BBQ sauces have many delicious uses. They can be used to marinate meat and vegetables or play the important roles of dips and dressings to ensure flavourful and well-balanced summer meals. In our opinion, no barbecue party is complete without at least one marinade, dip, or dressing!
Discover the art of making BBQ sauces with a myriad of tasty ingredients, creating distinct, tantalizing flavours to go with your favourite foods. We give you the ultimate guide to sauces used for meat, vegetables, and much more, so keep reading to learn more about delicious homemade marinades, dips, and dressings for summer barbecues.
Essential ingredients – herbs, spices, and much more
There are so many different types of BBQ sauces. Our favourites are sweet, hot, acidic, fresh, herbal, and smoked. Not all at once. But we do like some variations to choose from, and these all have characteristic, sweet or savoury ingredients to infuse them with their signature flavours. Explore essential BBQ sauce ingredients from sweet and herbal to spicy and smoky, and get cooking with your new favourite marinade, dip, or dressing.
Hot BBQ sauces
To add a bit of heat to the menu, go for a hot BBQ sauce. Use different types of spicy chilli peppers like cayenne, jalapeno, and habanero. Chilli in all its different forms, fresh, dried, or powdered, has various notes and aromas, creating different flavourful results depending on which variety you use.
Cayenne pepper has a potent, straightforward heat. It is often used in powdered form for even distribution in the sauce. Chipotle peppers, which are smoked jalapenos, provide a smoky, subtly sweet heat that is rich and complex.
A more unique source of heat is habanero peppers, known for their fiery intensity. While habaneros can bring quite a bit of heat, they also provide a fruity, citrusy undertone that can complement the other flavours in hot BBQ sauces.
Another way to make a hot BBQ sauce is with pre-made hot sauce. For instance, tabasco provides a vinegary punch and heat, while Sriracha brings a garlicky, sweet heat.
Sweet BBQ sauces
Sometimes, sweet and savoury go so well together. The perfect example: sweet BBQ sauces. They often get their sweetness from different types of sugar like brown sugar with its deep, caramel-like sweetness, and white sugar to add sweetness without the molasses flavour of brown sugar.
The one that provides the most depth is molasses itself. It adds a rich, sweet, slightly bitter flavour to BBQ sauces and gives the sauce a darker colour. Honey is also delicious in sweet BBQ sauces, adding a floral sweetness that pairs particularly well with chicken and pork.
You can also try maple syrup which has a sweet yet slightly smoky flavour, adding a distinct sweetness to any sauce. It complements many grilled, smoked meats and vegetables well.
Finally, some recipes might even include a bit of fruit preserves or jam for added sweetness. These also add some fruity undertones to any sweet BBQ sauce. They can be especially nice with certain types of meat – for instance, apricot or mango jam with chicken and cherry preserves with pork.
Vinegar-based BBQ sauces
Vinegar-based BBQ sauces are not to be missed. They are known for their flavour and ability to enhance the flavours of grilled or smoked meats, contributing tangy notes that cut through the richness of the meat and add a pleasant contrast.
If you are cooking tougher cuts of meat like ribs, pork shoulder, or brisket, the acid in vinegar-based BBQ sauces can help break down the protein fibres, making it more tender and delicious.
You can use, for example, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and red or white wine vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar has a relatively mild flavour with a subtle hint of apple, which complements many types of meat, particularly pork and chicken. It is often used in traditional Carolina-style BBQ sauces, which are known for their tangy, vinegar-forward flavour.
Balsamic vinegar, on the other hand, is sweeter and has a more complex flavour profile. It adds a depth of flavour and pairs particularly well with red meats like beef or lamb. It can also help create a nice, caramelised crust on the meat when grilled, making it a popular choice for glazing.
Red and white wine vinegar generally have a sharper, more pronounced acidity. They add a nice, prominent tanginess to marinades and work well with a variety of meats. They are often used in Mediterranean-style marinades.
Fresh and herbal BBQ sauces
Fresh and herbal BBQ sauces can bring a vibrant, garden-like quality to the palate. Their refreshing and complex flavours work beautifully as marinades, dips, or dressings, offering a burst of flavour and a nice contrast to the smoky, rich flavours typically associated with barbecued foods. They work particularly well with chicken, fish, and grilled vegetables, but their versatility can lend a refreshing twist to any BBQ dish.
They often rely on a variety of fresh or dried herbs like parsley, coriander, dill, basil, and rosemary, each providing a distinctive flavour profile. Parsley brings a fresh, slightly peppery taste, while coriander contributes a citrusy, somewhat savoury flavour. Dill offers a grassy and subtly sweet tang, basil gives a sweet, peppery, and slightly minty flavour, and rosemary imparts a pine-like, woodsy flavour.
Garlic is also common, offering a robust, pungent flavour that complements the freshness of the herbs. Similarly, green onions or chives can add a slight bite and more green notes. To create a tangy balance with the fresh or dried herbs and to help meld the flavours, some kind of acid is typically added, for example, lemon or lime juice, or a variety of vinegar like white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Smoked BBQ sauces
Smoked BBQ sauces are celebrated for their deep, complex flavours that invoke the essence of a slow-cooked, fireside barbecue. Their robust character makes them excellent as marinades, dips, and dressings, especially for meats like pork and beef, enhancing their natural flavours and adding that irresistible, smoky barbeque character many associates with summer.
These sauces often get their smokiness from smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chipotle. Smoked paprika provides a sweet, smoky flavour as well as a lovely depth to any dish. Cayenne pepper, a type of dried and ground chilli pepper, while known for its heat, can also contribute a subtle smokiness to BBQ sauces as well as a subtle, spicy kick.
Chipotle, however, is arguably the star when it comes to adding smoky flavour. Chipotle peppers are jalapenos that have been smoked and dried, imbuing them with a distinct, smoky heat. They create a complex, rich flavour profile with a subtle sweetness mixed with smokiness.
Delicious ways to use marinades, dips, and dressings for a barbecue
The many types of BBQ sauces can be used in different ways to imbue your summer meals with great flavour. Marinades for vegetables and meat are slathered onto the food in question before cooking and left to sit and infuse the flavours for an amount of time depending on the food you are marinating.
You can also use BBQ sauces, like marinades, as glazes or finishing sauces during the cooking process or just before serving. As a glaze, brush the sauce onto meat, poultry, or seafood while they cook, creating a beautifully caramelised exterior and intensifying the flavours. As a finishing sauce, drizzle or baste it on just before serving, adding a final touch of flavour and moisture.
Dips and dressings are also delicious for barbecuing and summer foods. Creamier ones are delicious with chips, vegetables, bread, or cracker as they are easy to dip and scoop up. Dressings are perfect for salads, and both dips and dressings work well as spreads in burgers, sandwiches, and wraps, tying the different flavours together and adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
You can also use marinades, dips, and dressings to enhance the flavours of various side dishes. For example, mix a spoonful of your favourite BBQ sauce into a coleslaw or potato salad to add a smoky and savoury element. This infusion of flavours can transform ordinary side dishes into BBQ-inspired delights.
Tips for marinating meat with your homemade BBQ sauces
Before you start marinating, clean the meat and trim any excess fat. This will help the marinade penetrate and flavour the meat better. The meat should be fully covered by the marinade to distribute its flavours evenly. A common rule of thumb is to about 120ml of marinade for every half kilo of meat.
Marinades work best when given time to absorb into the meat. For most meats, we suggest marinating for at least 2 hours. However, for larger cuts or tougher meats like beef, marinating overnight in the fridge can make the meat more tender and flavourful. Be cautious with very acidic marinades, though, as they can toughen the meat if left for too long. Fish also only needs to marinate for 15 minutes to an hour depending on the type of fish.
Before you start cooking, let the fridge-cold meat come to room temperature (this should take about 20 minutes). This helps to ensure even cooking. In the last few minutes of barbecuing, brush a little extra BBQ sauce onto your meats. This will create a delicious, caramelised glaze.
Pairing meat with the right marinade
Since there are so many types of marinades to choose from, sweet, tangy, spicy, smoky, or a combination of these, it is important to match the marinade to the type of meat you are marinating.
For instance, sweeter and tangier sauces tend to pair better with mild-flavoured pork, while tangy, spicy, or smoky sauces are better for beef, which is more robust in flavour. Chicken has a relatively neutral flavour that makes it well-suited to different BBQ sauces, while lighter, citrusy sauces will complement the delicate flavours of fish the best. Finally, lamb has a distinctive, somewhat gamey flavour. BBQ sauces with a good amount of acidity can help balance out that gaminess. Consider a tangy, slightly sweet sauce.
Try our 6 best BBQ sauces
Now that you know a lot more about BBQ sauce differences, how different ones can be used, and the best way to marinate meat with homemade ones, the time has come to tell you about the very best sauces for barbecues. Our list of BBQ sauces below includes tasty marinades, dips, and dressings, meaning you can savour more the next time you decide to fire up the barbecue and get cooking in your backyard. And, if you need more inspiration for the menu, check out our best BBQ menu ideas and top summer BBQ recipes.
BBQ marinade
A BBQ marinade made with Greek yoghurt and flavoured with fresh coriander, aromatic garlic, and spicy chilli is great for marinating meat. The yoghurt base can act as a tenderiser with its acidity helping to break down the protein structures in the meat, which makes it more tender and allows the flavours of the marinade to penetrate it more deeply.
Chipotle marinade
Among smoky BBQ sauces, chipotle marinade has risen to the top in recent years – and it is equally delicious as a dip or dressing. Chipotles are flavour-packed smoked jalapenos known for their signature smoky and spicy flavour. Together with rich and tangy red wine vinegar, sweet brown sugar, smoky paprika, herby thyme, and salty soy sauce, it serves to create a marinade that is well-balanced and full of smoky BBQ flavour. It is great for marinating different meats as well as grilled vegetables like sweet corn when you want to spice things up.
Chilli dip
Any list of top BBQ sauces must include a great one with big, bold flavours, so you should try our spicy, intense, chilli dip. It is flavoured with fresh green chilli pepper, pickled ginger, lime juice, and sriracha sauce, making it fresh and spicy. The pickled ginger has a tangy, slightly sweet flavour that is more mellow than fresh ginger but still helps this dip pack a punch. Its Asian flavours and acidity make it especially well-suited to grilled chicken and fish.
Jalapeno dip
If you enjoy a bit of heat, our jalapeno dip is sure to be a win in your book. This creamy dip is packing a lot of flavour from pickled jalapenos, fresh coriander, lime zest, and sour cream. The sour cream base ensures a rich texture with a great mouthfeel while the others supply boldness. Use it with crunchy appetizers and snacks like chips and crackers, as a spread, or as a dipping sauce.
Tahini dressing
Tahini dressing is a Middle Eastern-inspired BBQ sauce flavoured with roasted sesame paste. This tahini paste brings a wonderful depth of flavour with nutty and earthy undertones and freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten it. Pour the creamy dressing over fresh and crunchy salads for a nice textural contrast or try it as a dipping sauce for fresh or grilled vegetables or meats as well as with bread and in BBQ wraps, sandwiches, and burgers.
Tzatziki
Last, but not least, classic tzatziki. Most often used as dip or dressing, this popular, Greek delight is beloved for its refreshing and thirst-quenching nature. Made with velvety crème fraiche and shredded cucumber, it has a creamy texture with a bit of crunch, owing to the vegetables. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, it tastes light and fresh. Serve it with crusty bread, grilled vegetables, or meat skewers. It tastes especially great with pork and chicken.
