Popular BBQ Sauces On Amazon, Ranked

10. We Love You original Korean barbecue sauce

If you're seeking a departure from the usual tomato-based sauces, consider trying We Love You Korean barbecue sauce. Before diving into our review, we should mention that we anticipated this sauce would stand out from typical BBQ options. With nearly 1,500 reviews and an impressive 4.4-star rating, we were eager to see how it measured up. This sauce is rich in umami, featuring soy, ginger, and garlic, which combine to create a distinctive flavor perfect for grilling and ideal for homemade Korean barbecue. It serves well as both a marinade and a dipping sauce, which we enjoyed with chicken. The sauce's versatility elevated its ranking beyond what flavor alone might suggest. Additionally, it boasts a pleasing texture, with ample minced ingredients that give it more substance than a standard sauce.

We sampled the medium spicy version, which had a stronger red pepper presence compared to the widely favored original recipe. However, it didn't deliver the level of heat we anticipated, even when paired with chicken nuggets. Both versions feature a robust ginger and garlic flavor, thanks to the generous use of granulated garlic, minced garlic, and ginger in the ingredients. Soy sauce is the primary ingredient and clearly the dominant flavor in every bite. If you're a fan of Korean barbecue, this sauce is likely to become your new go-to condiment. However, if you're in search of a classic Western barbecue flavor, this sauce may not meet your expectations.

9. Capital City mambo sauce

Since relocating to the D.C., Maryland, Virginia region, it seems that Capital City mambo sauce is everywhere. When we found out it was available on Amazon with a rating of 4.5 stars and nearly 20,000 reviews, we knew we had to give it a try. The sauce comes in a handy squeezable bottle with a slim lid, which helps prevent spills—a common issue with other barbecue sauces. We were already pleased with this choice even before it reached the table.

The flavor was reminiscent of a sweet and sour sauce blended with barbecue, and we could envision using it in various cooking methods. It's an incredibly versatile sauce that works well as a glaze, barbecue, or marinade, though we weren't as fond of it as a dipping sauce. Perhaps we were hoping for something with a bit more heat or a smoky undertone, but the sweet and sour profile didn't quite replace traditional barbecue flavors. The recipe includes soy sauce, which ended up being a more prominent flavor than we anticipated from this tomato-based sauce. There’s also a sweet-hot version available, featuring habanero pepper extract.

At over $8 for a 12-ounce bottle, this is one of the more expensive options on the list, which affected our overall impression. While it tasted great and we would gladly incorporate it into our cooking repertoire, the price makes it difficult to justify, especially since it’s not the best choice for dipping.

8. Heinz barbecue sauce

We sampled the Heinz Kansas City barbecue sauce, which claimed to be "sweet and smoky." It certainly lived up to the sweet aspect, but it wasn't as smoky as some of the other BBQ sauces we tried. The flavor was reminiscent of Sweet Baby Ray's, which wasn't surprising given that it had the second-highest sugar content per serving among the sauces we tested. Its thick consistency made it perfect for dipping, as it adhered well to each nugget, providing an extra layer of flavor. However, the taste was rather ordinary, and due to the high sugar level, we would likely pass on this sauce if other options were available.

Heinz offers a variety of other flavor options, which we appreciated for the sake of variety. Each sauce was labeled with its regional flavor, ranging from North Carolina's mustard-based sauce to Texas-style bold and spicy BBQ. If you're looking to create a sampler of different dipping sauces, Heinz is a dependable choice. However, if you're in search of a truly exceptional sauce, you might find this one to be somewhat underwhelming.

7. Kraft barbecue sauce

Kraft barbecue sauce pleasantly surprised us with its exceptional flavor, rivaling some pricier options on our list while being one of the most budget-friendly choices. We had previously tried the original version, which was decent, but for this taste test, we opted for the highly popular slow-simmered brown sugar recipe. With over 4,000 reviews on Amazon, it was a must-try. The sauce boasts a rich, sweet taste from the brown sugar, though it’s not overly sweet compared to some alternatives. Notably, it contains 4 grams less sugar per serving than Sweet Baby Ray's, making the slightly less sweet flavor acceptable to us. Interestingly, it resembled the molasses-based sauces on our list more than we anticipated, despite being marketed as a brown sugar variety.

The sauce has a thick consistency that pairs perfectly with chicken nuggets, coating them beautifully with minimal drippage. Priced at under $2 for an 18-ounce bottle, it’s an excellent option for those on a budget. Younger taste testers particularly enjoyed it due to its sweet flavor and lack of spiciness. Since kids tend to go through condiments quickly, the affordable price also pleased the adults footing the grocery bill.

6. Bone Suckin Sauce

Bone Suckin' Sauce is marketed as a sauce for ribs and wings, but it can be utilized in any barbecue-style dish. It is available in both regular and thick varieties, along with a spicier option. We opted for the regular Southern-style sauce to find out what the excitement was about, and we were pleasantly surprised. The sauce strikes a wonderful balance of sweetness, smokiness, and spice, although the spicy version may be too intense for some. Even the regular version has a slight kick. If you’re a fan of the flavor and want to enhance it further, try adding a sprinkle of Bone Suckin' Sauce spice rub to your meat before grilling it with the sauce.

It's advisable to give the sauce a quick stir before using it on your meat, as it tends to be a bit thin. Bone Suckin' Sauce also offers a thicker version, which we recommend if you intend to use it as a dipping sauce. However, the standard version is ideal for cooking, marinating, glazing, and even dipping in a pinch. The only reason it didn’t rank higher on our list was its thinner consistency, although it was a close contender against thicker sauces. Additionally, the $15 price for an 18-ounce jar was difficult to justify when it didn’t fully meet our criteria for an outstanding barbecue sauce suitable for both cooking and dipping.

5. Stubb's barbecue sauce

Stubb's is a brand known for its wide variety of flavorful options, and we opted for the sticky sweet sauce. This sauce is tomato-based and contains a generous amount of sugar, brown sugar, and molasses. Stubb's offers a thick barbecue sauce that is ideal for generously applying to sandwiches or mixing with pulled pork. It also excels as a basting sauce for ribs, as it adheres well to whatever it coats. While the flavor is important, it’s the thick consistency that distinguishes Stubb's from some other brands. We found it less appealing as a dipping sauce because the sweetness was almost overwhelming for our palates. However, for ribs, this sauce would be our top choice due to its delightful flavor and, more importantly, its rich texture.

We also tried the sweet heat variety and found it preferable to the sticky sweet option from Stubb's. The addition of chipotle chili sauce introduces a hint of spice without overshadowing the sweetness, creating a much better balance and enhancing its versatility. While the sticky sweet sauce complements beef or pork ribs nicely, the sweet heat version has enough complexity to pair well with chicken as well.

4. Cattlemen's Carolina Tangy Gold BBQ sauce

Cattlemen's Carolina Tangy Gold BBQ Sauce was the only Carolina-style sauce we sampled, making it challenging to compare directly with others on our list. However, most Cattlemen's sauces available on Amazon were sold in bulk, which meant the Carolina Gold was one of the few suitable for a typical household. This limited availability placed it lower on our list, as one of our criteria was the ease of ordering from Amazon. Nevertheless, in terms of flavor, it was certainly one of our top picks.

The taste was outstanding and packed with flavor, featuring both mustard and vinegar for an extra tangy kick. While it doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup, it does have a higher sugar content compared to some alternatives. This was unexpected, as it isn't particularly sweet, so keep this in mind if you're trying to reduce your sugar intake.

The sauce was slightly thinner than some of the very thick Kansas City-style options, but thicker than wing sauces or marinades. It worked well as a dipping sauce, but we’re eager to try it while grilling pork chops. The sugar content would help it caramelize beautifully, creating a nice crust on the pork, while the mustard would enhance the flavor. Packaged in a generous 38-ounce bottle for under $5, it’s an excellent BBQ sauce choice for cooking for a crowd without straining your budget.

3. Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce

As the motto of Sweet Baby Ray's implies, this sauce is truly the king of flavor. Available in various varieties, the original remains the standout favorite. It leans towards the sweeter side, which complements its tomato-based recipe beautifully. We always reach for this sauce when preparing pulled pork sandwiches, as its sweetness pairs perfectly with the savory pork. Its thick consistency makes it an excellent dipping sauce, and our kids often hunt for it in the fridge when we serve chicken nuggets. The hickory and brown sugar blend adds a layer of complexity with its smoky undertones, making it our preferred choice for chicken or pork chops.

We've enjoyed this sauce for years due to its delightful sweetness, but upon reviewing the nutrition facts and ingredients, we had some concerns. With a staggering 16 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving, it feels excessive, especially when there are other sauces we enjoy just as much or even more that contain significantly less sugar. While this sauce ranks high in terms of flavor, the added sugar has caused us to reconsider its frequent use.

2. 365 original barbecue sauce

The 365 original barbecue sauce is part of Whole Foods' store brand, and you can also find it on Amazon due to a collaboration between the two retailers. This sauce is tomato-based and enriched with molasses, providing a rich flavor profile. While you might anticipate a predominantly sweet taste, it leans more towards smoky undertones. The ingredient list features spices such as cumin, cayenne pepper, coriander, garlic powder, and natural hickory smoke flavor, adding a delightful complexity that surpasses typical barbecue recipes. Its thick consistency makes it an excellent dipping sauce. Although it is tomato-based, the molasses balances the acidity, resulting in a well-rounded flavor.

This sauce is vegan-friendly and adheres to Whole Foods' rigorous quality standards, just like other products in the 365 range. It is free from high fructose corn syrup, synthetic colors, and artificial sweeteners. Whole Foods also offers a Kansas City-style sauce known as Kansas City Love, which is slightly more expensive but made entirely with organic ingredients. This KC sauce tends to be sweeter, catering to those who prefer that flavor profile.

Overall, the 365 sauce strikes a perfect balance between quality ingredients and exceptional taste. It isn’t overly sugary but still carries a touch of sweetness alongside that delightful smoky essence. For a barbecue sauce that we can enjoy guilt-free, this is our top pick.

1. Traeger original barbecue sauce

Traeger barbecue sauces are incredibly thick, which we absolutely love, making it a must-try in our comparison. It ranks among the best barbecue sauces available in grocery stores, so we were eager to see how it measured up against popular options on Amazon. We chose the original recipe, which features a delightful molasses flavor that adds sweetness, along with a natural smoke flavor for added depth. To our surprise, the ingredients list included pineapple juice. While you can't taste it in the sauce, it contributes a brightness that distinguishes this sauce from others. The flavor made it one of our overall favorites.

The original recipe contains a significant amount of added sugar, but some of the other flavor varieties, like our top pick, apricot barbecue, have up to 5 grams less sugar per serving. While the original recipe is tasty, the apricot barbecue is outstanding and one of our top choices for pork. Its thick consistency is perfect for both dipping and generously applying to chops before grilling. It can also be reapplied easily without creating a mess in the pan or on the grill. This winning combination of flavor and texture propelled Traeger sauce to the top of our list.

Methodology

To determine the best options on Amazon, we focused on the most popular sauces that had received over 1,000 positive reviews and refined our selection from there. While many sauces had loyal fans for specific flavors, a few stood out with consistent acclaim. We opted for some of the most favored flavors or chose to stick with classic recipes. We evaluated barbecue sauces across a range of price points, initially treating them as dipping sauces before considering their use in broader barbecue-style cooking.

In ranking the sauces, we took into account texture, ingredients, price, and, of course, taste. We tested all the leading contenders with chicken nuggets to better understand each flavor profile. The nuggets provided an excellent base for assessing flavor and the sauce's thickness. Plus, our kids were eager to help, as they love chicken nuggets—typically paired with barbecue sauce—and were ready to share their honest opinions on each sauce.