Discovering the Art of Kansas City Barbecue: A Flavorful Journey.

Kansas City barbecue traces its roots to the early 20th century, when Henry Perry, often called the "Father of Kansas City Barbecue," began serving smoked meats in a simple yet flavorful way.

[{"selector":"#anim-3a7b93be-c497-4162-b5ab-83932fd9c649","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -266.18358%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -74.85082269600001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -25.447150248000003%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -9.555990522%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -4.152463848%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}]

Kansas City barbecue is known for its thick, tomato-based, sweet and tangy sauce. Meats are slow-cooked over a variety of woods, creating a distinct smoky flavor.

[{"selector":"#anim-69fa5a1a-1641-4279-b49a-4255cb870ed2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

This style uses a wide variety of meats, from pork and beef to chicken and turkey. The hallmark is low-and-slow smoking paired with generous sauce slathering.

[{"selector":"#anim-7bbb97a9-0829-4c69-95f5-909cf3d79e56","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9725fed-3eee-47c7-8077-36981ebbe432","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.33333%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Burnt ends are a Kansas City specialty, loved for their caramelized, crispy edges and tender, flavorful insides. Ribs, brisket, and pulled pork are also iconic choices.

[{"selector":"#anim-145b7dd8-212c-4cdd-836d-8716870e77e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1890b84b-5ada-488a-a090-33674c7674d4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -297.03702%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Kansas City boasts legendary spots like Arthur Bryant's, Gates Bar-B-Q, and Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, each offering their unique take on the tradition.

[{"selector":"#anim-828d0975-3052-4b8c-9516-ddc62b5e7376","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b8de9bb-b4bf-4db8-8a90-d21799dabc57","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.24216%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Events like the American Royal World Series of Barbecue celebrate the art with cooking competitions, live music, and plenty of delicious samples.

[{"selector":"#anim-269442ac-3297-4d60-917c-4837538049e3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Kansas City barbecue is more than food—it's a cultural experience. From tailgates to family gatherings, it brings people together around the pit.

[{"selector":"#anim-f03392e3-b12d-4b02-bd07-de74e0bbc26a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.33333%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3ed1d9e-deba-4da0-9627-65e68ab38cfb","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Recreate Kansas City barbecue at home by investing in a good smoker, choosing the right wood (like hickory or oak), and perfecting a tangy barbecue sauce recipe.

[{"selector":"#anim-e4eb721b-d07d-42c3-8c46-10a088aef828","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}]

stay connected Learn more