Barbecue Styles

While there are many sub-genres of barbecue, the four most common styles are Kansas City, Texas, Memphis, and Carolina. Kansas City is known for its tomato-based sauce, spread over slow-cooked pork and beef, and giving birth to burnt ends. Texas comprises a variety of in-state styles using beef and pork, cooked patiently. Memphis is known for smoked pork, particularly ribs and sandwiches, and an emphasis on the smoking process, whereas Carolina also uses pork, often shredded, spiced, and combined with vinegar. Virginia, the occasionally mentioned fifth barbecue region, draws on methods used in Memphis and the Carolinas.