Best BBQ Sauces for Cooking and More in 2025

Whether you're cooking in it or just slathering your food in it, a good BBQ sauce can turn a boring meal into something fabulous. Conversely, a bad one can ruin everything. The best barbecue sauce enhances your prime cuts with acidity, smoke and a blend of flavors, and then there are tangy, sweet and spicy options on offer as well. Whether you're looking for sauce from a smaller independent company or a big-brand alternative, I've done the taste testing so you don't have to. I gathered 15 bottles of sauces, each packed with bold flavors and also invited a bunch of my sauce-loving friends to join in on the fun. Together, we've narrowed down our absolute favorites and I think you're going to love them. What makes a good barbecue sauce? Most pitmasters agree that achieving balance is essential for a great barbecue sauce. Typically, these sauces are made with a tomato base, vinegar, and a sweetener like honey or molasses, along with a component for heat. From this foundation, sauces can ... Read full article.