If you love barbecue, you know that the sauce can make or break your dish. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best barbecue sauce for your taste buds? In this article, we'll explore some of the most popular barbecue sauces on the market and give you some tips on how to use them.
Different Barbecue Sauce Types
First, let's talk about the different types of barbecue sauces. Depending on where you live, you may prefer a certain type of sauce over another. Here are some of the most common ones:
Kansas City Style
This is the classic barbecue sauce that most people think of. It's thick, sweet, and tomato-based, with a hint of smokiness and vinegar. It goes well with almost any kind of meat, especially ribs, chicken, and brisket.
South Carolina Method
South Carolina BBQ is a mustard-based sauce that has a tangy and spicy flavor. It's often used for pulled pork sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders.
North Carolina Flare
It is a vinegar-based barbecue sauce that has a thin consistency and a sharp bite. It's usually mixed with red pepper flakes or hot sauce for some heat. It's great for pork, especially chopped or shredded.
Texas Style
This is a meaty sauce that has a thin consistency and is made with beef drippings or broth. It has a savory and peppery flavor, with a touch of sweetness from molasses or brown sugar. It's perfect for beef, especially brisket or ribs.
Alabama Approach
A unique sauce that is white and creamy. It's made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and black pepper, and sometimes horseradish or mustard. It's typically used for chicken, especially grilled or smoked.
Best Barbecue Sauces You Can Buy
Now that you know the basics, let's look at some of the best barbecue sauces you can buy at the store. We've selected some of the top-rated sauces from different categories and styles, so you can find your favorite.
Best Overall
Rufus Teague Touch O' Heat BBQ Sauce
This is a Kansas City-style sauce that has a balanced flavor of sweet, smoky, and spicy. It's thick and rich, with no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients. It comes in a whiskey bottle for an extra touch of authenticity.
Rufus Teague Touch O'Heat BBQ Sauce, 16 oz
A mouthwatering blend of spices and sweetness that takes your grilled dishes to the next level
Product information
$13.87 $7.63
Product Review Score
4.68 out of 5 stars
216 reviewsProduct links
Best for Ribs
Stonewall Kitchen Baby Back Rib Sauce.
This is a sweet and tangy sauce that has a smooth texture and a fruity twist from passionfruit juice. It's ideal for glazing ribs on the grill or in the oven, giving them a sticky and caramelized crust.
Stonewall Kitchen Baby Back Rib Sauce, 11 oz
A tangy and rich sauce that takes your ribs to the next level of deliciousness
Product information
$12.95 $8.95
Product Review Score
4.75 out of 5 stars
7 reviewsProduct links
Best Spicy
Cowtown Night Of The Living BBQ Sauce.
This is a fiery sauce that has a tomato base and a blend of hot peppers, including habanero, cayenne, and chipotle. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you love spicy food, this sauce will make your mouth water.
Cowtown Night of the Living BBQ Sauce, 18oz
Spice up your grilling game with a bold flavor that will make your taste buds dance
Product information
$13.49
Product Review Score
4.3 out of 5 stars
138 reviewsProduct links
Best Carolina Gold
Lillie’s Q Gold Barbecue Sauce.
This is a mustard-based sauce that has a bright yellow color and a tangy flavor. It's made with natural ingredients, including apple cider vinegar, honey, and spices. It's delicious on pulled pork or chicken wings.
Lillie's Q Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce (20 oz)
A tangy mustard-based sauce that adds a delicious kick to your BBQ dishes
Product information
$10.98
Product Review Score
4.76 out of 5 stars
168 reviewsProduct links
Best Honey
Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce.
This is one of my personal favorites. It is a sweet and sticky sauce that has a honey flavor and a thick consistency. It's one of the most popular sauces in America, and for good reason. It's versatile and easy to use on any kind of meat or vegetable.
Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce - 40 oz
Deliciously rich and sweet, this barbecue sauce elevates your grilling game with its mouthwatering flavor
Product information
$3.98
Product Review Score
4.5 out of 5 stars
142 reviewsProduct links
Best Gluten-Free
Stubb's Original Legendary BBQ Sauce.
This is a Texas-style sauce that has a savory and peppery flavor and a thin consistency. It's gluten-free and made with natural ingredients, including tomato paste, vinegar, molasses, and spices. It's great for marinating or basting beef or chicken.
Best for Chicken
Heinz Carolina Vinegar Style Tangy BBQ Sauce.
This is a vinegar-based sauce that has a tangy and sour flavor and a thin consistency. It's made with distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and spices. It's perfect for drizzling over grilled or smoked chicken or mixing with shredded chicken for sandwiches.
Heinz Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce - 3 Pack
Experience the bold tang of Carolina-style barbecue with every delicious drop of this three-pack sauce
Product information
$3.01
Product Review Score
4.09 out of 5 stars
115 reviewsProduct links
Best Organic
Good Food For Good Organic BBQ Sauce.
This is an organic sauce that has a tomato base and a mild flavor. It's sweetened with dates instead of sugar, making it low in calories and carbs. It's also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and paleo-friendly. It's suitable for any kind of meat or vegetable.
GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD Organic BBQ Sauce, 9.5 OZ
Elevate your grilling experience with this delicious and wholesome organic BBQ sauce made for flavor lovers
Product information
Product Review Score
4.77 out of 5 stars
206 reviewsProduct links
Choosing the Right One for You
These are some of the best barbecue sauces you can find on the shelves, but don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and brands until you find your favorite. You can also mix different sauces together to create your own custom blend.
Barbecue sauce is more than just a seasoning; it's an essential part of the barbecue experience. Whether you like it sweet, tangy, spicy, or smoky, there's a sauce for you. So grab a bottle and get ready to enjoy some delicious barbecue!
