New Jersey is not known as a state or in a region that has a BBQ style of it's own.
Because of this, NJ has many BBQ styles of cooking that represent the different regions of the U.S. Here are our picks for the best BBQ in NJ
Kansas City BBQ is mostly pork spare ribs or beef brisket and it's the sauce that distinguishes it from other styles. It is very thick, just enough to stay on the meat and not fall to the bottom of the pit, and is largely tomato based.
Memphis BBQ Mostly ribs. The sauce is similar to Kansas City Style, but spicier and dry rubbed.
North Carolina BBQ is mostly a roast of the entire pig or major parts of it, and then the different parts are chopped up and mixed together before adding the sauce. The sauce is vinegar based, more so in the Eastern part of the state, and not too sweet and is shaken before applying it to the meat.
Texas BBQ is mostly beef brisket and is cooked slowly smoking with a spicy thick, tomato-based sauce.
Portuguese BBQ (Churrasco). In a churrascaria restaurant, they serve up a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, and poultry that are slowly roasted in specially designed charcoal grills to preserve the natural flavors with little or no sauces added. They are usually served on long skewers and carved at table side.
Rib meat, when properly cooked, should easily be removed off the rib bone with a gentle bite. Some restaurants advertise that their rib meat easily "falls off the bone" ---- beware as they are serving BBQ ribs that have been overcooked. Rib meat should be cooked slowly to allow the meat fibers to become tenderized. Rib meat should be soft and moist, not mushy, and not overly chewy. The meat should be able to be pulled off the rib bone in one piece, the same size as the length of the rib bone.
For real BBQ enthusiasts who are willing to travel around the state to sample the best of the best BBQ competition teams.
Que by the Sea BBQ Competition & Festival
Seaside Heights
Takes place annually in September.
The highlight of the event, the Barbecue State Championship will exemplify good, old-fashioned American fun. This competition will feature contestants from throughout the tristate, who provide the best overall BBQ in four categories including chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket
This BBQ competition is recognized as a Mid-Atlantic Barbecue Association State Championship and is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, Live musical entertainment and food vendors will be selling tasty barbecue specialties. In addition there will be arts and crafts
Comments
Have a comment about what you just read! Leave a comment in the box below.