A rundown of the major styles of BBQ and regional sauces and what they are good for. From coast to coast, the flavors represent a touch of the regions in which they grew up in and range from vinegar based to rich and thick molasses based sauces.
I love being asked what my style of BBQ is, for a couple reasons. I find it an opportunity to gauge how much that person really understands styles, and why it matters (or doesn’t).
To be candid, if I had to pick a style that most matched my cooking, it is likely Carolina. First I love pork. Second, I like vinegar in my sauces. So between the two, it naturally lands me in the style of “Carolina BBQ.” That said, I think it’s important to express local in any style. Local meat, local flavor and local wood.
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Different Styles of Barbecue and BBQ Sauces
Living in the Pacific Northwest, there really isn’t a regional style as rooted as say Texas, Memphis, or the Carolina’s (just Google it and you’ll see a lot of random hits). However, using the approach of local, I do love a few aspects of being in the PNW that makes me think there really is an emerging style, if not as mature as other parts of the country.
But maybe first a little background, to give you a base to understand each regional style. And because I love geeking out on this stuff. This is all at a high level as even within the regions you will find different approaches.
Carolina Style(s) BBQ
Rooted in pork, the Carolina BBQ is all about ribs, pork butts, and whole hog. What I love about the Carolina style is how much regional variation there is. From clear vinegar based sauces, to the mustard sauce, it shows that even with a general style, there is so much that is fiercely local. And yes there is a tomato based sauce too called Lexington style BBQ Sauce.
Because I feel vinegar complements the flavor of pork and acts as a great acid for slow cooking, we’ve been drawn to this style since we started cooking outside. The wood I see most often is some kind of fruit wood, making a nice sweet and balanced smoke flavor (versus campfire).
Texas Style BBQ
If you think Texas, you should be thinking cattle. So clearly beef is the protein and of course beef brisket is king. Brisket is a crazy piece of meat that I both love and hate. This is because great brisket is amazing, anything less than great is, well, not very good.
I find that most Texas style joints focus on mesquite or post oak wood and a tomato based sauce (if using a sauce at all). Beef seasoning can also be varied, but simple salt, pepper, and garlic (SPG) is common. As you get closer to the border of Mexico you may see other influences in the rub.
Find our brisket recipe here.
Memphis Style BBQ
When I think Memphis I think Memphis style ribs. And when I think ribs I think of dry ribs and wet ribs. Dry ribs are just that; dry rub and oil on the rib and the flavor and tenderness cooked into the meat.
The wet rib is doused in sauce before, during, and after the cooking process. Sauces, from what I have seen, are driven by flavor of molasses and tomato paste being reduced (with other ingredients) giving a rich dark texture.
Kansas City Style BBQ
Kansas City Style Sauce for me starts with the sauce. Think ketchup meets brown sugar and molasses, plus flavor and then reduced. A much thicker and tomato base than the others IMO. Plus I find the meats to be more balanced between pork and the other animals. From burnt ends (Brisket) to chicken and Kansas City style ribs, I see a lot of variety but the sauces keep me grounded in the KC style of BBQ.
Pacific Northwest Style BBQ
(According to yours truly)
So like I said, there is not a whole lot of consensus on Pacific Northwest BBQ, but this is why I love being creative. We respect the regions where BBQ originated and combine that with the local favors of the Pacific Northwest. So first, the wood here is plentiful and it is typically cherry or apple. Throw in a little grape vine on top of that and you see a sweeter style smoke from local fruit woods.
Next, we have a lot of lamb, pork, salmon and trout, and coincidentally I love cooking all of those above all else. Finally, for sauces I like to follow the seasons. So in the later spring and early summer we have berry’s everywhere. So of course we make berry based barbecue sauces.
I love to take a Carolina style vinegar sauce and meld it with a berry jam for either my sauce or glaze. Later in the year you get apples and pears, so reducing those down is such a great compliment for pork especially. So in the end, I love the variety and creativity that comes from living here and building upon such great styles of BBQ from other regions in the US. And is doesn’t stop in the US, internationally there are also other styles to keep an eye out for too.
Want Some BBQ Sauce Recipes?
- Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce
- Mustard Based BBQ Sauce
- Easy KC (Kansas City Style) BBQ Sauce
- Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce
- Spicy Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce (no sugar added)
- Cherry Chipotle BBQ Glaze (great for chicken)
If you like this recipe we’d truly appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review! And if you share any of your pics on Instagram use the hashtag #vindulge. We LOVE to see it when you cook our recipes.
Ian says
I think Jim made a mistake when he gave you 4-stars. Their Carolina bbq sauce recipe is spot on! Very very good. Thanks for sharing
Sean Martin says
Thank you!! We recognize there is a lot of perspectives on sauce, so we appreciate all kinds of feedback.
Jim Egerton says
I fell in love with East North Carolina BBQ sauce 50 years ago when I lived in Western North Carolina.
The Pork was slow smoked with red oak. The sauce was see through. Apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt an a little water. Researching I found that way back in time they added a dry cured small fish which just acts like msg. I also love Georgia BBQ sauce which is tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper and a hot pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Now I like jerk chicken so I combined the East Carolina and Georgia sauce with some of the spices of jerk chicken. Cloves, all spice, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mary says
That sounds delicious Jim, thanks for sharing!!! We love vinegar and acid in our Q, especially the sauces. Mustard too, so the entire region of the Carolina’s is really fun, especially the very simple vinegar sauces of apple cider vinegar, pepper corn, and red chili pepper flakes!!
Pigskin Barbeque says
Nice overview of sauces and styles.
I usually use the a Texas style, but I see you left out the other vinegar sauce like they use on pulled pork in the Carolina. Those are great!
Thanks for sharing