The quest for the ultimate BBQ experience is a savory journey through America’s regional specialties. Texas, with its legendary slow-smoked brisket and succulent ribs, stakes a bold claim to the title of the nation’s top BBQ. Meanwhile, Memphis-style BBQ, with its mouthwatering pulled pork and ribs, offers a formidable challenge with its rich tradition. Not to be overlooked, Hawaiian BBQ brings a distinctive taste to the table, infusing Polynesian and Asian influences into classics like the smoky kalua pork.
While the method of barbecuing meat contributes significantly to the dish’s outcome, the role of BBQ sauce in defining flavor cannot be overstated. Recognizing this, Smoked BBQ Source, a trusted resource for barbecue guides, recipes, and product reviews, set out to conduct an extensive survey among 3,000 BBQ enthusiasts. Their mission? To identify once and for all the most celebrated BBQ style sauce across the country. The results were as diverse as the barbecue styles themselves, with the top ten ranging from Arizona’s fiery concoctions to the innovative zest of Florida’s citrus-infused varieties.
West Virginians’ top 10 were as follows:
#1 Arizona Style Sauce
Topping the charts is the Arizona Style Sauce – it’s the John Wayne of BBQ sauces, bold and smoky, with a chili pepper lasso that wrangles any wild meat into submission. It’s got more kick than a mule with a cactus thorn in its side.
#2. Alabama White Sauce
Struttin’ in at second, Alabama White Sauce is celebrated for its distinctive mayonnaise base, setting it apart with its unique color and creamy texture. Its tangy profile, laced with just the right amount of bite, makes it an exceptional choice for both chicken and pork, offering a refreshing twist on traditional BBQ flavors.
#3. Georgia BBQ Sauce
Ranking third, Georgia BBQ Sauce strikes a delightful balance between sweet and tangy, primarily featuring a ketchup or tomato foundation. Occasionally, this sauce is enhanced with peaches, offering a nod to Georgia’s famed produce, and providing a subtly sweet, fruity undertone that elevates it from the ordinary.
#4. Florida BBQ Sauce
Florida BBQ Sauce, with its signature citrusy notes, claims the fourth position. It ingeniously incorporates orange or lemon juice, introducing a distinct tanginess that brightens the overall flavor profile, making it a perfect complement to a wide range of barbecued foods.
#5. California Style Sauce
At fifth place, California Style Sauce is known for its emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients, often drawing inspiration from Asian or Mexican culinary traditions. This approach results in a versatile sauce that adds an innovative and flavorful twist to any barbecue.
#6. Arkansas Style Sauce
The sixth-ranked Arkansas Style Sauce features a tangy, vinegar and tomato base with a spicy kick. Its thinner consistency makes it an ideal choice for marinating or as a dipping sauce, offering a piquant flavor that enhances the meat’s natural taste.
#7. Texas-Style BBQ Sauce
The seventh slot goes to Texas-Style BBQ Sauce, which is recognized for its thinner, tomato-based composition. It skillfully balances sweet, spicy, and tangy elements, with certain variations leaning towards a beefier focus and a touch of heat, reflecting the state’s preference for brisket.
#8. Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce
Claiming the eighth spot, Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce is a crowd-pleaser with its thick consistency and a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. This sauce has become synonymous with American barbecue, beloved for its versatility and rich taste.
#9. Hawaii BBQ Sauce (Huli Huli Sauce)
Ranking ninth, the Hawaii BBQ Sauce, or Huli Huli Sauce, offers a teriyaki-style experience that’s both sweet and tangy. Made with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger, it’s particularly favored for grilling chicken, bringing a touch of tropical flair to the table.
#10. Memphis-Style BBQ Sauce
Rounding up the top 10, Memphis-Style BBQ Sauce is noted for its thinner consistency and tangy flavor, leaning more towards tanginess than sweetness. While Memphis BBQ is traditionally more focused on the rub, this sauce provides a balanced blend that complements the smoky meats perfectly.
