Whether you’re grilling, slow cooking or need a good marinade, BBQ sauce is a versatile condiment that instantly elevates any dish. The right bottle can add life to a boring meal, but getting the right flavor is key. From sweet and spicy to tangy and smoky, there are plenty of options, but with so many brands it’s challenging to pick the perfect one.
To help narrow down the choices, Eat This, Not That! spoke with chefs who reveal their personal favorite BBQ sauces and why. Here are the best seven, according to the experts who use them behind the grill.
Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
Amazon
Stubbs has been delivering an authentic Texas flavor since 1968 and comes in a variety of flavors. For Dennis Littley, Chef and Recipe Expert at Ask Chef Dennis it’s one of his go-tos.
”This BBQ sauce always nails the balance between sweetness, tang, and peppery bite,” he says. “Just like a pitmaster would make.” He explains, ” It’s thick enough to cling as a glaze on ribs or chicken, but also versatile enough to use as a dip.”
Chef Dennis adds, “Its flavor and smell to me reminds me of a homemade bbq sauce. It’s smoky, and punchy without being overbearing, which makes it my go-to for anything from grilled meats to everyday sandwiches.”
Kyle Taylor, Founder / Chef at HE COOKS is also a fan and says, “It’s not fancy, but it’s honest. Tangy, tomato-forward, with just enough smoke to play well with anything off the grill. Stubb’s tastes like something your uncle might’ve made.”
Sweet Baby Rays Original BBQ Sauce
Sweet Baby Rays
Sweet Baby Rays Original BBQ Sauce strikes the right mix of sweet, smokey and tangy and is ideal for meats, sides and more.
“Sweet Baby Ray’s never disappoints when I want a classic sauce that everyone will like,” says Chef Dennis. “It’s got that smooth, sweet profile built on tomato and molasses, balanced by a touch of heat and vinegar.”
He adds, “It holds up whether you’re basting ribs, dunking fries, or adding a finishing touch to a toasted sandwich, and the consistency is always great too.”
Rachel Kirk, recipe developer for LaughingSpatula.com also grabs Sweet Baby Rays when she’s not making her own sauce.
“It’s all I’ll use,” she says. “I like that it’s sweet and not spicy. My favorite trick to really amp up the flavor even more is a trick my dad taught me- add a little bit of lime zest, lime juice, and honey to some Sweet Baby Rays for a homemade tasting BBQ sauce!”
Lillie’s Q Carolina Barbeque
Lillie’s Q
Lillie’s Q Carolina Barbeque is an award-winning sauce that pays homage to the Western Carolina barbecue traditions.
“It’s got a tangy, vinegar taste to it with a little sweetness and spice, making it perfect for pulled pork or smoked chicken,” says Chef Julian Boudreaux.
He adds, “Its thinner consistency is ideal for marinating or finishing dishes.”
Full Moon BBQ Sauce
Full Moon BBQ
Full Moon BBQ Sauce has earned a massive following from the string of Southern restaurants that serve their delicious sauce.
Chef Julian says, “It’s an Alabama-based restaurant chain, this sauce is a cult favorite for its near-perfect balance of sweetness, smokiness, tang, and spice, for me it really brings back the Southern authenticity you wish for in bbq sauces.”
Williamson Bros. Original BBQ Sauce
Williamson Bros. BBQ
Williamson Bros. Original BBQ Sauce is a must-have, according to Chef Kyle.
“This one flies under the radar if you’re not from the South, but it’s been a staple in Georgia for decades,” he says. “It’s got that classic balance of tang and sweetness, and it clings to ribs like it was made for them.”
Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce
Blues Hog
Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce is a bold and flavorful sauce that Chef Julian says is one to try.
“A favorite among competitive pitmasters, Blues Hog Original is an award-winning Kansas City-style sauce that took home with a sweet-spicy balance from brown sugar, molasses, and a hint of spice,” he explains.
Kinder’s Organic Mild BBQ Sauce
Rated 4.9 stars on Amazon, Kinder’s Organic Mild BBQ Sauce is beloved for its flavor, clean ingredients and great value. It’s also one that Chef Julian highly recommends.
“Originating from a California meat market, Kinder’s Organic Mild BBQ Sauce has a balanced, homestyle flavor that leans into the Kansas City-style with a tomato base, molasses, and a touch of smokiness. It has a great complexity with a hint of spice,” he says.
