Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a thick, glossy, reddish-brown condiment with a smoky-sweet aroma. It tastes sweet, tangy, and savory, often with notes of tomato, molasses, and spice; it clings well for glazing and basting. Common uses include brushing on grilled meats, tossing pulled pork, or serving as a dip; sold in original, hickory, honey, mustard, or spicy styles.

In the United States it took shape across Southern barbecue traditions, branching into tomato-molasses Kansas City styles, vinegar-forward Carolina versions, mustard-based South Carolina sauces, and peppery Texas variants. Commercial sauces are cooked, blended, and pasteurized for shelf stability, while homemade versions vary widely in ingredients and thickness.