Kansas City barbecue, a staple of the Midwest, is a delightful and smoky culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds with its unique flavors and succulent meats. This article delves into the secrets of crafting the perfect Kansas City barbecue, providing expert tips and exploring the distinct styles that contribute to its popularity. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a novice looking to venture into the world of smoky goodness, this guide will help you navigate the complexities of Kansas City barbecue and create mouthwatering dishes that will leave your family and friends clamoring for more.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
KANSAS CITY SWEET AND SMOKY BARBECUE RUB
Sweet rather than salty, flavorful rather than fiery, this seasoning mix contains mustard in the style of a Memphis rub and chili powder in the style of Texas.
Provided by Steven Raichlen
Categories Grill/Barbecue Spice Paprika Ginger Kansas City Kansas
Yield Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix. Transfer to a large jar, cover, and store away from heat and light. The rub will keep for several weeks.
KANSAS CITY BARBECUE SAUCE
This tangy Kansas City BBQ sauce is lip-smacking good. It's thick, and a little sweet with a touch of heat. If you like it spicy, add a little more hot sauce or chili powder. -Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 35m
Yield 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 55 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 323mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
RIBS WITH KANSAS CITY BARBECUE SAUCE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 7h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the sauce: Combine the garlic, chili powder, cayenne, allspice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Whisk the ketchup, 1 cup water, the vinegar, mustard, molasses, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic mixture and cook, stirring, until the oil turns brick red, about 1 minute. Add the ketchup mixture and bring to a gentle simmer; cook, whisking occasionally, 30 minutes.
- Make the ribs: Soak 1 heaping cup hickory, mesquite or apple-wood chips in water, at least 30 minutes. Prepare a grill for indirect cooking over medium-low heat (about 250 degrees F): On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn on only one side of the burners. Cover the grate on the cooler side of the grill with aluminum foil. Close the grill lid. Position the ribs on a cutting board, meat-side down. Slip a small knife between the bone and membrane, then gently pull off the membrane. Sprinkle the racks with 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper on both sides. Drain the wood chips. For a charcoal grill, scatter the chips directly over the hot coals; for a gas grill, put the chips in a smoker box and position over direct heat. Put the ribs meat-side up on the foil on the cooler side of the grill. Close the grill lid; bring the temperature back up and cook the ribs, undisturbed, 3 hours. (For a charcoal grill, adjust the vents, or add more hot, ashed-over coals as needed to maintain consistent heat.) Remove the ribs and close the lid. Wrap each rack tightly in foil, then return to the cooler side of the grill, meat-side down; close the lid and grill 2 more hours. Remove the ribs and carefully unwrap. Return to the cooler side of the grill, meat-side up; cook, basting generously with the sauce halfway through, until the meat is tender, about 1 more hour. Remove the racks and let rest a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the remaining sauce. Photograph by Con Poulos
KANSAS CITY STYLE BARBECUE SAUCE
A thick, sweet, and smoky sauce, perfect for the ultimate barbecued ribs! Also does great in the crock pot with the meat or beans of your choice. This recipe makes about 4 cups sauce, but it keeps well in the fridge or freezer, and makes a great homemade gift! Apparently this originally came from America's Test Kitchen, but the friend I got the recipe from didn't mention that! Thanks to Chef 219653 for the heads up!
Provided by velorutionista
Categories Sauces
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In medium dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat till shimmery (but not smoking). Add onion and garlic and cook till soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add stock, root beer, vinegar, corn syrup, molasses, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and 1/4 teaspoons liquid smoke. Stir with a whisk till well combined.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer till mixture has thickened and reduced to about 4 cups, about an hour. Remove from heat and stir in remaining liquid smoke.
- Sauce will keep about a week in the refrigerator, or up to four months if frozen.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.6, Fat 2.6, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 841, Carbohydrate 119.5, Fiber 2, Sugar 64.1, Protein 2.4
KANSAS CITY-STYLE BARBECUE SAUCE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 30m
Yield about 1 quart
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, 1 cup water, the vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mustard, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the onion is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the liquid smoke. Strain the sauce, pressing on the solids to extract any liquid.
- Photograph by Andrew Purcell
KANSAS CITY BARBECUE SAUCE
Martha's take on this classic BBQ sauce has a lengthy ingredient list including apple cider vinegar, molasses, and ketchup. Each element adds to the sweetness and complexity of the sauce. And it's quick to make; a few minutes on the stovetop, then it's blended and ready to be used for your favorite ribs.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Holiday Planning & Ideas Fourth of July Fourth of July Recipes
Yield Makes 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire, mustard, cayenne, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 5 minutes. Carefully transfer mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Sauce can be cooled completely and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
KANSAS CITY STYLE BARBECUE SAUCE
Make and share this Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce recipe from Food.com.
Provided by breezermom
Categories Sauces
Time 25m
Yield 6 cups
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat until bubbly and mix well.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For a thicker sauce, simmer longer; for a thinner sauce, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned by using a bit of water.
- Brush sauce onto any kind of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400.9, Fat 4.4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 1382.7, Carbohydrate 91.6, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 81.8, Protein 2.8
KANSAS CITY BARBECUE SAUCE
Liquid smoke flavoring gives this sauce the flavor of authentic pit barbecue. Use this sauce for beef, pork or chicken. Can be used for beef, pork, or chicken.
Provided by Fred Alam
Categories Other Sauces
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. Place oil in a large non-aluminum saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Lightly saute until translucent.
- 2. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 10 or 15 minutes.
KANSAS CITY BARBECUE
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in shaker and use as "rub" on the following meats.
- Peel membrane off the back of each slab. Then rinse the slab off to get rid of bone dust. Dry with cotton towel. Take shaker of "rub" and lightly coat both sides of meat.
- Preparing smoker: Put charcoal in chimney with paper underneath and light. (Do not use charcoal lighter-it will taint the flavor of the meat.) Let coals get hot, about 30 minutes. Transfer coals into smoker, and add 1 hickory log per hour on top of charcoal if smoker is big. (Adjust if using small smoker.) Wait until temperature of smoker reaches 220 degrees. Leave damper open so you don't trap stale smoke in chamber. Over course of cooking, maintain heat with additional coal and wood, as needed. After placing ribs inside smoker, spritz with apple juice once an hour. After about 3 hours, when meat is nice dark color, spritz one last time and wrap in foil. Let ribs cook in foil for another 2 hours, giving you a total cook time of 5 hours. You can feel when the ribs are tender rather than rubbery (they bend rather than bounce back). Unwrap them (carefully), lift them out of juice and place on cutting board, brush on room temperature BBQ Sauce. Slice into individual ribs and serve.
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of meat: Brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs are all popular choices for Kansas City barbecue. Look for meat that is well-marbled with fat, as this will help keep it moist during cooking.
- Use a good rub: A rub is a mixture of spices and seasonings that is applied to the meat before cooking. There are many different recipes for rubs, but some common ingredients include brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook the meat low and slow: Kansas City barbecue is typically cooked at a low temperature (around 225 degrees Fahrenheit) for a long period of time (usually several hours). This allows the meat to absorb the flavors of the rub and smoke.
- Use a smoker: A smoker is the best way to achieve the authentic Kansas City barbecue flavor. Smokers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so choose one that is right for your needs.
- Be patient: Kansas City barbecue takes time. Don't rush the process, and let the meat cook until it is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Conclusion:
Kansas City barbecue is a delicious and flavorful cuisine that is enjoyed by people all over the world. By following these tips, you can create your own Kansas City barbecue at home. So fire up your smoker and get cooking!
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