Choosing the Best BBQ Sauce for Grilling

What Makes a Great BBQ Sauce?

Not all BBQ sauces are created equal. The best BBQ sauces balance sweet, smoky, tangy, and spicy elements to complement—not compete with—your grilled meats. With grilling season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to rethink what’s on your shelf.

When evaluating a BBQ sauce, consider these factors:

  • Ingredients: Look for real, high-quality ingredients.
  • Flavor Balance: Great sauces blend smoke, sweet, acid, and heat.
  • Versatility: Can it be used as a glaze, marinade, and dipping sauce?
  • Origin: Sauces from trusted sources—like butcher shops—often deliver superior quality.

Why Butcher-Made Sauces Stand Out

Butchers know flavor. That’s why sauces made by shops like Gartner’s Meats stand apart. Built from decades of meat expertise, these sauces are tailored to match the natural richness of meat cuts without overwhelming them.

Classic BBQ

A go-to sauce for just about everything. Use it on ribs, chicken, pulled pork, or as a burger topping.

Easy Classic BBQ Chicken Recipe:

  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Gartner’s Classic BBQ Sauce
  • Optional: Marinate chicken in 1/4 cup of the sauce for 1–2 hours before cooking
  • Grill or bake chicken thighs at 375°F for 35–40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, brush generously with remaining Classic BBQ Sauce. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
  • Perfect Pairing: Serve with roasted corn on the cob and a tangy coleslaw to balance the smoky richness of the sauce.

Honey Habanero

This sweet-heat combo is perfect for spicing up grilled wings, sausage, or pork loin.

Easy Honey Habanero Pork Skewers:

  • 1 lb pork loin, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Gartner’s Honey Habanero Sauce
  • Toss pork cubes in spices and half the sauce. Skewer and grill over medium heat, turning and basting with remaining sauce until cooked through.
  • Perfect Pairing: Pair with cilantro lime rice and grilled pineapple slices to complement the sweet heat of the sauce.

Whiskey Grilling Sauce

Adds smoky depth and a touch of complexity. Try it on tri-tip, grilled mushrooms, or steak.

Easy Whiskey Grilled Tri-Tip:

  • 1 tri-tip roast (2–3 lbs)
  • Salt, pepper, olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Gartner’s Whiskey Grilling Sauce
  • Rub tri-tip with oil, salt, and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes per side. Rest 10 minutes, then slice and serve with warmed Whiskey Grilling Sauce.
  • Perfect Pairing: Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus to highlight the sauce’s savory depth.

 

Each bottle is made with care in small batches—offering your customers something they can’t get from national brands.

Help Your Customers Grill Better

If you run a butcher shop, offering a quality BBQ sauce is a simple, effective way to increase average order value and help customers get the most out of their meat. Plus, it positions your shop as a go-to destination for everything BBQ—cuts, condiments, and culinary advice.

Create easy add-on bundles, upsell with seasonal displays, or include sauces in grilling gift packs.