Whether you’re basting chicken, dipping fries or marinating shrimp, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce makes a lot of sense with a whole lot of dishes.
The condiment, which comes in a bevy of unique variations hailing from different U.S. (and global) regions, is as versatile as it is delicious. It pairs effortlessly with meats, vegetables and starches and can be used in various preparations. In addition to the aforementioned glaze, dip and marinade, barbecue sauce can also be incorporated into salad dressings, drizzles and spreads for sandwiches.
I spoke with executive chef Daniel Wright of Great Jones Distilling Co. in New York to get his thoughts on what makes a perfect barbecue sauce like the one he uses on the restaurant’s rack of ribs.
“I use a homemade barbecue sauce that features our exclusive Great Jones Distilling Co.’s Four Grain Bourbon,” he tells me over email. “This special bourbon adds a unique depth of flavor, as it’s only available directly from the distillery. The bourbon’s distinct character enhances the sauce and makes our dishes stand out.”
Wright’s barbecue sauce also incorporates drippings collected from the ribs as they smoke, he says.
While the complexity of crafting this liquid gold isn’t a task home cooks may be willing to take on, Wright has a few quick tips for easily serving up flavor.
- Zhuzh up store-bought bottles: When he doesn’t have much time and is cooking for a large group, Wright turns to store-bought as a base. “I start by cooking down some onions and garlic with a barbecue spice blend,” he explains. “Then I add a dash of bourbon and brown sugar. To keep things simple for both adults and kids, I (then incorporate) equal parts Bull’s-Eye and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces. After bringing it to a boil and blending, it’s ready to go.”
- Understand the protein: “I always consider the fat content of the meat and how the sauce will enhance its flavor,” Wright says. “For ribs, I prefer a sauce with a touch of sweetness, as it balances the richness of the pork beautifully.”
- Seek balance: The chef recommends looking for sauces that offer “unique and well-balanced flavors.” He continues, adding that “A good barbecue sauce should have a harmony of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes.”
Sometimes, all you want to do is use a sauce right out of the bottle — and that’s where I come in.
For the purpose of this week’s taste test, I stuck to the sweeter and thicker tomato-based varieties from Memphis and Kansas City (even though I love a Carolina variety that’s heavy on vinegar, mustard and spices).
It should also be mentioned that none of the nine options below were horrible, which is a rarity in both the world of grocery store products and the world of Joey, where I find something to complain about on an hourly basis.
Check out which bottle blew the caps off of its competition.
9. Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
This sauce initially hit my palate like a tangy, peppery steak sauce, but it finished on the sweeter side. Frankly, my mouth was all types of confused and I couldn’t quite pinpoint what I’d want to douse it on. Red meat? Chicken? A trash can because it’s not something I’d purchase again? The evolution of flavor missed the mark.
8. 365 by Whole Foods Market Original Barbecue Sauce
This was a strong “OK.” The sauce was a touch too salty and almost ketchup-like, but it’s sufficient enough to have on stand-by for last-minute emergencies. While it won’t disappoint, it’s also not taking home any blue ribbons.
7. Bull’s-Eye Original BBQ Sauce
While it didn’t hit the bull’s eye due to its somewhat gag-inducing sweetness, I actually appreciated the tomato and vinegar-forward foundation of this barbecue sauce. There is a reason why chef Wright uses it as a base since all of the desired elements are there — it’s just not something I’d reach for over any of this raning’s top five.
6. Sweet Baby Ray’s Original Barbecue Sauce
Here is where things took a turn for the better. While Sweet Baby Ray’s certainly accommodates more sensitive eaters with its very safe, very sweet and very thick recipe, it was still quite delicious. I personally prefer a bit more heat and smoke, but I also paired this with dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, so I have no room to demand more complexity with my simple yet oh-so-satiating meal.
5. KC Masterpiece The American Original Barbecue Sauce
This was quite peppery, but also very fruit forward — almost like a grape jelly. This sauce was also very rich, which gave it a touch of sophistication. That said, I don’t think I could binge my way through a whole bottle without feeling as though my stomach needed to explode.
4. Jack Daniel’s Original Barbecue Sauce
This sauce had the potential to place last due to its overwhelming sweetness, but the signature, unique tang that comes from the alcohol helped it rank much higher. It also reminded me a bit of the Great Jones barbecue sauce with its subtly boozy bite, which certainty gave it a boost in my mind.
3. Trader Joe’s Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
There was a bit of separation of liquids in the jar, which made the consistency slightly unappealing. But those flavors … yum! Balanced, sweet, spicy and, dare I say, bright? It tasted as if this was made fresh in a home kitchen rather than in a production facility. Trader Joe’s has rolled out certified hits when it comes to sauces (hello, Green Dragon and peri-peri) and I’d put this offering right up there among the icons.
2. Stubb’s Original Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce
While this is undoubtedly a polarizing choice due to its extreme, vinegar-heavy tang and Texas roots (remember, Memphis and Kansas City were the focus of this ranking), I’d still take Stubb’s over an excessively sweet bottle any day. This put those other sauces to absolute shame and was the first bottle I finished upon opening. That’s because it tasted great on, well, practically everything: grilled meats, roasted veggies and even with chipotle salt on the rim of a bacon-heavy bloody mary. (Yes, I was really proud of myself for concocting that last one.)
1. Lillie'sQ Smoky Barbeque Sauce
I don’t know who Lillie Q is or where she comes from, but I want to shake her hand. This bottle was bangin’ and, best of all, the company offers sugar-free varieties that are equally as delicious. Where it shined most was its balance — the sauce hit every part of the palate and didn’t assault the taste buds with too much of one flavor. In fact, it was merely kissed by barbecue sauce’s trademark smoke — which didn’t taste artificial — making it … chef’s kiss.
