The ultimate guide to barbecue sauces
Get sauced
Whether you’re grilling in the backyard for a casual summer cookout or meticulously smoking meats for a high-stakes barbecue competition, the right barbecue sauce can move your dish from merely good to absolutely lip-smackingly great. The magic of barbecue sauce lies in its ability to enhance the natural flavors of the meat, add complexity and provide that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, smoky and spicy notes. A well-chosen sauce can change an ordinary piece of meat into a culinary masterpiece, impressing your guests and leaving them craving more.
Kansas City style
Kansas City barbecue sauce is the heavyweight champion of sweetness with a thick, tomato-based blend spiked with molasses or brown sugar and vinegar. Imagine a candy store that decided to moonlight as a barbecue joint. Sweet and tangy, it’s the syrupy hug your ribs have been longing for.
Boss sauce: KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue Sauce
Slather and serve: Generously coat baby back ribs and let them caramelize on the grill.
Saucy secret: If your ribs aren’t sticking to your fingers, you’re not doing it right. Consider it a badge of honor.
Texas style
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including its barbecue bravado. This thinner, less sweet sauce swaps sugar for swagger, with a tomato sauce or ketchup base, vinegar and a Texas-sized punch of spices like cumin and chili powder. It’s the perfect partner for a beef brisket with an attitude.
Boss sauce: Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
Slather and serve: Brush it onto a smoked beef brisket or a hearty rack of beef ribs.
Saucy secret: The robust spices enhance the deep, smoky flavor of the meat.
South Carolina style
Mustard-based and unmistakable, this sauce blends yellow mustard, vinegar, sugar and spices. Think of it as the golden ticket to barbecue nirvana.
Boss sauce: Maurice’s Southern Gold BBQ Sauce
Slather and serve: Drizzle it over smoked pork or chicken, chicken wings or pulled pork. The mustard base is also fantastic as a dipping sauce.
Saucy secret: The tangy mustard cuts through the fatty richness, offering a delightful contrast.
Eastern North Carolina style
Eastern North Carolina barbecue sauce is so thin and vinegary, it’s practically a liquid asset. Heavy on the pepper, it’s like a tangy tidal wave for your taste buds.
Boss sauce: Scott’s Barbecue Sauce
Slather and serve: Perfect for pulled-pork sandwiches. Douse the meat in this vinegary wonder, and pile it high on a soft bun.
Saucy secret: This sauce’s tanginess cuts through the richness of the pork, creating a mouthwatering balance.
Western North Carolina style
Take Eastern North Carolina’s act, add a touch of tomato sauce or ketchup, and you’ve got a saucy sequel with a hint of sweetness.
Boss sauce: Bone Suckin’ Sauce Original
Slather and serve: Use it on pork shoulder or ribs. A slight sweetness complements the vinegar kick, making it a versatile choice for almost any pork dish.
Saucy secret: The tomato addition adds a depth that enhances the meat’s natural flavors.
Memphis style
Balancing sweetness and tang, like a seasoned comic juggles punchlines, this sauce is a thinner cousin to Kansas City-style. With spices like paprika and black pepper, it delivers a spicy one-two punch that’s no joke.
Boss sauce: Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce
Slather and serve: Ideal for slow-smoked pork ribs. Apply it during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let the flavors meld perfectly.
Saucy secret: The late application allows the spices to penetrate without burning.
Alabama style
Breaking all the rules, mayonnaise-based Alabama white sauce mixes vinegar, lemon juice and pepper. It’s the quirky cousin of the bunch, typically used on chicken and pork. It’s as if a creamy salad dressing crashed a barbecue party and stole the show.
Boss sauce: Big Bob Gibson Original White Sauce
Slather and serve: Traditionally used on smoked chicken, but it’s also amazing on turkey or as a tangy dip for veggies.
Saucy secret: Its creamy texture complements the smokiness of the meat.
St. Louis style
Similar to Kansas City-style, but with a more pronounced vinegar kick, this barbecue sauce offers a tangy twist. It’s perfect for those who enjoy their barbecue with a touch of sass.
Boss sauce: Maull’s Genuine BBQ Sauce
Slather and serve: Great for spare ribs or pork steaks. The vinegar tang cuts through the richness, making it a delightful complement to grilled meats.
Saucy secret: The vinegar bite balances the sweet and smoky notes, enhancing every bite.
Kentucky style
Known for its Worcestershire sauce base, Kentucky black sauce is a savory and tangy concoction. Imagine if a steak sauce got lost in the woods and found its way to a barbecue — bold, rich and unapologetically robust.
Boss sauce: Elmwood Stock Farm BBQ Sauce
Slather and serve: Best on grilled or smoked mutton, but also works well with lamb.
Saucy secret: The umami-rich Worcestershire adds depth, making it a standout choice for richer meats.
