Delicious, Tangy, Sweet BBQ Recipes

Delicious, Tangy, Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipes

BBQ sauce recipes vary greatly from one region to another. This makes it such a versatile addition to almost any recipes, especially in the summer!

With National BBQ Day coming up, it would be fun to look at the different types of bbq sauces. They vary greatly between regions of the United States. I love BBQ sauce; it’s one of my favorite sauces to dip meat in. But the sauce, as well as the style, varies significantly from country to country and from one area of the country to another.

Originally Published On: May 15, 2018

Last Updated On: September 17, 2020

BBQ Styles

Some of the most notable styles within the US are based primarily on the traditions of the state or region they are from. I’ve learned that I am not a big fan of Texas BBQ because it contains a lot of smoke flavor of which I am not a fan. I like either the Memphis style or Florida style since they are sweeter and don’t have the added meat/smoke flavor.

The following descriptions are from the Wikipedia page about BBQ Sauce:

East Carolina Sauce

Most American barbecue sauces can trace their roots to two sauces common in North Carolina and South Carolina. The simplest and the earliest were supposedly popularized by African slaves. They also advanced the development of American barbecue. They were made with vinegar, ground black pepper, and hot chili pepper flakes. It is used as a “mopping” sauce to baste the meat while it was cooking and as a dipping sauce when it is served. Thin and sharp, it penetrates the meat and cuts the fats in the mouth. There is little or no sugar in this sauce. Which, in turn, has a noticeably more sour flavor than most other barbecue sauces.

Lexington Dip (a.k.a. Western Carolina Dip or Piedmont Dip)

In Lexington and the “Piedmont” hilly areas of western North Carolina, the sauce is often called a dip. It is a lot like the East Carolina Sauce (above) with tomato paste, tomato sauce, or ketchup added.

Kansas City

Thick, reddish-brown, tomato or ketchup-based with sugars, vinegar, and spices. Evolved from the Lexington Dip (above), it is significantly different. It is thick and sweet and does not penetrate the meat as much as sit on the surface. This is the most common and popular sauce in the US. All other tomato-based sauces are variations on the theme using more or less of the main ingredients.

Memphis

Similar to the Kansas City style. Typically having the same ingredients but tending to have a larger percentage of vinegar and use molasses as a sweetener.

Florida

Similar to the Memphis style because it has a higher percentage of vinegar than Kansas City style. Florida style is characterized by tropical fruit flavors such as orange, mango, guava, papaya, pineapple, and tamarind as well as peppers with some heat such as chipotle and habanero. Because of its fruity flavor, it is commonly served with pork, beef, chicken, and seafood.

South Carolina Mustard Sauce

Part of South Carolina is known for its yellow barbecue sauces made primarily of yellow mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices. This sauce is most common in a belt from Columbia to Charleston, an area settled by many Germans. Vinegar-based sauces with black pepper are common in the coastal plains region as in North Carolina. Thin tomato- and vinegar-based sauces are common in the hilly regions as in North Carolina.

Texas

In some of the older, more traditional restaurants the sauces are heavily seasoned with cumin, chili peppers, bell peppers, chili powder or ancho powder, lots of black pepper, fresh onion, only a touch of tomato, little or no sugar. They often contain meat drippings and smoke flavor because meats are dipped into them. Texas sauces are medium thick and often resemble a thin tomato soup. They penetrate the meat easily rather than sit on top. Bottled barbecue sauces from Texas are often different from those used in restaurants because they do not contain meat drippings.

Alabama White Sauce

North Alabama is known for its distinctive white sauce, a mayonnaise-based sauce, which is used predominantly on chicken and pork. It is composed of eggs and oil (or mayonnaise), apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Barbecue Ranch

A fusion of barbecue sauce and ranch sauce.

Delicious, Tangy, Sweet BBQ Recipes

BBQ Sauce Recipes from Son Shine Kitchen

Shredded bbq chicken with melted cheese on a hamburger bun with coleslaw on a white plate with a brown towel behind all on a wooden surface
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Combine BBQ sauce with Italian dressing for a delicious sauce with shredded chicken on a bun with melted cheese for perfect slow cooker sandwiches.
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BBQ chicken and black bean taco fillings on a corn tortilla on a round white plate on a grey placemat next to a nonstick skillet with taco fillings all on a wooden surface
BBQ Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
Combine the delicious flavors of Texas bbq with southwestern cuisine to get a perfect meal that the whole family is sure to love!
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Pineapple shrimp stir-fry over a bed of rice garnished with green onion on a brown plate on a wooden surface with a towel and fork to the left side
Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry
Combine the sweet flavors of pineapple with a tangy bbq sauce to make Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry in one pan for a delicious dinner.
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BBQ ranch chicken on a white plate with cornbread
BBQ Ranch Chicken
BBQ Ranch Chicken is a quick, delicious dinner that uses only 3 ingredients you'll find in most kitchens. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
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BBQ Chicken Melt on a white plate with BBQ chips in a small bowl
BBQ Chicken Melt
Busy weeknights need quick and easy meals that everyone will enjoy. Make BBQ Chicken Melts in 30 minutes with only 5 simple ingredients.
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Orange chicken on a white plate with brown rice and chopsticks
Orange Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Make orange chicken in your slow cooker using only four basic ingredients for a quick and easy weeknight dinner the family will all enjoy.
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BBQ burger on a white plate next to coleslaw on a wooden background
Justin’s Famous BBQ Burgers
A regular hamburger is great, but add some BBQ flavor and you have an amazing burger! This is better than you can get at a restaurant!
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Hawaiian chicken wraps filled with bbq chicken, pineapple chunks, and lettuce in a flour tortilla over a bed of lettuce on a square white plate with a bamboo platter behind with round white bowls of cheese, lettuce, and pineapple all on a wooden surface
Hawaiian Chicken Wraps
Light and easy meals are perfect for the hot days of summer. Combine bbq with fresh pineapple for a delicious wrap everyone will enjoy!
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Delicious, Tangy, Sweet BBQ Recipes

Delicious BBQ Sauce Recipes from Friends of Son Shine Kitchen

I’ve gathered a few recipes from other food bloggers from around the web (with their permission, of course) to share with you as well. There are so many different ways to make delicious BBQ recipes, so I wanted to give a variety of options.

Appetizers

BBQ Bacon French Onion Dip
BBQ Bacon French Onion Dip
Easy homemade french onion dip with a twist. This BBQ Bacon French Onion Dip will be a great appetizer for your next cookout or potluck.
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BBQ Pretzel Football Cheese Ball
BBQ Pretzel Football Cheese Ball
This BBQ Pretzel Football Cheese Ball makes an easy football appetizer or game dip for a football party or tailgate. Perfect for the Super Bowl.
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BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza has smoky BBQ sauce, tender pulled pork, melty cheese, red onions then topped with bacon jam. The perfect mostly homemade pizza.
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Lunch/Dinner

How to Make Baby Back RIbs in the Oven | A Simple Palate
How to Make Baby Back RIbs in the Oven | A Simple Palate
Amazing baby back ribs in the oven – Smokey paprika rub, sweet bbq sauce, and take 2 1/2 hours to bake. Easily the best rib recipe!
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Honey BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
Honey BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
These Slow Cooker Chicken Wings are cooked in a tasty Honey BBQ sauce until fall off the bone tender. Quickly broiled until golden then served smothered in more sauce! These crock pot chicken wings are always a crowd pleaser!
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One Pan BBQ Pulled Pork and Rice Skillet Supper
One Pan BBQ Pulled Pork and Rice Skillet Supper
One pan BBQ pulled pork and rice skillet dinner is full of flavor and texture. It will have everyone coming back for a little more and leave you with very few dishes too!
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Side Dishes

Smoky Skillet BBQ Baked Beans
Homemade Smoky Skillet BBQ Baked Beans! These beans are sweet, smoky, sticky food for the soul and they are surprisingly easy to make!
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Oven Roasted Barbecue Potato Wedges
Oven Roasted Barbecue Potato Wedges
Big, bold barbecue flavors make these oven roasted barbecue potato wedges an incredibly delicious side to any meal. They are seasoned perfectly with a crispy exterior and soft, almost buttery insides! Like your favorite BBQ potato chips, they are hard to resist once you get started!
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Southern-Style Bourbon Meatballs Recipe
Southern-Style Bourbon Meatballs Recipe
These delicious boozy Southern-Style Bourbon Meatballs are going to be the hit of your next gathering; be ready for people to immediately run over to the meatballs on the buffet table and beg for this retro Southern recipe.
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BBQ Rubs

Make Your Own Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub | Delicious Table
Make Your Own Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub | Delicious Table
Learn how to make Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub, use this preservative-free, easy, and inexpensive BBQ rub on chicken, beef, pork, or corn on the cob!
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Homemade BBQ Spice Rub
Homemade BBQ Spice Rub
A simple and delicious, sweet and smoky, homemade BBQ spice rub that can be used on anything from grilled chicken to smoked brisket or ribs.
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Low Carb Barbecue Dry Rub Seasoning
Low Carb Barbecue Dry Rub Seasoning
Low Carb Barbecue Dry Rub Seasoning. Great for ribs, chicken or steak! | Peace Love and Low Carb
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Vegan Options

Roasted Plantain + BBQ Chickpea Vegan Bowl | Orchids + Sweet Tea
Roasted Plantain + BBQ Chickpea Vegan Bowl | Orchids + Sweet Tea
This Roasted Plantain + BBQ Chickpea Vegan Bowl recipe is the ultimate dinner idea that comes packed with a sweet + spicy side of chickpeas, fresh spinach, baked sweet potatoes, snow peas, and a twist of oven roasted sweet plantains. Pure perfection in one dish.
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Barbecue Cauliflower Pitas with Avocado Ranch Slaw
Barbecue Cauliflower Pitas with Avocado Ranch Slaw
Pita loaves are stuffed with crunchy avocado ranch dressed slaw and barbecue smothered cauliflower in these scrumptious barbecue cauliflower sandwiches.
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Tofu Burgers With Pineapple BBQ Sauce
Tofu Burgers With Pineapple BBQ Sauce
These tofu burgers are spiced with an irresistibly sweet and spicy BBQ Pineapple sauce and are a tasty option for non-beef eaters and spice-lovers alike! These burgers also happen to be totally gluten free and vegan.
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20 thoughts on “Delicious, Tangy, Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipes”

  1. Yummmmmmm! I’m literally going to try making all of these sauces because I tend to get bored with the same old sauce all the time. The weather is warming up so I’ll have lots of time to taste test 😀

  2. Oh yum! I love a good bbq sauce, perfect timing for grilling season too! I’ll have to try a few of these.

  3. You might find this crazy but I have never had REAL BBQ sauce before because I cannot eat sugar and back when I could, I was a total KETCHUP GIRL over anything else!!!! 😮 I have tried some sugar-free versions but I feel like that’s just NOT the same!

  4. Christina Holthuis

    Yummy! I love the way, you have listed all of these sauces. Would definitely try these in future…. These sauces makes me starving, 😉 Thanks for sharing such a detailed article with proper references.

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