About Southern Barbecue
Dave Ferguson
Discover the rich cultural heritage behind Southern barbecue in this informative guide that traces its spread throughout America during the Great Migration. Learn how this beloved cooking style evolved from whole-animal preparation to smaller cuts as it moved into urban centers, carrying with it profound cultural significance. Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the deep roots and societal impact of this quintessentially American cooking tradition.
Southern barbecue spread throughout the United States during the Great Migration, which saw African Americans leaving the oppression of the South for opportunities in other regions of the country in the early- to mid-1900s. Most barbecue at that time was prepared by cooking the entire animal; as the cuisine popped up in urban centers throughout the United States, smaller cuts of meat took center stage. For more, see
Adrian Miller’s Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue.
Learn more about the politics of Southern Barbecue from The Politics of Cuisine on
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