I ranked 4 store-bought barbecue sauces. My favorite was also the least expensive.
I ranked four different store-bought barbecue sauces from worst to best.
They all paired well with chicken nuggets, though some were thicker and more flavorful than others.
I liked the barbecue sauces from Sweet Baby Ray's the most, including the no-sugar-added variety.
Barbecue season is here, so I made it my mission to find out which brand delivers the tastiest barbecue sauce straight from the bottle.
I tried store-bought barbecue sauces from three different brands to determine which offered the smokiest, tangiest flavor for the best value. I also tried one brand's no-sugar-added version to see if it could measure up to the original.
While barbecue isn't typically my go-to sauce for all things dipping — proud ranch fan, here — I tried each of the sauces on their own and with chicken nuggets to see which sauce was my favorite.
Here's how I'd rank four store-bought barbecue sauces, from worst to best.
My least favorite barbecue sauce was Kraft's slow-simmered original barbecue sauce.
The sauce is made with ingredients like tomato, molasses, and hickory smoke.
It cost $4.19 for an 18-ounce bottle at my local Key Food supermarket in Brooklyn, New York.
The sauce wasn't as thick as the other brands I tried.
The sauce was light and tangy, but it didn't have a strong enough flavor for me.
Compared to the other brands, I thought this barbecue sauce was lacking. I typically go for a thick, smoky barbecue sauce, and this was much lighter. I think I would struggle to fully coat chicken or ribs in this more viscous sauce, though I did enjoy the flavor.
It was tangy and slightly sweet, with a honey-like flavor, but reminded me more of a sweet-and-sour sauce than a true barbecue sauce.
I also tried KC Masterpiece's American Original barbecue sauce.
The sauce is made from molasses, onions, and spices to deliver an authentic Kansas City-style barbecue sauce.
Aside from any store discounts, this barbecue sauce was the cheapest I tried. An 18-ounce bottle cost $2.89 at my local Key Food supermarket in Brooklyn, New York.
KC Masterpiece's was the thickest sauce I tried.
I thought this sauce was a good balance of smoky and sweet.
The sauce had a robust, smoky flavor and a consistency that easily clung to the chicken nugget, making for a balanced bite that overtook my tastebuds.
It was really sweet, very much tasting of molasses. However, I was missing that slight tangy flavor that would have really taken this sauce over the edge and provided a more dynamic flavor profile.
Up next was the Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce with no added sugar.
Before this taste test, I was already familiar with Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce.
The brand has been cited as the top-selling barbecue sauce in the US, so this sauce had a lot to live up to, especially since it had no added sugar, which I worried would weaken the flavor.
An 18.5-ounce bottle cost $4.89 at my local Key Food, making it the most expensive sauce I tried.
The sauce had a balanced consistency. It wasn't too thick or too watery.
I was really impressed by the flavor. It was sweet without being overpowering.
Overall, this sauce nailed it for me. It was tangy but not sickly sweet, and it had a balanced consistency in terms of texture. I definitely got the smoky flavor without the overpowering molasses flavor I tasted in the KC Masterpiece barbecue sauce.
It was also the lowest-calorie sauce of the ones I tried, with 15 calories per serving.
However, when it came down to price, it was beaten out by the original version.
My favorite barbecue sauce was Sweet Baby Ray's original barbecue sauce.
It perhaps comes as no surprise that this sauce was my favorite. After all, the brand has won awards at various barbecue competitions for its sauce.
An 18-ounce bottle cost $2 at my local Key Food after a markdown of $1.89, making it the least expensive barbecue sauce I tried.
The sauce had a rich, red color and a similar consistency to the no-sugar-added version.
It was just a touch less thick than the other sauce from Sweet Baby Ray's, but it still managed to coat the chicken nugget easily. In my opinion, this was the best sauce for dipping.
Sweet Baby Ray's original barbecue sauce struck the perfect balance for me.
The sauce had a slightly acidic, tart flavor that balanced out the sweet notes and an undercurrent of earthy flavor that made me feel like I was at a backyard barbecue.
Next time I'm firing up the grill for some barbecue ribs or just need a dipping sauce for my nuggets or chicken tenders, I know exactly which barbecue sauce I'm grabbing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I ranked 4 store-bought barbecue sauces. My favorite was also the least expensive.
I ranked four different store-bought barbecue sauces from worst to best. They all paired well with chicken nuggets, though some were thicker and more flavorful than others. I liked the barbecue sauces from Sweet Baby Ray's the most, including the no-sugar-added variety. Barbecue season is here, so I made it my mission to find out which brand delivers the tastiest barbecue sauce straight from the bottle. I tried store-bought barbecue sauces from three different brands to determine which offered the smokiest, tangiest flavor for the best value. I also tried one brand's no-sugar-added version to see if it could measure up to the original. While barbecue isn't typically my go-to sauce for all things dipping — proud ranch fan, here — I tried each of the sauces on their own and with chicken nuggets to see which sauce was my favorite. Here's how I'd rank four store-bought barbecue sauces, from worst to best. My least favorite barbecue sauce was Kraft's slow-simmered original barbecue sauce. The sauce is made with ingredients like tomato, molasses, and hickory smoke. It cost $4.19 for an 18-ounce bottle at my local Key Food supermarket in Brooklyn, New York. The sauce wasn't as thick as the other brands I tried. The sauce was light and tangy, but it didn't have a strong enough flavor for me. Compared to the other brands, I thought this barbecue sauce was lacking. I typically go for a thick, smoky barbecue sauce, and this was much lighter. I think I would struggle to fully coat chicken or ribs in this more viscous sauce, though I did enjoy the flavor. It was tangy and slightly sweet, with a honey-like flavor, but reminded me more of a sweet-and-sour sauce than a true barbecue sauce. I also tried KC Masterpiece's American Original barbecue sauce. The sauce is made from molasses, onions, and spices to deliver an authentic Kansas City-style barbecue sauce. Aside from any store discounts, this barbecue sauce was the cheapest I tried. An 18-ounce bottle cost $2.89 at my local Key Food supermarket in Brooklyn, New York. KC Masterpiece's was the thickest sauce I tried. I thought this sauce was a good balance of smoky and sweet. The sauce had a robust, smoky flavor and a consistency that easily clung to the chicken nugget, making for a balanced bite that overtook my tastebuds. It was really sweet, very much tasting of molasses. However, I was missing that slight tangy flavor that would have really taken this sauce over the edge and provided a more dynamic flavor profile. Up next was the Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce with no added sugar. Before this taste test, I was already familiar with Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce. The brand has been cited as the top-selling barbecue sauce in the US, so this sauce had a lot to live up to, especially since it had no added sugar, which I worried would weaken the flavor. An 18.5-ounce bottle cost $4.89 at my local Key Food, making it the most expensive sauce I tried. The sauce had a balanced consistency. It wasn't too thick or too watery. I was really impressed by the flavor. It was sweet without being overpowering. Overall, this sauce nailed it for me. It was tangy but not sickly sweet, and it had a balanced consistency in terms of texture. I definitely got the smoky flavor without the overpowering molasses flavor I tasted in the KC Masterpiece barbecue sauce. It was also the lowest-calorie sauce of the ones I tried, with 15 calories per serving. However, when it came down to price, it was beaten out by the original version. My favorite barbecue sauce was Sweet Baby Ray's original barbecue sauce. It perhaps comes as no surprise that this sauce was my favorite. After all, the brand has won awards at various barbecue competitions for its sauce. An 18-ounce bottle cost $2 at my local Key Food after a markdown of $1.89, making it the least expensive barbecue sauce I tried. The sauce had a rich, red color and a similar consistency to the no-sugar-added version. It was just a touch less thick than the other sauce from Sweet Baby Ray's, but it still managed to coat the chicken nugget easily. In my opinion, this was the best sauce for dipping. Sweet Baby Ray's original barbecue sauce struck the perfect balance for me. The sauce had a slightly acidic, tart flavor that balanced out the sweet notes and an undercurrent of earthy flavor that made me feel like I was at a backyard barbecue. Next time I'm firing up the grill for some barbecue ribs or just need a dipping sauce for my nuggets or chicken tenders, I know exactly which barbecue sauce I'm grabbing.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
French fries with tartar sauce? America's strangest sauce pairings
French fries with tartar sauce, scrambled eggs and barbecue sauce and pickles with buffalo sauce were found to be some of the weirdest combinations Americans love to eat. The study of 2,000 Americans divided respondents by how much they love a good sauce and how dedicated they are to making it a part of as many meals as possible. Respondents shared their other creations like Worcestershire sauce on macaroni, pita bread with honey mustard and ranch dressing in ramen noodles. Of those who enjoy eating sauce with their food regularly - even with their culinary concoctions - 79% said they're proud sauce lovers. Conducted by Talker Research for Sweet Baby Ray's, the survey found that their love for sauce shows that two-thirds of respondents shared that they've chosen a meal specifically based on what sauce they were craving (67%). According to those surveyed, sauce always belongs on french fries (73%), chicken nuggets (67%) and hot dogs (61%). For chicken wings, barbecue sauce (27%) and honey barbecue (20%) are some of the most popular. Chicken wings (59%), cheeseburgers (55%) and tacos (53%) ranked high on what respondents simply won't eat without sauce. Some foods are seen as just a vehicle to eat sauce, like french fries (68%), chicken nuggets (66%) and chicken wings (60%). Americans take their sauce so seriously that eight in 10 even agree that sauce has the power to make or break a meal (78%). Barbecue sauce is among America's top favorite sauces, with 729 respondents ranking it in their top five. When voting on their favorite sauces for different foods, barbecue sauce (30%) was found to be a must for chicken nuggets, followed by ranch (30%) and honey mustard (25%). Ketchup is easily the crowd favorite for french fries (81%), while marinara is the clear winner for mozzarella sticks (47%) - although others enjoy them with ranch (23%) or ketchup (10%). While a third of respondents agree that chicken wings belong with ranch as the best sauce (32%), 27% enjoy them with barbecue sauce as the best sauce. "Whether it's BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or ketchup, to name a few, Americans love sauce," said Dan Gollinger, brand manager at Sweet Baby Ray's. "According to the recent survey, 78% of people say sauce can make or break a meal. We understand this mindset and are shining a light on it." Currently, the average person surveyed has eight different kinds of sauce in their fridge. The survey also looked at personality differences between those who call themselves "sauce people" (61%) and those who don't. "Sauce people" are more likely to be Type A (28% vs. 22%), while those who prefer their food sauceless are more likely to be Type B (52% vs. 48%). Despite their meticulous personality type, one in five sauce lovers consider themselves to be impulsive, and are likelier to be more adventurous (73% vs. 47%). Those who eat more sauce also tend to be more likely to smile (32% vs. 28%) and laugh (23% vs. 16%) more than 10 times a day. More "sauce people" are also likelier to say they are generally "very happy" (35% vs. 28%), although non-sauce lovers tend to be likelier to have at least 25 "good days" in an average month (35% vs. 29%). The stars may also dictate your preferences, as water signs swept for the most likely to say that they're "sauce people," while Leos (10%) and Virgos (10%) are more averse to sauces on their food. "People are building entire meals around their favorite sauce. Ultimately, sauce deserves more credit," said Gollinger. "A sweet, tangy BBQ sauce can add depth to grilled meats, while a bold hot sauce can completely wake up a sandwich or salad. We like to say people should 'think sauce first.'" FOODS AMERICANS USUALLY ADD SAUCE TO French fries - 73%Chicken nuggets - 67%Hot dogs - 61%Chicken wings - 59%Cheeseburgers - 55%Tacos - 53%Nachos - 50%Deli sandwiches - 36%Pizza - 31%Vegetables - 29% Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Sweet Baby Ray's and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 15 and May 19, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post French fries with tartar sauce? America's strangest sauce pairings appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Qajakkut Society set to return to Canadian Canoe Museum
Original publication date: May 5, 2025 The Qajakkut Society is excited to return to working with the Canadian Canoe Museum this fall as part of its Builders in Residence Program. The museum, located in Peterborough, Ont., is bringing canoe and kayak building to life through its new program. Four expert builders from across Canada will take part in the program, each spending time at the museum to build traditional watercraft while sharing their knowledge through live demonstrations, workshops, and stories. The program gives visitors a rare chance to see a canoe or kayak being built in real time and to meet the people who carry on these important traditions. Members of the society are happy to be working with the museum again and say there'll be a lot of fun during their participation in October. They will build two south Baffin-style qajaq (kayak) frames, a unique design from their home region of southern Baffin Island that isn't widely known outside the North. While many people are familiar with Greenlandic-style kayaks, the south Baffin version is rarely seen, but they're still being made and used today, according to Aasivak Arnaquq-Baril, current president of the society. 'It's good for Canadians or anyone visiting the museum to see that these aren't just historical artifacts,' he said. 'They're embodiments of entire communities.' The Qajakkut Society is a non-profit organization based in Iqaluit. It was founded in 2016 by two passionate builders who wanted to create a space where people could learn about and revive traditional Inuit qajaq building. The group has four core members and about 20 members spread across the territory who are former students or friends of the society. They've been working closely with Elders and youth across Nunavut, running hands-on workshops that pass knowledge from one generation to the next. While some Elders still hold deep knowledge of these skills, much of it was at risk of being lost. This tradition is part of who they are as Inuit, and building these qajaq frames is a way to keep that alive, Arnaquq-Baril says. 'We're just bringing it back, breathing life into it again,' he said. This won't be the first time the society and the museum have teamed up. They worked together on a previous project to build a qajaq frame that's now on display in the new museum building. This time, the society will build inside the museum's state-of-the-art woodshop and lead paddling lessons with the finished qajaq, which will join the museum's on-water program fleet. There may be less need for the qajaq today as many people have access to faster and more efficient ways to travel on water. But it's important to keep something they see as a key part of Inuit culture, Arnaquq-Baril said. 'We choose to hold on to something we see as important to Inuit as a distinct culture, a real, living, breathing nation that still exists,' he said. The society offers two main types of workshops that help keep traditional qajaq-building skills alive. In these workshops, participants can learn how to build their own vessel from start to finish or study and recreate old frames found in the community. They usually have four to six Inuit students in each session. Through these efforts, the society helps connect people to their culture, bring generations together, and keep important traditions alive. The society's work also has personal meaning for Arnaquq-Baril. 'It's great to work with my friends and my family,' he said. The Canadian Canoe Museum reopened its doors beside Little Lake in May 2024. The Builders in Residence Program builds on its commitment to offering hands-on experiences while supporting builders from all backgrounds, including those working to preserve Indigenous knowledge and traditional skills. To reach even more people, the museum will also share short videos online that follow each builder's journey and show how they bring their craft to life. For more information about the program, visit: Or follow on social media: @cndncanoemuseum Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
