Best BBQ Sauces: Top 10 Reviewed

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Summer’s that time of the year when you get to celebrate and have some fun times with your family and friends in the outdoors. The best way to enjoy the sunny weather is by engaging in outdoor activities with friends and family, especially if you have kids. This is the prime time to pull out those BBQ grills and have a great picnic or camping adventure. Or, maybe it’s simply just a BBQ cookout at home in the backyard. And if you’re gonna BBQ, do it right, with nothing but the best BBQ sauce.

 

In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices

 

A BBQ cookout is a great way to bond with family and friends and enjoy a deliciously cooked meal at the same time. An item that can make or break your BBQ game is the sauce. Many people discount or don’t give full credits to the sauce, but eventually, it is the sauce that distinguishes your lamb chops or beef steaks and gives them a unique flavor profile.

 

The 10 Best BBQ Sauces

Now if you know anything about BBQ, you would know that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to whip up a decent BBQ sauce. But most of us don’t have the time, energy or simply the will needed for creating a sauce from scratch.

 

What Makes a Good Barbeque Sauce?

There are mainly two broad categories of sauces out there, namely the spicy vinegar type and the sweet, thicker Kansas City-style sauces. There a few essential components that should be present in any decent BBQ sauce. These are:

  • The texture can be thin and runny to even molasses-style thick. No particular texture makes or breaks the sauce. However, you must get a level of consistency in the texture as inconsistencies indicate poor craftsmanship.
  • Vinegar-based sauces should have that acidity level along with a peppery kick contained within the sauce and to round it off should be mellowed down with a tomato paste. Kansas City-style sauces should be sweeter and thicker but with just the right amount of heat. The spice shouldn’t overpower the sweet element.
  • The smell is the element that really beckons the stomach to dig right in. It is so crucial that it can make or break the whole BBQ. You can have an amazing cook on your barbequed food but if the smell is off, it just leaves a bad memory no matter the taste.

 

Popular Styles of Sauce

Let us take a close look at the different styles and flavors of sauces available.

 

Texas

We mentioned these tomato and vinegar-based sauces earlier.They are also referred to as mop-style or mop sauce. They are generally thinner than Kansas City-style sauces but not as light as Carolinian sauce. They should be applied in lower amounts as they contain a kick of garlic, Worchester sauce, and heat from black pepper.

 

Kansas City

This is the commonly available sauce in most supermarkets and grocery stores. It is a mix of tomato paste (often ketchup), sweetness, and a slight tang. The reddish-brown sauce you see your ribs drowning in is this one.

 

Lexington

Though an earlier version of the Kansas City-style sauce, this sauce is now native to the state of North Carolina and contains more tomato and spice than the Kansas City version.

 

East North Carolina

This sauce is a vinegar-based one with pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. One of the thinnest sauces out there, it derives its flavor profile mainly from the vinegar, pepper flakes, and other spices such as cayenne.

 

How to Choose the Best Sauce?

Now that we have covered the basics, it is time to delve deeper in how to make the best selection for your BBQ sauce from hundreds of choices.

 

The success of your BBQ depends on the sauce as it can elevate your dish to whole new levels of a pit master. The success of the meat lies in the balancing of the profile flavors, letting no particular ingredient overpower; otherwise, too much hot sauce can ruin the whole meat. It is imperative to choose the right sauce and put it in the right amount.

 

When deciding to choose the barbeque sauce, you can either opt to make one or buy but some people prefer doing both to get the right flavor. They get several sauces off the shelf and mix them to get the flavoring they prefer.

 

If you aren’t sure how to go about the selection process here are some tips to help you.

  • Choose a BBQ sauce that is a known brand if you don’t want to experiment with something new.
  • Knowing your preferences is important. You can read the sauce styled mentioned above to see what kind of taste you did like to go with your
  • Read the labels on the bottle carefully as the ingredients listed will give you a good idea of how the sauce tastes like.
  • There are specific sauces out there for specific types of foods so be sure to read the intended purpose of the sauce. For example,a sauce meant for seafood like cod might not go with beef.
  • Be sure to check for allergens as some sauces might contain peanuts or gluten.

 

Our 10 Favorite BBQ Sauces: Try ’em All!

Daddy Sam’s BBQ Sawce

Daddy Sam’s BBQ Sauce Gluten Free (Original Sauce, 2 Jars)
  • All Natural. Gluten Free. Dairy Free.
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup. No Peanuts/Tree Nuts, No MSG
  • Kosher Certified Chicago Rabbinical Council CRC
  • The Original Daddy Sams Recipe
  • Just Slop it On
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The only flaw associated with Daddy Sam’s BBQ Sawce is the intentional spelling error on the label but even that gives you a sense of closeness with the sauce. This sauce has been around for some time and has made quite a name for itself. Ready to be used on just about anything, any BBQ fan would appreciate the flavor that’s packed within the sauce. It is a great starting point for beginners and a safe bet when rolling out BBQ for larger crowds. The sauce is versatile and works with just about everything from veggies to meat and even seafood.

 

Sweet Baby Rays

Sweet Baby Ray’s Variety 3 Pack-Honey Barbecue Sauce-Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce-Sweet ‘n Spicy BBQ Sauce-18oz. bottles
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A Kansas City classic, Sweet Baby Rays is probably the most widely consumed and known sauce on this list. This sauce has been around for decades and has a sweet, cinnamon tasting and tangy brown look to it. It is a little thicker relative to similar BBQ sauces on the market but it gets the job done. It is a strong sauce but sometimes that is exactly what is required; using Sweet Baby Rays sauce at the last second on an under-seasoned BBQ item brings the dish back to life.

 

Pappy’s Hottest Ride

Pappy’s Hottest Ride in Town Barbecue Sauce
  • Burns faster and hotter, from tongue to tailpipe
  • Contains black pepper, xanthan gum, spices, lemon powder, habanero pepper and more
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Enthusiasts looking for a kick in their steaks, ribs, and chops should look no further than Pappy’s Hottest Ride. It is a mix of hot sauce and BBQ sauce for meat lovers looking to kill two birds with one stone. The sauce is indeed quite spicy and the makers have warned about this in their promotional content as well. This sauce is meant for true connoisseurs of the spice.

 

Sonny’s Real Pit Sizzlin’ & Smokin’ BBQ Sauce

Sonny’s BBQ Sampler Sweet Smokin’ Sizzlin Barbecue Sauce Bundle
  • Great for marinating, dipping, or a glaze to bring out your meats richest flavor
  • Consists mild (Sweet), medium (Smokin), and hot (Sizzlin) sauces
  • Straight from the south for that rich, down-home taste
  • From Sonnys Local Pitmasters Since 1968: a name you can trust
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This is one of the few sauces that retains the flavor expected from a high-quality sauce served at a well-known restaurant like Sonny’s Real. Sonny’s restaurant is well known among BBQ enthusiasts and this sauce of theirs contains a bit of sweet, a bit of tanginess, and a little more kick than Kansas City-style sauces. It is the perfect sauce for wanna-be pitmasters as it elevates the BBQ game to another level.

 

Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce

Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce (64 oz.)
  • A thick, gourmet sauce made from all-natural ingredients that “sticks to your meat” and has a “sweet with the right amount of heat” attitude! Voted “Best Baste on the Planet” and People’s Choice at the prestigious American Royal.
  • Excellent on pork, beef, wild game, fish, hot wings, mixed with ground meats, veggies, and especially on ribs.
  • Brown sugar, ketchup (red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, onion powder, natural flavors),
  • apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, spice, chili powder (chili pepper, spices, salt, garlic powder), paprika, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, sugar,
  • Dried Garlic, and Spices. ALLERGENS: Soy, Fish (Anchovies).
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Not only does Blue Hog carry the best bottle label on the list, but it really is a game changer taste-wise, especially for ribs. Blue Hog will work on any kind of meat as promised by their makers, such as hot wings, steaks, and chops but the sauce does wonder for ribs. It has an addictive, delicate stickiness to it that even making licking off your fingers enjoyable even after the meat is long gone.

 

Bone Suckin’ Sauce Original

Fords Gourmet Foods Bone Suckin’ Sauce Original BBQ Sauce
  • Product of USA. Pack of 1.
  • Bone Sucking Sauce Gluten Free Non GMO.
  • The Serious Barbecue, Grilling & Marinating Sauce For Land & Sea.
  • Serving Size 2 tbsp (35g), Servings Per Container 13.
  • Ingredients: Water, Molasses, Honey, Tomato Paste, Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled White Vinegar, Organic Yellow Mustard (Water, Organic Vinegar, Organic Mustard Seed, Salt, Organic Turmeric, Organic Paprika), Spices, Prepared Horseradish, Water, Organic Distilled Vinegar, Salt), Salt, Dried Onions, Dried Garlic, Xanthan Gum, Natural Smoke Flavor, Lemon Juice Concentrate.
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Bone Suckin’ Sauce might have a pretty aggressive name but the versatile sauce has a milder flavor profile than most other sauces out there. It goes well with any food item you might consider to BBQ such as salmon or steak. It even goes well with veggies. (But why would you want to make enemies by barbequing greens?)

 

Kosmos Q Peach Habanero

Kosmos Q Peach Habanero BBQ Sauce | Sweet & Spicy Flavor | Best Barbeque Sauce | Seasoning & Marinade | 16 Oz Bottle
  • TRANSFORM ORDINARY MEAT: Sick of unremarkable, tasteless meat? Our award-winning, Peach Habanero BBQ sauce will take your cooking to the next level, transforming poultry and beef into lip-smacking, head-turning, delicious meat that is sure to “wow” even the toughest of BBQ critics. You’ll soon find yourself being asked to host all of the family barbecues and tailgates!
  • A FLAVOR EXPLOSION: This delicious BBQ sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and heat, delivering a mouthwatering explosion of succulent peach and spicy habanero. The habanero mash, cane sugar, and Kosmos’ signature peach puree spices unite to give a robust peach flavor to your barbecue creations with a mild, yet thrilling, heat accent unlike any other that your tastebuds will crave.
  • EASY TO USE: Our BBQ Sauce will add knock-your-socks-off flavor to just about any meat! Whether you use it as a rib glaze, marinade, dipping sauce, wing coating, or condiment for burgers and hot dogs, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy sweet-smelling and deliciously succulent meat with our infinitely customizable sauce!
  • ALL THINGS BARBECUE: With a versatile flavor that is great for kickin’ up almost anything, this BBQ Sauce is not only a fantastic seasoning or glaze for a variety of meats, including chicken, pork, beef and seafood, but also the perfect sauce for spicing up your other favorite foods. You can use it as a pizza sauce or condiment and enhance the flavor of casseroles, potatoes, baked beans and more!
  • THE SECRET IS KOSMOS Q: Since its formation in 2009, Kosmos Q has won multiple championships, both grand and reserve, in the highly competitive world of BBQ. Kosmos Q attends 30 competitions each year, caters events on the infield of NASCAR’s “Texas Motor Speedway,” and held the position of the nation’s 2nd best food truck for a year and a half. Every product developed by Kosmos Q is rigorously tested. If it’s not good enough for us at Kosmos Q, then it’s not good enough for you.
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Firstly you should understand that the flavoring of this sauce is unique and not everyone’s cup of tea. But being different has worked well for this sauce. This sauce stands out with its distinct combination of flavors by blending the sweetness from peach with the spiciness of habanero pepper. Although there are many sauces out there that offer a combination of sweet and spicy, this one just has the perfect balance between the two opposite flavors.

 

Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce

Stubbs Original BBQ Sauce, Gluten Free, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, 18 Ounce, Pack of 3
  • YOUR FAVORITE BBQ SAUCE: Keep this tangy tomato-vinegar-molasses-and-black pepper taste on hand for chicken, beef or pork
  • HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS: Stubbs BBQ Sauces are made with high-quality ingredients like real tomatoes and contain no high fructose corn syrup
  • DIETARY FRIENDLY: Stubbs Sauces are gluten-free and non-GMO project verified
  • NOTHING ARTIFICIAL: Stubbs Sauces do not have any artificial colors or flavors added
  • RECIPE TIP: Just add 2-4 tablespoons of our Original Bar-B-Q Sauce to bring Stubbs legacy to 2-3 pounds racks for some Sweet Baby Back Ribs
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With quite a long history behind this sauce, Stubb’s sauce is one of the more premium vinegar-based sauces available on the market today. The sauce has visible strands of garlic and pepper which are a contributing factor to the slight kick. It also features a blend of tomato and vinegar but not the sweetness that is characteristic of ketchup-based sauces. Instead, this sauce gives you more of a deeper tomato paste, one that leaves a smoky, spicy after-taste.

 

Bull’s-Eye BBQ Sauce

Bull’s Eye Original Barbecue Sauce (18oz Bottles, Pack of 6)
  • Bulls Eye
  • Original
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • 18oz Bottle
  • Pack of 6
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One of the most used sauces at cookouts and barbeques, Bulls-Eye is a household name when it comes to Kansas City-based sauces. It carries a little acidity, some heat, the familiar smokiness of a BBQ sauce, and major sweetness. The sweetness can be overpowering for some palates though. Some may find its taste to be very generic but even they would say that it’s not bad. Available in 9 varieties, this sauce can be found at almost all grocery stores.

 

Lillie’s Q Ivory BBQ Sauce

Lillie’s Q – Ivory Barbeque Sauce, Gourmet BBQ Sauce, Tangy White BBQ Sauce, Sugar-Free Sauce, All-Natural Ingredients, Made with Gluten-Free Ingredients (17 oz)
  • A NORTHERN ALABAMA SAUCE TRADITION WITH ZERO SUGAR: Enjoy flavors as authentic as the places they come from—including our Ivory Barbeque Sauce with black pepper. This tangy sauce is a true WHITE BBQ sauce with a pinch of cayenne & no sugar.
  • OUR PREMIUM BBQ SAUCES FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITES: We love to use our barbeque sauces on all of our favorites! But, our Ivory BBQ Sauce is the perfect grilling sauce for chicken & fries. Its tradition you can see & taste.
  • OUR GOURMET SAUCES HAVE A STORY TO TELL: Why No. 65? Our white BBQ sauce gets some puzzled looks, but hop on I-65 until you reach Decatur, Alabama—the undisputed home of white BBQ sauces—and see how normal it is. Road trip anyone?
  • ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS TO WRITE HOME ABOUT: Our barbeque sauces are made from a unique blend of all-natural ingredients & are made with gluten-free ingredients. That means no high fructose corn syrup, no MSG, no preservatives, & more.
  • AUTHENTICALLY CRAFTED SOUTHERN BBQ: Serving up barbeque that is true to regional traditions while creating unique, reimagined flavors is an art form. Thanks to Grandma Lillie, a full family lineage of BBQ passion—we believe we’ve mastered it.
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One of the most underrated sauces in BBQ is perhaps the white sauce. This sauce is a North Alabama classic and is a white meat specialty (chicken and pork). It is not meant for steaks or burger and why would it? It is a creamy sauce not a tangy brown one, folks! Lillie’s Q Ivory BBQ sauce is an acquired taste but once you know how to use it and how much it can really elevate your white protein game at your next cookout, you won’t have a barbeque without it.

 

Our Final Thoughts

There are hundreds of BBQ sauces out there, each with their unique flavors. Some preferred because of their features such as no preservatives, others are preferred due to allergy concerns (gluten and peanuts) but the flavor is the top priority when most people are seeking the best BBQ sauce.

 

The list above honors the top sauce from each flavor category such as Kansas City, hot and even a white sauce. You should keep in mind that your taste preference might be different from that of your friends or family and if you are buying a sauce for a cookout or gathering then it would be best to ask them to help in deciding the sauce.

 

You can also opt to create the best of both worlds by combining BBQ sauces. For example, if there is a particularly spicy BBQ sauce you enjoy but your guests can’t bear that much heat, you can try making things mild by mixing the sauce in tomato ketchup or even fresh tomato paste. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Be creative and be bold with your flavors.

 

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