The Brazilian churrasco (barbecue) began, as you might expect, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Initially, it was done on bonfires, over which large pieces of meat were placed and left to roast all day long. This traditional way of barbecuing is still used in Brazil.
However, nowadays, it is more common to see picanhas perfectly grilled directly on the grill, accompanied by vinaigrette, garlic bread, rice, and farofa.
This is not the reality in the rest of the world. The traditional American barbecue is almost unrecognizable in Brazil. Want to know more about it and find out how to innovate your barbecue? Then understand, in this post, what are the differences between American and Brazilian barbecue!
What is the traditional Brazilian BBQ?
Barbecue came to Brazil during the Portuguese colonization, starting with the missions in Rio Grande do Sul. This is because the state already had cattle herds, which the population used to feed themselves.
The way it is made today is greatly influenced by Italian immigrants, who already prepared a series of sauces and cuts of meat to roast on festival days. This event gained ground in Brazil, especially with the expansion of cattle herds throughout the country, appropriating new techniques and ways of preparing meat, until it became what you know today as the traditional Brazilian barbecue.
It can be done on a spit, the way it is still traditional in Rio Grande do Sul, or directly on the grill. Today, several types of meat are used, including beef, chicken, and pork, as well as vegetable side dishes and the famous garlic bread.
The most common sauce is vinaigrette, although barbecue sauce is increasingly gaining ground in Brazil. In addition, side dishes such as rice and farofa are also part of the Brazilian barbecue culture.
What about American barbecue?
In the USA, barbecue started with the native Indians, who learned to cook meat from the British colonizers. It is most common in the southern part of the country, but it has also gained ground throughout the country, spreading rapidly.
The American barbecue is quite different from the Brazilian one, which includes the type of meat cut used, the preparation methodology, the seasonings used, and the barbecue equipment preferred by Americans.
First, charcoal barbecues are not as common in the USA as they are in Brazil. They prefer those that heat the meat with gas or use electric energy. In addition, when charcoal is used, they give preference to coals, roasting the meat more slowly. Smokers are also used, which give the meat that typical barbecue taste in a more accentuated way.
But the differences don't stop there. The side dishes and the type of cuts used on American barbecue are quite different from the Brazilian ones. Read on and find out more about it!
No matter if the barbecue is Brazilian or American, the important thing is to have the right tools to make delicious preparations, and this Knives BV has!
