master-cooks | Guy Fieri's BBQ Sauces, Ranked Worst To Best

Guy Fieri, the charismatic chef known for his bold flavors, has an array of BBQ sauces that cater to diverse palates. Starting with the least impressive, the Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce tends to be overly sweet, overshadowing the smoky undertones that BBQ enthusiasts cherish. Its thick consistency can dominate dishes rather than complement them. Following is the Kansas City Smokey & Sweet BBQ Sauce, which offers a classic smoky flavor but lacks the complexity and depth found in other sauces. It’s a safe choice but not particularly memorable. The Carolina #6 BBQ Sauce stands out with its vinegar-forward profile, providing a tangy contrast that pairs well with pork, though it might be too sharp for some tastes. Moving up the ranks, the Pacific Rim BBQ Sauce impresses with its fusion of Asian-inspired flavors like ginger and soy, adding a unique twist to traditional BBQ. At the top, the Root Beer BBQ Sauce is celebrated for its inventive blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes, creating a versatile sauce that elevates a variety of dishes. Overall, while all the sauces have their merits, some shine brighter in terms of flavor balance and culinary versatility.

5. Guy Fieri's Flavortown Mop Sauce barbecue sauce

The Flavortown Mop Sauce boasts a rich, dark hue and a thin texture, making it easy to drizzle over grilled meats. Typically applied with a mop or a large brush, it helps keep the meat moist and tender, which is how it earned its quirky name. However, as a dipping sauce, it falls short. Being vinegar-based, it certainly delivers a tangy kick, but it lacks the deep umami flavor we were hoping for and is also low on spice. Without a touch of sweetness or smokiness to create balance, we found it somewhat disappointing when paired with chicken tenders.

In terms of added sugar, it ranks the lowest in the Flavortown range, containing just 6 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. With only 230 milligrams of sodium per serving, it has less salt than all but one of the other Flavortown barbecue sauces. While it does contain molasses and brown sugar, the flavor is primarily driven by tomato paste and apple cider vinegar. Notably, this sauce does not include anchovy, which may explain why it tasted less savory compared to some of the other offerings from Flavortown.

4. Guy Fieri's Flavortown Honey barbecue sauce

The honey in the Flavortown honey barbecue sauce adds a notable sweetness, but it wasn't the most well-rounded choice from Guy Fieri. This sauce is one of only two that doesn't contain anchovy in its ingredients, which accounts for its absence of savory umami flavor. While the texture was acceptable, it wasn't as thick as our preferred sauces. Overall, the sugary taste and thinner consistency make this a sauce we would probably skip in the future.

Surprisingly, it had one of the lowest sugar contents, with only 7 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. Considering its ingredient list and sweet profile, we anticipated a much higher figure. If you're looking for a sweet sauce that isn't packed with added sugars, the honey variety is worth a try. It also has a lower sodium content than the top sauce, with 280 milligrams per serving. Otherwise, you might want to opt for something with more complexity from smoky or spicy elements.

3. Guy Fieri's Flavortown Kane Brown's Tennessee BBQ sauce

Guy collaborated with country artist Kane Brown for this barbecue sauce, which features a sweet profile from the Tennessee-style sauce along with a spicy kick. While it’s quite substantial, it’s not as thick as some of the higher-ranked options. This sauce is based on a traditional tomato foundation, but the addition of chili pepper extract provides an extra layer of heat. The ingredient list closely resembles that of the hickory sauce, making them the two most similar in flavor, with the Tennessee version standing out due to its added spice.

This sauce boasts the lowest sodium content among all the Flavortown selections, containing just 210 milligrams per serving. However, it does have a significant amount of sugar, with 10 grams per serving, incorporating both brown and white sugar in its formulation. Despite the high sugar level, we found this sauce quite enjoyable, as the blend of sweetness and heat creates a delightful balance and rich flavor.

2. Guy Fieri's Flavortown Carolina BBQ sauce

If you're a fan of mustard-based barbecue, you'll definitely enjoy the Flavortown Carolina BBQ sauce. This Carolina gold-style barbecue originated in South Carolina and has gained popularity as a tasty regional style. The sauce packs a punch, much like Guy himself. It leans more towards mustard than vinegar, yet maintains a balance of both, which we believe is crucial for authentic Carolina Gold. The ingredient list features anchovies, adding a rich, savory depth. It's thick enough for dipping, but we also recommend slathering it on chicken before grilling.

This sauce contains a moderate amount of added sugar, with 8 grams per serving, but it has the highest sodium content on our list at 320 milligrams per 2-tablespoon serving. If you're watching your salt intake, you might want to explore other options. At the very least, keep a glass of water nearby, as this sauce will definitely leave you thirsty. Despite its salty profile, it was one of our top picks.

1. Guy Fieri's Flavortown Smokin' Hickory barbecue sauce

The hickory flavor in Flavortown's hickory barbecue sauce is robust, reminiscent of Guy's iconic hairstyle. It features a delightful blend of sweetness and smokiness typical of traditional barbecue sauces. Unsurprisingly, anchovy is included in the ingredients, adding a savory depth. This sauce was also the thickest among those we sampled, earning high marks for its texture. From the very first bite, it quickly became our favorite, perfectly balancing the sweet and savory elements with an added smokiness and a touch of tang that awakened our taste buds. It adhered beautifully to our chicken tenders without any drips, allowing us to savor every last drop.

However, our enthusiasm waned when we examined the nutrition facts. Each serving contains a staggering 17 grams of sugar, which is 7 grams more than the Tennessee-style sauce and more than double that of the Carolina Gold. If you're looking to cut back on sugar, this sauce may not be the best choice for frequent use. It also has 270 milligrams of sodium per serving, placing it in the middle range compared to the other sauces we evaluated. Nevertheless, in terms of taste and texture, it truly excelled, securing the top position.

How we ranked Guy Fieri's BBQ sauces

In compiling this ranking, we analyzed customer feedback from online retailers, including images showcasing how customers utilized and enjoyed these sauces, alongside our own experiences with Guy Fieri's Flavortown barbecues. During our evaluation, we prioritized taste and texture, as an exceptional barbecue sauce should enhance meats with a rich, savory flavor while also being thick enough for dipping. Our top picks exhibited a harmonious blend of various flavor profiles, whether sweet, savory, smoky, or spicy. We appreciated the added zest from vinegar or mustard in the standout sauces. Additionally, we took nutritional aspects into account, paying close attention to the sugar and sodium content in each sauce.

Guy Fieri's BBQ Sauces, Ranked Worst To Best