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Cross-era - Kentucky Regional Barbecue Communities
Kentucky mutton barbecue involves slow-smoked mutton or sheep meat, often served with vinegar-based sauces. This tradition, maintained across generations, highlights regional barbecue practices distinct from more common pork or beef varieties and reflects Kentucky's unique culinary heritage.
Difficulty
Hard
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
6-8 hours
Total time
6 hours 20 minutes
Servings
6
Region
Kentucky and the Upper South
Era introduced
Cross-era
Introduced by
Kentucky Regional Barbecue Communities
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Kentucky mutton barbecue preserves a regional tradition distinct from typical American barbecue styles, centering on the use of sheep meat slow-smoked and served with distinct vinegar-based sauces. This practice, maintained over many decades, illustrates the diversity of American barbecue practices linked to local livestock and cultural preferences.
Traditional Kentucky mutton barbecue techniques compiled from regional sources; times vary based on cut and smoker.
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