Sunday Backyard Memphis Barbecue Brunch

Memphis is a city that takes great pride in its barbecue. Memphians claim to have the best in the world and have become famous for it.

If you had to sum up Memphis Style Barbecue in a single dish it would be dry rub ribs. These delicious baby back ribs are slow smoked over a low hickory fire and coated in a paprika- based spice rub to be served without sauce or with sauce on the side.

Though just about any meat can be used, traditional Memphis barbecue is usually smoked pork served in one of two forms: ribs on a slab or pulled. True Memphis smokers don’t rely on seasoning alone to ensure a great barbecue. Instead, they use only the highest quality of meat and let the slow smoking process enhance its natural flavor. This results in pork that is tasty and tender, even without rubs and sauces.

Dry Rubs:

Memphis is probably best known for its dry barbecue. Most frequently used on ribs, the dry style is highly flavorful and is less messy to eat than wet. In the dry process, the ribs are coated with a rub made from ingredients such as garlic, paprika, onions, cumin, and other spices. They are then cooked in a smoker until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. Typically, dry ribs are served with a sauce on the side.

Sauces:

Memphis barbecue sauce has its own distinctive flavor, as well. Though the specific ingredients will vary from cook to cook, Memphis sauce is usually made with tomatoes, vinegar, and any countless combination of spices. It is generally thin, tangy, and somewhat sweet. Memphis sauce is poured over pulled pork or served as a side to dry ribs.

Ask 100 Memphians where to get the best barbecue, and you will probably receive 100 different answers. All you need to make it perfect is to add a cold beer, an array of your favorite side-dishes and the sound of the blues for a Memphis-style ‘que Sunday brunch in your own backyard.  Check-out delicious Red Velvet Gourmet Spice Rub and Seasoning from Veronica Hendrix. You can buy it here.