American BBQ offers a diverse range of smoked meats and flavor profiles with its sauces and spice rubs, while Mediterranean cuisine focuses on fresh, healthy ingredients and simple preparations with an emphasis on herbs and olive oil.
| Attribute | American BBQ | Mediterranean |
|---|---|---|
| Smoked Meat Variety | Beef brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork shoulder, and whole hog barbecue are common. | Lamb chops, souvlaki, kebabs, gyro, and bifteki are common. |
| Spice Rub Composition | Common ingredients include brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Some rubs also contain celery seeds, hickory smoke salt, and cumin. | Garlic, thyme, black pepper, rosemary, lemon, oregano, basil, and sage. Other variations include rosemary, cumin, coriander, oregano, cinnamon, and salt. Some may include sumac. |
| Sauce Sweetness Level | BBQ sauces range from acidic and tangy to sweet and spicy. | Not available |
| Cooking Wood Type | Hardwoods like hickory, oak, mesquite, pecan, alder, maple, and fruit woods (apple, cherry, pear) are frequently used. Oak is popular in Texas for brisket, sausage, and ribs. Hickory is versatile and favored in the South, especially for pork and chicken. Maple provides a sweet undertone. | Olive wood and Almond wood |
| Side Dish Options | Common sides include coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, baked beans, mac and cheese, okra, biscuits, and various salads (watermelon, carrot ribbon, pasta). | Tzatziki sauce, tabbouleh salad, grilled vegetables, hummus, Greek salad, roasted potatoes with lemon and oregano, orzo salad, and various salads featuring ingredients like kale, lentils, beets, and feta. |
| Olive Oil Quality | Not available | Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is preferred, with an acidity level of 0.8% or less. |
| Herb Freshness | Not available | Fresh herbs are essential, including oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, and parsley. |
| Feta Cheese Type | Not available | Feta is a staple and is one of the most perfect salad cheeses. |
| Grilled Meat Tenderness | Achieving tenderness requires slow cooking to break down collagen. Brisket, for example, needs to be cooked overnight to tenderize. | Marinating meats in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs helps to tenderize them. Using cuts like beef tenderloin also ensures tenderness. |
| Vegetable Variety | Not available | Eggplant, peppers, squash, asparagus, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and root vegetables. |
| Hummus Texture | No information about American BBQ hummus texture was found in the provided search results. | Smooth and creamy, sometimes described as whipped. Some prefer a more rustic texture. |
| Bread Type | Not available | Pita bread is a common accompaniment. |