BBQ sauce.

[efhmc]

No sweetener in BBQ sauce. This is a result of a person on line lauding a sauce laded not only with honey but maple syrup and calling it BBQ sauce. Ick and yuck. Help me out here Texas.

[flying_wahini]

1. I know, people put all kinds of stuff in it. Besides any sugar chars the meat too quick.

Besides that, IMO rubs are best for flavoring.

[efhmc]

2. Thanks for the reply. At least he did not call it TX bbq sauce. He is from NJ.

[Lonestarblue]

3. No added sugar or sweetener in my BBQ sauce.

Aaron Franklin (Austin) is famous for his barbecued brisket (and it is excellent). Here’s the recipe for his BBQ sauce, which is pretty good but I would leave out most or all of the brown sugar even though it’s a small amount. Ketchup is already sweet so I don’t think sugar is needed unless the vinegar is overpowering.

Aaron Franklin’s Classic Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups ketchup
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 tablespoons plus 11/2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 11/2 teaspoons
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse black pepper

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and warm gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. There is no need to bring the mixture to a boil, as the idea is just to warm it enough to melt and integrate the ingredients. Once you have done that, remove from the heat and let cool. Transfer to a jar, bottle, squeeze bottle, or however you want to store it. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

[efhmc]

5. I have vague memories of adding some sweetener with the sauce for chicken but NEVER for beef.

When cooking steak my dad put some garlic slices into the meat and that was it. The thought was that good meat (steak) did not need anything else.
He never did brisket on the grill. Not sure we ever had it until we moved to the Dallas area from east Texas. Big city stuff you know.

[cloudbase]

4. Sauce might be good for dipping your bread.

It also hides mistakes.

[SARose]

6. Brisket yes sauce NO

Texas brisket is cooked with a rub that creates a salty, peppery crust on the outside. A beautiful smoke ring on the inside means tasty brisket. No sauce. Never. That is sacrilegious.

A mop sauce of beer, butter and garlic is used on well seasoned chicken after the skin is nice and crispy.

Pork ribs are also prized for the rub.

Bbq sauce with no sweetner please is for sausage, hamburgers and hot dogs.

That’s how my family does it, anyway. 🌹

We serve our bbq with pinto beans seasoned with chili powder, cumin, onion and bell pepper. We make mustard potato salad and 24 hour coleslaw made with vinegar.

Now I’m hungry!

[SarahD]

7. I like the sweet and smokey stuff.

I have tasted so many sauces that taste like nothing but vinegar. No sauce at all is an option for me.

[efhmc]

8. When I get a bbq sandwich I say no sauce because I have no faith in its not being sweet.

Live in central Texas but am often repulsed at what people think is BBQ.