Sauce's

[RIX]

I'm sure this has been disucssed a few hundred times but my search did not cover exactly what I was looking for. Is there a mass produced bbq suace (KC masterpiece, Kraft, Famous Dave's... etc) that is really any good? I see a lot of hype for some small makers of sauces, but not much about the kind of suace that you could find at a Rainbow foods, or Cub foods store. Any thoughts?

 

[Papa Tom]

Tough question RIX because taste is so subjective. One of the favorites is Cattlemans, often it is also tweaked to make it a little sweeter or spicier so give it a try.
My favorite is Gates but unfortunately it doesn't get wide distribution.

 

[Bigmista]

I hear Sweet Baby Ray's is good.

 

[thillin]

I'm happy with Head Country. Prefer the Head Country Hot, but family really likes the original. Mrs. Thillin really like Sweet Baby Rays also, but I have to thin it out for me. Not sure of their distrobution, but I can find it multiple places here in N. TX.

 

[fmitchell]

I like Sweet Baby Ray's original. I also like to use Cattleman's original as a base, then I add whatever I'm in the mood for...usually a good whiskey and something hot!

Frank

 

[beerguy]

My "go to" sauce has been Sweet Baby Rays for years (original) but last year i noticed my BBQ had a special acceptance from friends and family when I lightly used Cattlemans. Good Chit! But so are the smaller brands. I really like to try sauces from members here, but so far have only hit a few. Like Papa Tom said, taste, regions of the country, its all subjective, so if you find one more people comment on, I'd stick to that.
(Gotta plug Spicewine, his Blue Collar and Fire Good are the the cat's arse.)

 

[KC_Bobby]

Tough question RIX because taste is so subjective. One of the favorites is Cattlemans, often it is also tweaked to make it a little sweeter or spicier so give it a try.
My favorite is Gates but unfortunately it doesn't get wide distribution.

Papa, what do you use to tweak your cattleman's to make it sweeter/spicier? I've added cider vinegar and worchestester sauce to get a twang before and I like that - but interested to hear your tweak.

BTW, Gates is also one of my favorite sauces. I'd love to use it for comps, but I think it's taste is too obvious.

 

[Mooner]

If I have to use a mass produced sauce it's Head Country. But as always luckily I live in Kansas City where I can get excellent sauces that aren't found anywhere else in the country...

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

To date I've decided that Cattlemen's is the best mass-made sauce out there.

 

[Bottles 'n Bones BBQ]

Cattlemans original and add SBR's until it hits your spot. like the Head Country, but it's hit or miss on availability around here.

I'll grab KC Masterpiece in a pinch, but for whatever reason it doesn't taste as good as it used to. I quit smokin' so that might have something to do with it...

 

[Meat Burner]

I like Sweet Baby Ray's original. I also like to use Cattleman's original as a base, then I add whatever I'm in the mood for...usually a good whiskey and something hot!

Frank

Frank, where does't the whiskey go? ohhh, beside in Frank?:lol:

 

[AlabamaGrillBillies]

Cattleman's, Sweet Baby Rays, all good. Blues Hog Tenn. Red for mail order.

 

[JW]

Used Sweet Baby Rays' for the first time this weekend, really was good, mild sweet taste and good flavor on the meat. Bought a couple of bottles, after using 1/2 of one to baste with I took some hot pepper extract (about 375,000 Scoville rating)and mixed in just enough to give it a good kick and mild burn. Really went over good for those wanting some heat. Every one 'round here uses Cattlemans so the Sweet Baby Rays' was a welcomed change.

 

[Kevin]

Famous Dave's Texas Pit is not bad at all.

 

[tumpedover]

Gotta go with Thillinig on this one ....IF...and it's a big IF..I go with a mass poroduced sauce it's gonna be head country....I have doctored Cattlemans original and liked it as well.

 

[bowhnter]

I like Stubbs, but I have not tried Head Country or Cattlemans..sounds like i need to.

 

[Papa Tom]

Papa, what do you use to tweak your cattleman's to make it sweeter/spicier? I've added cider vinegar and worchestester sauce to get a twang before and I like that - but interested to hear your tweak.

BTW, Gates is also one of my favorite sauces. I'd love to use it for comps, but I think it's taste is too obvious.

Cattlemans out of the bottle is kind of a generic Texas style sauce, simple and that makes it easy to tweak.
Sweeter add Brown sugar and maybe some molasses and orange zest and Cayenne. (KC style)
Spicier add toasted cumin and chipotle powder (or ancho chili powder) (Texas style)
For more Southeastern style (pork) add vinegar and brown sugar and cayenne.

When I was doing concessions I kept experimenting to see what people liked by making different styles and giving them a catchy name and getting feedback.
Red Hot and Runny was a spicy-sweet pulled pork type sauce.
Big Thick and Sticky was a KC style molasses sauce.
Papa's Special was a typical store bought sauce but different every event.
And Yur Horse (radish) was a tomato based beef sauce with horseradish.
There were many other but what I learned was that peoples tastes varied so much that there wasn't a clear favorite however Red Hot and Runny and Papa's Special usually got used the most and I credit that to the names.

 

[outside ed]

I also like to use Sweet Baby Ray's but I add honey, brown sugar and cumin to it and I have had wonderful comments on it. IMHO. Ed.

 

[KC_Bobby]

I've never heard of Head Country ... where does one get that?

 

[Jaberwabee]

I've never heard of Head Country ... where does one get that?

It's made in Ponca City OK, so anywhere around OK, or Kansas I know has it. Their rub is really good too.