American barbecue has several regional styles, and each one has its own meats, seasonings and sauces. Texas barbecue is best known for beef, especially brisket, cooked slowly over wood smoke.
Beef Comes First
In much of the South, pork is the main barbecue meat. In Texas, beef takes the lead. Brisket is the centerpiece, and beef sausage and beef ribs are common as well. Most Texas barbecue restaurants also serve pork ribs, pulled pork and turkey.
Simple Seasoning
Texas barbecue tends to use a simple rub, often built around salt and black pepper. The idea is to let the beef and the smoke carry the flavor. Over a long cook, the rub and the smoke form a dark crust on the outside of the meat, which is called bark.
Low Heat and Wood Smoke
A brisket is a tough cut. It turns tender only after many hours at low temperature, which gives the connective tissue time to break down. Wood smoke adds flavor the whole time it cooks. This slow process is the main reason good brisket takes so much time and care.
Sauce on the Side
Many regional styles are defined by their sauce. In Texas, the meat is the focus, and sauce is usually served on the side for guests who want it.
How It Compares to Other Styles
- Carolina barbecue centers on pork, often whole hog or shoulder, with vinegar or mustard based sauces.
- Kansas City barbecue covers many meats and is known for thick, sweet tomato based sauce.
- Memphis barbecue is known for pork ribs, served either dry with a rub or wet with sauce.
- Texas barbecue puts beef first, keeps the seasoning simple and lets the smoke do the work.
Texas Barbecue in Pennsylvania
Stampede Barbecue started in 2012, inspired by our travels across the South and Midwest. Today we serve slow-smoked Texas-style brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage and turkey with homemade sides at our restaurant on Morgantown Road in Mohnton, and at our food truck at Ludwig’s Corner in Glenmoore. The wood that fuels our smokers also fires the kettle in our brewery, the only wood-fired brewery in Pennsylvania.
See the restaurant menu or read our story to learn more.
Our guide to burnt ends vs brisket explains how the two differ.