When it comes to BBQ sauce, there is so much diversity and so many starkly different recipes.
This is what makes it such an intriguing condiment category, but also one which is difficult to rank.
It also didn’t necessarily have to be sweet, but not too tangy or overly smokey either.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Did I feel a little juvenile eating them?
Was it worth it?
Then, the remaining choices were ranked from good to the absolute best.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The thickness is right, but it’s not the thickest in the taste test.
I assume these are mustard seeds, onion, or even garlic, based on the ingredient list.
It’s not necessarily a bad feature, just not something I expected.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
From there, I relished in its sweetness, but it never felt like a full-fledged barbecue sauce.
For this reason, it dropped to the bottom of my list.
But I did think to myself that it would make a great sauce for grilled or baked chicken.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The more approachable and kid-friendly brand hails from Mt.
Pleasant, S.C., where it was originally used at a beloved smokehouse.
The look:A darker mocha shade of brown, but a bit runny.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not that!
It spread out on the plate almost instantaneously after I poured it out.
The taste:It’s immediately sweet on the tongue, easing you in quite nicely.
However, it never fulfilled the smokey part of the equation.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
It would be better used as a glaze for ribs or the like.
Maybe the process of smoking or grilling is what really brings this sauce to its full potential.
And I’ll let you in on another secret: the company also has a line of slow-cookedBBQ meats.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
It also comes in what the brand calls a “handsome glass bottle.”
I can’t say I disagree.
The taste:I honestly expected a bit more from the Old No.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
It’s a fine sauce, don’t get me wrong.
There are high points like its smooth, almost creamy texture and consistently classic barbecue essence through and through.
Plus, it adheres well to anything and everythingincluding my finger as I went in for a pure taste.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Thick & Tangy and Brown Sugar & Bourbon make the list, as well as the Blue Label Specialties.
A bottle of the Original cost me just one George Washington note (originally priced at $1.69).
The look:Very red, light, and glossy.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
It’s almost similar to a ketchup, just more translucent with a purple tint.
The taste:This does not taste like your average, everyday barbecue sauce.
It offers a touch of spice, as promised.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
Plus, you’re free to’t beat the price!
As a lifelong Ohioan, I am proud to say that I have eaten there.
But do I remember the barbecue sauce?
Various colored speckles are spread throughout.
The stockpile is sufficient enough to feed an army or just an overly rowdy crowd at a summertime barbecue.
The bottle was originally priced at $2.49, but I paid $2.
The look:Even thicker than the Jack Daniel’s sauce, yet still not the thickest of all.
The tone is a deep shade of chocolate brown.
The taste:All the things a quality barbecue sauce should be.
It’s sweet and a tiny bit acidic with a pinch of rich smokiness.
From ketchup and mustard to relish and 57 Sauce, the company does it all in the sauce space.
This is definitely the thickest sauce of them all.
It also carries no hints of red whatsoever, just a straightforward dark brown.
However, the sauce does the brand name proud.
It isn’t spicy by any means but it does pack some mild heat.
However, I kept it classic with an Original bottle for $5.29.
The taste:Stubb’s is one of a kind.
Just like its appearance, the taste also gives off a taco sauce essence or Mexican flair.
It definitely leans more tangy and piquant rather than sweet.
The bottle cost me $3.98 at Walmart.
The look:Gloopy and so dark brown that it almost leans towards black.
It’s inviting, with little to no spice but a rich and complex flavor.
At first, I thought the smokiness was just a myth.
This sauce will definitely take you on a joyful journey to Flavortown!
There are a few saucy styles to choose from, like Smokey Apple or Touch O' Heat.
I had to go for Teague’s first and most popular sauce, the Honey Sweet.
It sold for $5.49.
I might have to keep it long after its contents are gone.
The sauce itself is a deep copper and viscid.
The taste:Like sweet liquid gold.
At the same time, it’s not just a one-trick pony.
Rufus Teague’s iteration really is the epitome of finger-lickin' good and barbecue sauce done right.
