My friend Rockin Robyn is always telling me to make my own this and make my own that. From stocks, to sauces I’m always hearing it from Betty Rocker”. Well If I had the culinary skill and passion she did, I probably would. I say all of this because Robyn has on more than one occasion popped into my head when I make a homemade bbq sauce. Nothin’ fancy, just some ketchup molasses, maybe some garlic, mustard, spices, brown sugar, a little W sauce, then heat her up and cook her down. Boom, your run of the mill Q-sauce.
However I’m not a run of the mill guy. That’s why I like to find small batch bbq sauces and try them in different applications. And I was shocked to find out how many amazing bbq sauces are made and distributed right here in New Jersey! I mean, it’s not like we’re in the deep south, mid west, or Texas! Nope, the home of Pork Roll has some great sauces rolling out of it!
Now, when it comes to bbq sauce, there are three styles I like in particular. First is the classic vinegar based clear sauce from North Carolina. However I’m also a big fan of the Carolina Gold, mustard based sauce that is popular in South Carolina. While still another favorite of mine is a good thin Memphis style bbq sauce. Something that works well on ribs as well as pulled chicken or pork.
Be that as it may, I have no problem with Kansas City style sauce, which is the thick dark sugary sauce you find most in the supermarket. It’s fun, and classic, and goes with just about anything. Meanwhile, here in New Jersey, fine folks are making all kinds of bbq sauces. Just check it out!
Billy B's BBQ Sauce
Dirty Jerz BBQ Sauce
Dogwood Farms Hot n' Bothered Honey BBQ Sauce
Alstede Farms BBQ Sauce
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of Holy Ground at Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
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Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Coca-Cola – Pigs and Pints presented by InsideHook hosted by Robert Irvine
ShareNEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Chef Shane McBride poses with his Pig Beach World Champion BBQ Sauce during Pigs and Pints presented by InsideHook hosted by Robert Irvine at The Biergarten at The Standard on October 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
The Grand Tasting At Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit
ShareLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 10: Chef Mike Minor drizzles barbecue sauce on mini burnt ends bowls at the BBQ Mexicana booth at the 13th annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit Grand Tasting event presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at Caesars Palace on May 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit)
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ShareDES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 12: Berkshire Bacon Balls -- a quarter-pound pork meatball, stuffed with cheese and bacon, wrapped with 2 pieces of bacon, smoked and dipped in BBQ sauce -- is served on a stick at the Iowa State Fair August 12, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. With over a million visitors a year, the Iowa State Fair was first held in 1854. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Woodbridge Wine ‘Cue Sauce Block Party
ShareNEW YORK, NY - MAY 14: The Ultimate Woodbridge BBQ Shrimp is seen at the Woodbridge Wine 'Cue Sauce Block Party on May 14, 2015 at Butter in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi)
City Of Charlotte Prepares To Host 2012 Democratic Convention
ShareCHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 12: Matt Spoon prepares food for customers at Bill Spoon's Barbecue on July 12, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearly fifty-year-old restaurant, founded by Matt's grandfather, is known for its Eastern North Carolina Style BBQ served with homemade vinegar based BBQ sauce, mustard based coleslaw, and made-from-scratch hushpuppies. The restaurant was recently recognized as one of the ten best BBQ restaurants in the United States. Businesses in Charlotte are anticipating a boost in sales when an estimated 35,000 visitors arrive in the city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) September 3-6. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
City Of Charlotte Prepares To Host 2012 Democratic Convention
ShareCHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 12: Quartered pigs are smoked at Bill Spoon's Barbecue on July 12, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearly fifty-year-old restaurant, founded by Steve's grandfather, is known for its Eastern North Carolina Style BBQ served with homemade vinegar based BBQ sauce, mustard based coleslaw, and made-from-scratch hushpuppies. The restaurant was recently recognized as one of the ten best BBQ restaurants in the United States. Businesses in Charlotte are anticipating a boost in sales when an estimated 35,000 visitors arrive in the city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) September 3-6. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
City Of Charlotte Prepares To Host 2012 Democratic Convention
ShareCHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 12: Steve Spoon chops pork after it was removed from a smoker at Bill Spoon's Barbecue on July 12, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearly fifty-year-old restaurant, founded by Steve's grandfather, is known for its Eastern North Carolina Style BBQ served with homemade vinegar based BBQ sauce, mustard based coleslaw, and made-from-scratch hushpuppies. The restaurant was recently recognized as one of the ten best BBQ restaurants in the United States. Businesses in Charlotte are anticipating a boost in sales when an estimated 35,000 visitors arrive in the city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) September 3-6. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
City Of Charlotte Prepares To Host 2012 Democratic Convention
ShareCHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 12: Workers pull pork from the bones of a quartered pig after it was removed from a smoker at Bill Spoon's Barbecue on July 12, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearly fifty-year-old restaurant ran by the grandson of its founder, is known for its Eastern North Carolina Style BBQ served with homemade vinegar based BBQ sauce, mustard based coleslaw, and made-from-scratch hushpuppies. The restaurant was recently recognized as one of the ten best BBQ restaurants in the United States. Businesses in Charlotte are anticipating a boost in sales when an estimated 35,000 visitors arrive in the city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) September 3-6. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
City Of Charlotte Prepares To Host 2012 Democratic Convention
ShareCHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 12: Steve Spoon (L) and Reggie Stuckey remove pork from a smoker at Bill Spoon's Barbecue on July 12, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearly fifty-year-old restaurant, founded by Steve's grandfather, is known for its Eastern North Carolina Style BBQ served with homemade vinegar based BBQ sauce, mustard based coleslaw, and made-from-scratch hushpuppies. The restaurant was recently recognized as one of the ten best BBQ restaurants in the United States. Businesses in Charlotte are anticipating a boost in sales when an estimated 35,000 visitors arrive in the city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) September 3-6. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Coca-Cola – Coca-Cola Backyard BBQ hosted by Bobby Flay and Michael Symon presented by Thrillist sponsored by National Beef & Pat LaFrieda Meats
ShareNEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: A view of Arrogant Swine's Carolina Whole Hog BBQ on display at the Coca-Cola Backyard BBQ hosted by Bobby Flay and Michael Symon presented by Thrillist sponsored by National Beef & Pat LaFrieda Meats during the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Coca-Cola at Pier 92 on October 16, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Dario Cecchini and Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 16: A view of Baekjeong Korean BBQ at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One - Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Dario Cecchini and Andrew Zimmern on October 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of Hill Country Barbecue Market at Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of Holy Ground at Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of the tasting during Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of Hill Country Barbecue Market at Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A view of the tasting during Backyard BBQ presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and National Beef hosted by Andrew Zimmern during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at Pier 86 on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One – Titans of BBQ presented by National Beef and Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Dario Cecchini, Pat LaFrieda and Michael Symon
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