Buzz
Barbecue pizza showcases just how versatile pizza can be. While tomato sauce is the traditional base, BBQ sauce offers a rich and smoky alternative that is especially enticing. The difficulty lies in the fact that BBQ sauces differ greatly in both flavor and texture, potentially even more than tomato sauces. To find the ideal BBQ sauce for pizza, I picked up eight well-known brands from my local store and set to work testing them on pies.
The Contestants
I chose my contestants by browsing Reddit, checking what was available at my local supermarket, and considering what might be found in various regions across the US. This list includes major brands as well as some smaller names. The brands I selected are: Sweet Baby Ray’s, Stubb’s, Sticky Fingers, Rib Rack, Kraft, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue, and A1. While A1 is technically not a BBQ sauce (it’s labeled just “sauce”), I consider it a BBQ sauce, so it made the cut. I’ll spoil the surprise now—it wasn’t the worst.
What defines a good BBQ pizza sauce?
Every brand here has its “original” version, along with anywhere from three to eight distinct variations—sweet and smoky, hickory with brown sugar, Carolina gold, and more. It’s a bit much when navigating the condiment aisle at my ShopRite. I decided to keep it simple and only test the “original” flavor from each brand.
BBQ sauce for grilling is not the same as BBQ sauce for pizza. With this in mind, I couldn’t just sample the sauce from the bottle and give you a straightforward flavor review. I took into account the sauce’s flavor and consistency when spread on the pizza, as well as how it tasted after baking. I made two types of pizza: a simple one with just mozzarella and sauce, and another topped with cheese, grilled chicken, and red onions (the classic BBQ pizza toppings). I expected the results to be similar across both pizzas, but the toppings really changed how the sauces came through.
Now, let’s dive into how these sauces performed overall, as well as their standout qualities.
Sweet Baby Ray’s
Top-ranked BBQ sauce
I was pleasantly surprised by Sweet Baby Ray’s. It has a sweetness that’s not overpowering, followed by a smoky undertone, and finishes with a subtle bitterness—nothing off-putting. This is the BBQ sauce you’ll want for that quintessential BBQ pizza flavor. It enhances other tastes while standing strong on its own.
This is the only sauce that worked equally well on both a plain cheese pizza and one loaded with toppings. It’s versatile enough to complement other ingredients without taking over the flavor. Sweet Baby Ray’s has a thick texture, so it stays put. You can control how much sauce you use, whether you prefer a lighter or thicker layer.
Kraft
Top BBQ sauce for pizzas with toppings
Kraft surprised me when used on pizza, and I’m not disappointed. On its own, the sauce has a smoky flavor first, followed by sweetness, and finishes with a peppery zing that I thought might overpower the pizza. Surprisingly, it didn’t.
Kraft had the classic BBQ sauce taste on a cheese pizza, but it really stood out when paired with toppings. If you plan to load up your pizza with meats and veggies, Kraft might be the right choice. Both Kraft and Sweet Baby Ray’s are thick in consistency and contain high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient, but Kraft was nearly $1.50 cheaper at my store.
Rib Rack
Top BBQ sauce for a classic cheese pizza
Rib Rack begins with a rich molasses sweetness and a caramel-like earthiness, balanced by a sharp tang. When paired with a simple mozzarella topping, the sauce really shines, enhancing the creaminess of the cheese without needing anything else. However, when used with toppings, I felt it lost some of its complexity, leaving only the sweetness. This sauce is ideal for those who enjoy a plain pizza and prefer to keep it simple with no extra toppings.
Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce
Top BBQ sauce for bold savory flavors
Out of all the sauces I tested, this Bachan’s has earned a permanent spot in my fridge. While it’s not your typical American-style BBQ sauce (in flavor or texture), it’s fantastic. Most BBQ sauces lead with sweetness and acidity, but not this one. Bachan’s brings a delightful mix of garlicky, savory, salty, and sweet notes.
The only reason this sauce didn’t take the top spot for me is due to its consistency. With soy sauce as its first ingredient, it’s quite watery, making it tricky to use on pizza dough. The thinness makes it hard to get a thick layer of sauce, and while the flavor is incredible, it doesn’t create much of a coating. That said, it’s perfect as a dipping sauce for the crust. I’d recommend it to anyone who prefers savory flavors over the typical sweet BBQ sauce.
Stubb’s
Best BBQ sauce with a tomato-forward flavor
Stubb’s delivers a tangy, tomato-based sauce with a peppery finish that pairs wonderfully with a simple cheese pizza. However, when topped with chicken and onions, the sauce lost its distinctiveness and became a bit bland. With a medium consistency, Stubb’s allows you to apply a decent layer without weighing down the crust—just be cautious not to overdo it. This sauce is perfect for anyone who craves a blend of marinara and BBQ sauce on their pizza.
Sticky Fingers
Best sweet BBQ sauce
I shouldn’t have been taken aback by the sweetness in a sauce named "Sticky Fingers Carolina Sweet." Right from the start, this sauce is overwhelmingly sweet, with a subtle hint of acidity lingering behind. For my taste, it was too sugary. However, when topped with ingredients, the sweetness was somewhat toned down, making it more balanced. This sauce is perfect for those who love a sweet barbecue sauce over something more intricate.
A1 Sauce
Best BBQ sauce if you don’t like sweet
A1 sauce is a unique condiment, versatile enough to pair with anything from burgers to stews or even pizza. When I first put A1 on my pizza crust, I wasn't sure what to expect, but surprisingly, I didn’t dislike it. While I wasn’t fond of it on a plain pizza, adding toppings made it more enjoyable. A1 is a thin sauce with a strong vinegar base that initially makes you question your choice, but its earthy, peppery, and floral notes offer a more complex flavor profile as you adjust to it.
One thing A1 definitely isn’t is sweet. If you find traditional barbecue sauces too sugary, try adding a light (and I mean light) layer of A1 on your pizza for a different experience.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Best BBQ sauce for someone out there
I was honestly caught off guard by this one. Having dined at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que restaurants before, I expected this sauce to be a great pizza choice. Unfortunately, this BBQ sauce turned out to be rather bland. It’s tomato-based, with just a hint of acidity but no real sharpness to it. There's a subtle sweetness, but no spice to speak of. While it was fine on a plain cheese pizza, it nearly vanished when topped with anything else. Maybe someone with a milder palate, or a child experiencing barbecue pizza for the first time, would appreciate it more. Surely, there's a person out there who might find it just right.
