I’ve posted about grilling and BBQ a lot lately. One thing I haven’t covered in great detail is BBQ sauce. Though some argue that a good smoked meat doesn’t need sauce, I am a fan of the sweet and smoky condiment. So let’s look at the top 5 best BBQ sauces you can get at any supermarket.
I’ve tried a fair amount of BBQ sauces in my day, but I haven’t tried them all. This is a ranking of the best sauces I have tried that I am fairly confident anyone could find at their local grocer. These are the mainstream sauces. In the future, we’ll look into specialty sauces and some local favorites.
5. Kraft Original BBQ Sauce
Kraft BBQ sauce holds a special place in my heart. It’s what I grew up on. Kraft makes an extremely affordable bottle of sauce. This is the basis for which I compare all other sauces.
The sauce isn’t going to knock your socks off. It is solid, but not spectacular. I consider it a safe sauce that no guests will have a problem with.
Despite venturing into better and bolder sauces over the years, I still go back to Kraft from time to time. It goes great with Kick’N Chicken seasoning as showcased in my BBQ chicken recipe. It is also one of the key ingredients in one of my all-time favorite grilled foods, my dad’s BBQ burgers.
The cheap price point makes Kraft a great option for kids as well. It is one of my go-to sauces for my kids’ chicken nuggets, along with another option we’ll see later on in the list.
4. KC Masterpiece
KC Masterpiece is another option you are probably familiar with. The sauce out of the Kansas City school of BBQ boasts ingredients from several of the famous BBQ regions. Invented in 1977, this sauce has stood the test of time and remains one of the most popular on the market.
As the name implies, KC Masterpiece is a Kansas City-style of BBQ sauce. It is thick and sweet with a vinegar kick. That tanginess lends itself well to chicken, much like the Kraft BBQ sauce. I have the KC sauce as a slight notch above Kraft. These two are of a similar style.
3. Cattleman’s
Another member of the Kansas City family, Cattleman’s BBQ sauce is a step above the previous entries. This sauce has a much stronger kick than either KC Masterpiece or Kraft. The flavors are bolder, and the tangy is kicked up to 11.
Cattleman’s goes great with a variety of BBQ dishes, from pulled pork to chicken. This sauce goes amazingly well with chicken tenders too. A lot of local chicken tender joints use this as their go-to sauce.
Cattleman’s is not quite as thick as KC Masterpiece. If the thickness of the previous two entries is not your cup of sauce, Cattleman’s maybe for you.
2. Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce
Jack Daniel’s makes good bourbon, but they might make even better BBQ sauce! This amazing condiment has a deep flavor profile that is both unique and memorable. Thicker sauces have dominated the list so far, and Jack Daniel’s continues the streak.
This sauce is absolutely fantastic on ribs. It works great on pulled pork as well. I’ve been eager to try it on a grilled burger, as I think the two could be a match made in heaven.
1. Sweet Baby Ray’s
The top spot goes to the best-selling brand of BBQ sauce in the country, Sweet Baby Ray’s. This sauce doesn’t have the strongest flavor, but its versatility makes it the king of the hill. Sweet Baby Ray’s goes good with everything, from smoked chicken to baby back ribs. You can’t go wrong with this sauce.
Baby Ray’s is my other go-to sauce for my kids. They love it with chicken nuggets. I’ve worked at several restaurants that use this sauce for everything. I’ve found very few people that didn’t like this sauce.
Sweet Baby Ray’s is a thick sauce, but not super thick. It is probably the sweetest option on the list, but that sweetness just makes it more addicting. Sweetness is a great counter to the smokiness of saltiness of most BBQ meats.
That’s my list of the top 5 BBQ sauces you can find in any grocery store. I may have to alter it in the future as more sauces become widespread. I’ve also heard that Jack Daniel’s sauce is becoming harder to find in some locations. I look forward to doing more “research” on the subject and testing more sauces!
I want to know what YOU think! What is your favorite BBQ sauce from the supermarket? Leave a comment below and let me know!
