Skip to content 
Are you ready to add some zing to your grilling? Dive into our collection of the Top 10 Southern BBQ Sauce Recipes and discover the secrets to award-winning flavors! These sauces are more than just condiments; they’re the heart and soul of any barbecue dish. From tangy and sweet to spicy and smoky, our handpicked recipes bring you the very best of Southern BBQ traditions. Whether you’re a BBQ enthusiast or just love experimenting in the kitchen, these sauces are perfect for transforming simple meats into culinary masterpieces. So, grab your apron, and let’s start cooking up some mouth-watering BBQ magic that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
When it comes to Southern BBQ, the sauce makes all the difference. Dive into the world of mouthwatering flavors with these 10 award-winning BBQ sauce recipes that have delighted grill masters and food enthusiasts alike.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Our journey through Southern BBQ sauces begins with the quintessential Homemade BBQ Sauce. This sauce is the backbone of many Southern barbecue traditions, renowned for its balance of smokiness, sweetness, and tang. Creating a homemade BBQ sauce allows you to tailor it to your preferences, whether you prefer a spicy kick or a sweeter note. A classic homemade BBQ sauce typically includes ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and an array of spices. You can adjust the ingredients and ratios to craft a sauce that suits your taste perfectly.
How To Make:
Creating your own Homemade BBQ Sauce is a rewarding process. Start by gathering your ingredients, which typically include ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar (apple cider or white), Worcestershire sauce, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a saucepan, combine these ingredients and simmer over low heat. Stir frequently to ensure the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld. This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your desired thickness and intensity. Once done, let the sauce cool before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage. Homemade BBQ Sauce allows for customization, so feel free to experiment with additional spices, hot sauce, or even a dash of bourbon for a unique twist.
Alabama White Sauce
Alabama White Sauce is a true Southern gem, hailing from the state famous for its barbecue traditions. Unlike the typical tomato-based sauces, this unique creation is mayonnaise-based with a delightful tang from vinegar and a hint of pepper. It’s a versatile sauce, perfect for smothering grilled chicken or turkey. The creamy texture and zesty flavor make it an excellent addition to any BBQ spread, and it’s a testament to the culinary diversity found in Southern cuisine.
How To Make:
Alabama White Sauce is known for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. To make it, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. The sauce is best when refrigerated for a few hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to meld. When using Alabama White Sauce, you can brush it onto chicken or turkey during the last stages of grilling or use it as a dipping sauce. Its simplicity in preparation makes it a quick and easy addition to your BBQ arsenal.
Kansas City BBQ
Venturing further into the heart of barbecue country, we encounter Kansas City BBQ sauce. This sauce is a symphony of flavors, characterized by its sweet and smoky profile. Brown sugar, molasses, and tomato form the base of this sauce, with added spices like paprika, garlic, and onion for depth. Kansas City BBQ sauce is the go-to choice for those succulent ribs and tender briskets. It’s a crowd-pleaser and showcases the sweet side of Southern BBQ.
How To Make:
Kansas City BBQ sauce is a delightful combination of sweet and smoky. To create it, mix ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a medley of spices in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The key is to let the sauce simmer and thicken, allowing the flavors to intensify. Once it reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Kansas City BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile, and you can adjust the sweetness or spiciness to suit your preferences.
Carolina BBQ
Carolina BBQ sauce is a testament to regional diversity within the Southern barbecue landscape. The Carolinas boast not one but two iconic styles: Eastern and Western. Eastern-style Carolina BBQ sauce is vinegar-based with a fiery kick from red pepper flakes, while Western-style features mustard for a unique tang. Both styles beautifully complement pulled pork, and their distinctiveness adds character to any BBQ event. You’ll find locals fiercely loyal to their preferred Carolina BBQ sauce, each with its passionate fan base.
How To Make:
Carolina BBQ sauce offers two regional variations: Eastern and Western.
For Eastern-style sauce, combine vinegar, water, sugar, red pepper flakes, and a touch of hot sauce. Let this mixture simmer for a while to allow the flavors to meld. This sauce is known for its tanginess and heat.
For Western-style sauce, the key ingredient is mustard, along with vinegar, sugar, and spices. The mustard gives it a unique yellow hue and a slightly tangy, zesty flavor.
Both variations are delightful, and you can adjust the heat and sweetness to your liking. These Carolina sauces pair exceptionally well with pulled pork.
Texas BBQ
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the flavor of their BBQ sauce. Texas BBQ sauce is bold, spicy, and perfectly suited for the Lone Star State’s obsession with beef brisket. It’s a sauce that doesn’t hold back, often featuring ingredients like chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. The rich, smoky flavor profile is a testament to the Texan love affair with open-flame cooking and their frontier heritage. When you’re in Texas, expect BBQ sauce with a punch!
How To Make:
Texas BBQ sauce is bold and spicy. Begin by sautéing onions and garlic in oil until they become translucent. Then add ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and other spices. Let the mixture simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Texas BBQ sauce is perfect for beef brisket and packs a punch with its smoky and spicy profile.
Korean BBQ Sauce
Take a detour from traditional Southern BBQ and explore the captivating world of Korean BBQ sauce. This sauce is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, with ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. It’s perfect for marinating and grilling various meats, creating a fusion of flavors that will transport your taste buds to Seoul. Korean BBQ sauce adds an international flair to your BBQ repertoire, showcasing the global appeal of barbecue cuisine.
How To Make:
Korean BBQ sauce is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory. To make it, combine soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and green onions in a saucepan. Simmer the mixture until it thickens, and the flavors infuse. Korean BBQ sauce is often used as a marinade for meats like beef bulgogi or chicken. Its balance of sweet and savory makes it a standout in global BBQ cuisine.
Memphis Barbecue
Memphis BBQ is all about the dry rubs and slow-cooked pork. While it’s famous for its dry-rubbed ribs, Memphis BBQ sauce options include both wet and dry versions. The dry rub consists of a flavorful blend of spices, herbs, and brown sugar that forms a crust on the meat as it cooks, creating a mouthwatering bark. Memphis wet sauce, on the other hand, is typically tomato-based with a touch of vinegar and spices. This dual approach allows for a unique and unforgettable BBQ experience in the heart of Tennessee.
How To Make:
In Memphis, the focus is on dry rubs, but they also offer wet sauce options. For a typical dry rub, combine ingredients like paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Massage this mixture generously onto your meat and let it sit for several hours or overnight. The dry rub forms a flavorful crust as the meat cooks, creating a delightful contrast to the tender interior.
For wet sauce options, you can use a tomato-based sauce with a touch of vinegar and spices. Simmer it to perfection, ensuring the flavors meld and the sauce thickens.
BBQ Rubs
Mastering the art of BBQ rubs is essential for any barbecue enthusiast. While sauces add flavor on the surface, rubs penetrate deep into the meat, infusing it with a harmonious blend of spices and herbs. Creating the perfect rub is a balance of flavors and textures. A typical rub includes ingredients like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. Experimentation is key, as different meats benefit from different rub compositions. Whether you’re preparing ribs, chicken, or brisket, a well-crafted rub can take your BBQ to the next level.
How To Make:
Creating a BBQ rub involves selecting the right combination of spices and herbs to enhance the flavor of your meat. Start with a base of paprika for color, then add ingredients like brown sugar for sweetness, garlic and onion powder for depth, and spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder for heat. The key to a great rub is balance; you want the flavors to complement the meat without overpowering it. Experiment with different rub recipes until you find the perfect blend for your BBQ creations.
Smoked BBQ
One of the quintessential elements of Southern BBQ is the smoky flavor that infuses the meat. Achieving this signature smokiness requires patience and the right equipment, such as a smoker. Smoking meat is a slow and deliberate process that allows the flavors from wood chips, like hickory or mesquite, to permeate the meat, resulting in tender, smoky perfection. Different woods impart distinct flavors, adding depth to your BBQ creations. The choice of wood and smoking technique can vary widely, giving each dish a unique character.
How To Make:
Smoking meat is an art that requires patience. Begin by selecting the type of wood chips you want to use. Common choices include hickory, mesquite, applewood, and cherry wood, each imparting its unique flavor. Preheat your smoker to the desired temperature, usually low and slow, and add soaked wood chips to create smoke. Place the meat in the smoker and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. Smoking times vary depending on the type of meat and size, but it can take hours or even an entire day. The slow smoking process allows the meat to absorb the smoky flavors, resulting in tender, mouthwatering BBQ.
Sides and More
While BBQ sauce and the meat take center stage, no Southern BBQ experience is complete without a variety of mouthwatering side dishes. From coleslaw and potato salad to baked beans and cornbread, these sides complement the richness of the BBQ. Coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the smoky meat, while baked beans offer a sweet and savory balance. The array of sides ensures a well-rounded BBQ feast that caters to every palate.
How To Make:
Complementing your BBQ with sides is essential for a well-rounded feast. Here are some tips for popular BBQ sides:
- Coleslaw: A classic coleslaw is a refreshing side that balances the richness of BBQ. To make it, shred cabbage and carrots, then toss with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and spices.
- Baked Beans: Create a sweet and savory baked beans dish by combining beans, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and bacon. Bake until the beans are tender and the flavors meld.
- Cornbread: Whip up a batch of cornbread, a Southern staple, to enjoy with your BBQ. It’s a simple mixture of cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and buttermilk.
- Potato Salad: Prepare a flavorful potato salad with boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, onions, and a sprinkle of paprika for color.
These sides complement the smoky and savory flavors of BBQ, adding depth and variety to your meal.
