American barbecue boasts a variety of methods, with the Memphis BBQ recipe notably standing out. This recipe traditionally centers around pork, which is either dry-rubbed or marinated with a unique sauce before, during, and after the smoking process. This yields an irresistibly delicious result with every bite.

Do you know what makes Memphis BBQ special? You guessed it right. It’s the table sauce. It contains flavors like paprika, garlic, and various herbs, such as oregano and thyme, grilled by mostly outdoor grilling equipment. Sweet ketchup thickens the sauce, and the touch of vinegar gives the sauce a good choice with your Memphis BBQ.

Cooking Memphis BBQ is best with indirect heating. You may place the ribs away from the heat source or control the fire on one side of the grill, cooking the ribs slowly on the opposite side.

Must-Try Memphis BBQ Recipe

Some Memphis BBQ restaurants offer sauces, which customers can choose as a special order or on the side. The sauce compliments the complexity of the Memphis BBQ, whether you like wet ribs or dry ribs. The flavor is a combination of herbs and spices, making it one of the best in the world. Thanks to KayB of Food 52 for inspiring this recipe!

Ingredients

The Memphis BBQ recipe is similar to other BBQ recipes in that it relies on ingredients like brown sugar, cayenne, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and garlic. These are popular ingredients in almost everyone’s special recipe. However, most BBQ enthusiasts also incorporate dry mustard, celery seed or celery salt, rosemary or dried oregano, ginger, allspice, cumin, and white pepper into their BBQ recipes.

Numerous pit masters have spent years mastering the precise combination of spices and refining their unique cooking methods. The key to their flawless Memphis BBQ lies in the sauce.

These are the ingredients needed for a Memphis BBQ:

  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger
  • 1 ½ tablespoons celery seed
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ½ cup cider vinegar
  • ½ cup neutral vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons cumin
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons coriander
  • 1 tablespoon allspice
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • Half pork shoulder or Boston butt roast weighing 5-6 pounds
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Hot sauce, to taste

Slow cooking gives the best results for your Memphis BBQ, especially if you can patiently do it for 12 hours.

Instructions: Prepping the Meat and Sauce

Preparing Memphis BBQ ribs is simple. Follow these steps.

  • Combine the spices. Reserve a basting sauce. Use the remaining for meat marination.
  • After fully coating the meat, allow it to sit in the freezer overnight.
  • Allow the meat to defrost the following day as you prepare the fire. Employ hardwood fire for an added flavor boost. If hardwood is not at hand, a gas or charcoal grill can be used as a substitute. For your Memphis BBQ, avoid using an oven if possible.
  • If possible, wrap the meat in foil with the sauce around it to allow the meat to soak up the flavor.

Tips for Grilling a Memphis BBQ

  • Indirect heating is the optimal method for cooking Memphis BBQ. This can be achieved by positioning the ribs away from the heat source or by managing the fire on one side of the grill and slowly cooking the ribs on the other side.
  • Slow cooking gives the best results for your Memphis BBQ, especially if you can patiently do it for 12 hours. Getting Memphis food right is cooking it with tons of flavor, and slow cooking is the best way to bring out this quality.

  • Ensure that your Memphis BBQ ribs are basted with your homemade sauce. As the ribs cook, they will keep soaking up the sauce, enhancing their flavor. After a while, check the bones for any wiggling – this indicates the meat can be easily pulled. Once done, take the ribs off the grill, cover them with a foil tent and allow them to rest for about 20 minutes.
  • Make some baked beans, corn on the cob, and coleslaw. Some people might also enjoy ribs and bread, accompanied by a can of beer.

Some Memphis BBQ restaurants offer sauces, which customers can choose as a special order or on the side. The sauce compliments the complexity of the Memphis BBQ, whether you like wet ribs or dry ribs.

Key Takeaways

Preparing Memphis BBQ is a delightful delicacy for the entire family. Everybody adores BBQ, and this particular taste significantly distinguishes itself from other global flavors. The required ingredients are readily available, and the preparation process is a piece of cake.

  • Mix your basting sauce.
  • Use hardwood for grilling.