BBQ Sauces

There's no doubt barbecue sauces are the stars of every grilling party. They turn ribs into sticky goodies and steaks into authentic masterpieces. The sauces and condiments used when grilling meat can turn an ordinary meal into a feast.

Of course, not all BBQ sauces are created equal. So, what are the most popular BBQ sauces, and what makes them unique? Here are our Top 3 BBQ Sauces and how to use them.

1. Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce

Let's start with a less-common BBQ sauce but a delicious one. Mustard is a seed, and when ground and mixed with vinegar and other condiments, it becomes a flavorful and intensely aromatic ingredient.

Infuse your meat with mustard-based BBQ sauces as they do in South Carolina, especially if you combine mustard with vinegar, brown sugar, and lots of spices. This marinade is compatible with pork, cooked low and slow until fork-tender. Look no further for a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with lots of personality.

2. Tomato-Based BBQ Sauce

Places with deep barbecue traditions, including Western Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City, and, to some extent, Texas, rely on tomato paste and sometimes ketchup to craft flavorful, often sticky BBQ sauces.

Tomato is the most prominent base for BBQ sauces nationwide, and it's easy to see why — tomatoes add sweet, tangy, and umami flavors to the sauce and a lovely thick consistency. This BBQ sauce is ideal for beef cuts, callous cuts that tenderize after long hours, like brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs!

3. Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce

Let's end with a banger, a wonderfully sour BBQ sauce that brings forward the meat's flavor thanks to its chief ingredient — vinegar—this one's popular in East Carolina but also every other corner of the country.

This thin sauce is best for mopping the meat, and although the sauce variety is highly acidic, it's often balanced by spices and hot pepper flakes; the tangy vinegar cuts through the fat in meat, so it's mainly used for fatty pork. There are endless variations for this one.

Have you used a BBQ sauce? What's your favorite? Every grill master has his secret, so what's yours?