
Each region has its preferences, and there can be a vast difference between what you eat in South Texas versus the meat you consume in West Texas.
But, in general, there are four different styles when you are looking at Texas BBQ:
- Central Texas: As we mentioned earlier, Central Texas is where Texas BBQ began. And, the recipe for Central Texas BBQ is straightforward. Brisket rubbed with salt and pepper. That’s it!
In Central Texas, you will almost always find your food served on a platter with white bread, pickles, and white onion (very rarely as a sandwich).
- East Texas: East Texas BBQ is meat smoked low and slow (very similarly to Central Texas).
With an excess of Hickory growing in the state, most East Texas BBQ is smoked using Hickory wood! And the meat falls off the bone. And, East Texans love a nice brisket or pulled pork sandwich.
- South Texas: South Texas BBQ has an amazingly delicious sauce made with molasses.
And, due to its location, there is a heavy Mexican culinary influence in South Texas BBQ. Some examples of this can be seen in dishes like “lengua” or cow tongue and barbacoa. - West Texas: Extremely different from any of the other BBQ options in the state, West Texas BBQ is cooked directly over an open flame, making it a close parallel to traditional grilling.
The Traditional Side Dishes of Texas BBQ.
Eating BBQ in Texas can mean far more than a plate full of smoked meats. At every single barbecue shop, you will almost always find a slew of side dishes to accompany your smoked delicacies!
These sides can offer a fresh bite to balance the fatty meats. Or they can bring more comfort and warmth to the meal.
The traditional side dishes of Texas BBQ include:
- White bread
- Mayonnaise based coleslaw
- Pickles
- Jalapeños
- Salad
- Cornbread
- Pinto beans
- Macaroni and cheese
- Sliced white onion
So, are you hungry yet?
To book your Texas Barbecue cooking experience with our professional chefs, please click here!
Leave a reply