Regional Barbecue Trends: Summer 2023
March 2023
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, barbecues become a great way to enjoy good food with friends and family. In recent research by Innova, 60% of people strongly agree that they are open to trying new global cuisines. This means that as summer approaches, there is a growing interest in regional barbecue flavors.
Not only can barbecue provide comfort, but it can also be an exploration into different cultures and their unique takes on classic barbecue dishes. From Jamaican Jerk in the Caribbean to Memphis Barbecue in the US, let's explore some of these regional barbecue trends for the summer of 2023.
1. Jamaican Jerk
Jamaican Jerk is a popular form of marinated grilled meat or fish that originated in Jamaica. It is typically made with allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, cinnamon, thyme, garlic and other spices. This spice blend gives it a unique flavor that combines sweetness with heat — perfect for grilling up chicken or pork at a backyard barbecue.
2. Memphis Barbecue
Memphis Barbecue is one of the most iconic American styles of BBQ. It is best known for its slow-cooked pork shoulder served with a sweet tomato-based sauce. The pork is cooked low and slow over hickory wood smoke until it reaches that perfect fall-off-the-bone tenderness. The sauce often has molasses as one of its main ingredients which gives it its signature sweet flavor profile.
3. Kansas City-style BBQ
Missouri’s largest city in the late 19th century. It’s known for its sweet tomato-based sauces (often with molasses) as well as its smoked meats such as beef ribs, brisket and pork shoulder cut into cubes or slices after smoking for hours over hardwood smoke like hickory or oak logs. It’s also known for its side dishes like baked beans and coleslaw which make this style of BBQ very popular when hosting large backyard barbecues during the summer months!
4. Korean Barbecue
Korean Barbecue has been gaining popularity over recent years thanks to its unique flavors from Korea’s diverse culinary culture. It typically involves thin slices of prime beef ribeye marinated in sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and sugar before being grilled over charcoal or gas grills, which have deeper basins than traditional grills so you can cook several types of meat at once without them mixing together to create an array of flavors!
All four styles mentioned may vary greatly but they all share one common element – they make excellent summertime meals that will bring joy to any gathering! Whether you prefer something smoky from Memphis or sweet from Kansas City, spicy from Jamaica or savory from Korea – there are plenty of delicious options when it comes to regional barbecue trends for this summer! There's never been a better time to explore different flavors and find your favorite type of barbecue cuisine! So why not give them all a try? You never know what new favorite dish you might discover this season!