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Barbecue is more than just a way to cook meat; it’s a tradition packed with flavour, community spirit, and deep cultural roots.
In America, BBQ has a rich history that stretches across regions, each with its own style, sauces, and cooking methods. From the slow-cooked brisket of Texas to the tangy pulled pork of the Carolinas, American BBQ has long been a symbol of comfort food and celebration.
However, this love for barbecue didn’t stay stateside. Over the years, its bold techniques and signature tastes have made their way across the pond, influencing how Brits cook and enjoy their BBQ.
Today, American-style smokehouses, like ours, are popping up all over the UK, showcasing authentic US flavours and blending classic flavours with local favourites.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at where American BBQ began, how it grew, and the unique ways it has shaped and inspired British BBQ culture.
American BBQ history goes back centuries. It began with Native American tribes who slow-cooked meat over open flames and smoke. When European settlers arrived, they adopted and adapted these cooking techniques.
Over time, BBQ evolved, especially in the American South, where it became a staple of gatherings and celebrations. Different regions developed their own styles - some preferred pork, others beef; some used dry rubs, others loved rich, tangy sauces.
The Southern tradition of smoking meat low and slow became the heart of American BBQ. Rather than being just about the food, it was about bringing people together. These early influences laid the foundation for the rich BBQ culture that Americans love today and proudly share with the world.
American BBQ is made up of many regional traditions, each with its own flavours and methods.
In Texas, BBQ means slow-smoked beef brisket with a simple rub. In North Carolina, it’s all about pulled pork with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. Kansas City loves a mix of meats coated in sweet, thick, tomato-based sauces. Meanwhile, Memphis is known for dry-rubbed ribs that are full of spice and flavour.
These regional styles grew from local ingredients and cultural influences, as well as cooking preferences. Each one adds something special, making American BBQ incredibly diverse.
Together, they’ve created a rich BBQ culture that continues to grow, inspire, and influence BBQ lovers around the world, including in the UK.
If you’d like a taste of the best authentic US BBQ in the UK, visit one of our restaurants in London (Hoxton or Soho), Nottingham, Southampton or Liverpool.
At first, British BBQ mainly meant grilling burgers and sausages on a charcoal grill during summer. However, as people discovered American BBQ, things started to change.
Slow-cooked meats, smoky flavours, and sticky sauces began to appear on menus and at gatherings. Chefs and food lovers started experimenting with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, inspired by what they saw in the U.S.
While traditional British BBQ remained simple, these new flavours added excitement. Slowly, American BBQ techniques were adapted using local ingredients, giving rise to a UK version of BBQ that blends British tastes with bold American influences.
Today, American BBQ history and culture are big inspirations for UK pitmasters and food lovers. British chefs are starting to cook more with wood, and use bold rubs just like their US counterparts.
Many are studying famous American BBQ styles and putting their own spin on them using British meats and local flavours. Plus, pop-up smokehouses, food trucks, and BBQ joints are growing in popularity, offering brisket, ribs, and pulled pork that rival what you’d find in Texas or Kansas City.
UK BBQ festivals are also gaining steam, where pitmasters compete and share tips. This passion for low-and-slow cooking is building a strong BBQ community in the UK, one that honours American BBQ origins and traditions while creating something new and exciting of its own.
Now that you have a better understanding of American BBQ history and how it has influenced British BBQ culture, would you like to taste some real US BBQ?
At Red Dog Saloon, we offer American BBQ and drinks, with menu items ranging from St Louis cut pork ribs and ground-in house loaded burgers to beef brisket and Nashville hot chicken. Our BBQ dishes are cooked to perfection using smokers and hickory wood imported from the US. We also serve classic cocktails, craft beer and a selection of popular spirits.
With locations across the UK, each saloon offers a laid-back, Southern vibe perfect for casual dining or private parties. Check out our live events, too!