The Best Barbecue Sauces for Summer BBQs
Keep these sweet, smoky and spicy BBQ sauces on hand for the best barbecue recipes.
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Summer's arrival means it’s time to fire up the grill (check out our best outdoor grills, here) and smoker to test your skills. Thankfully, our in-house GH Test Kitchen experts tested and rounded up the very best BBQ sauces to add plenty of flavor to your next plate of smoked ribs, your favorite grilled chicken recipe, tender barbecue brisket and so much more (best paired with a stellar BBQ side dish of course). Whether you like it spicy or sweet, with mustard or vinegar, our top brands have mastered their bbq sauce recipes to bring you finger-licking goodness, all season long. Read on for our favorites!
With a mustardy tang and a hint of sweetness, this 8-ingredient sauce is an all-around favorite, sure to please any palate. Taster's also liked Salt Lick's Spicy BBQ Sauce for its mild peppery bite that builds with each mouthful.
This thin, easy-pouring sauce is for the Carolina Barbecue lovers – it serves up a serious vinegar-forward flavor without being too tart or acidic.
Tasters loved this savory sauce, made by a New York-based barbecue restaurant, for the vibrant tomato flavor that popped with every bite.
Jalapeños give this tongue-tingling bottle its nice spice. Use it as a marinade for meats and veggies pre-grilling to infuse your dish a sweet, salty heat.
If you're looking combo of stellar sauces that will please every eater, check out this batch from Lillie's Q. The Gold is mustard-based, the Carolina has a generous hit of vinegar, and the Smoky sauce is seriously true to its name. Each will add something different to your cookout setup.
With ingredients like tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce), rice vinegar and sesame oil, a drizzle of this brand's BBQ sauce adds a savory flair to steaks, pulled pork and more (try a drizzle on fried rice).
The super-thick texture of this competition-worthy sauce means you'll get an even coating on all of your favorite summer dinners. Brush on ribs, grilled chicken breast and steaks for a sticky, sweet and spicy glaze.
This delicious bottle, with a short and clean ingredient list, packs a seriously fresh pineapple flavor into each bite with a smoky chipotle finish.
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