Sweet, lip-smackin’, tasty, finger-lickin’ good, gluten-free BBQ sauces… 5 all-stars to try!

Gluten-free BBQ sauce is one of the easiest items in your pantry to ‘share’ with your gluten-free and gluten-eating friends and family.  With so many lip-smackin’ flavors available today in the gluten-free pantry, take a ‘safe’ bottle with you to your next BBQ gathering and slab some on your friends burgers/ribs/(insert your favorite grilled item here).  They’ll likely become a gluten-free BBQ sauce believer, too, once they’ve given it a try! 

Gayle’s Sweet ‘n Sassy BBQ sauces were my first go-to sauce after I made my gluten-free lifestyle change in 2010.  They are local to Beverly Hills, CA, and easily found at the Whole Foods Market at 3rd/Fairfax.  After indulging in Gayle’s BBQ sauce, I knew I was onto something good!  Gayle’s BBQ sauce delivers six delicious flavors:  Original, Extra Sassy, Honey Sweet, Apple Cider Smoke, Chipotle, and Deli Brand (not pictured),  I absolutely love the ‘original’ flavor, and enjoy the other sweet sauces.  I’m not a smoky-flavored sauce type of gal, however they provide something for every taste bud!  Check out Gayle’s story from actress to BBQ sauce creator here.

Bone Suckin’ sauce is seriously delicious.  This North Carolina sauce is sweetened with honey and molasses for the ultimate sweet taste.  Bone Suckin’ Sauce is gluten-free, non-GMO, paleo friendly, and vegan.  It’s found in many Whole Foods Markets, as well as BBQ supply stores, Cracker Barrel Gift Shops, and of course online.  While you’re ordering, pick up their Yaki (gluten-free Teriyaki) Sauce… a little harder to find but so worth the effort!  Read about their beginnings here.

Stubb’s BBQ sauces are found in most grocery stores around the States.  All seven flavors are gluten-free, and proudly tout NO MSG and NO High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Thanks, Stubb’s, for the variety you offer: Original, Sticky Sweet, Spicy, Sweet Heat, Hickory Bourbon, Smokey Mesquite, and Honey Pecan.  “Love and happiness” bottled up from this mess sergeant’s days in the U.S. Army (late 1960s), to artists singing for their supper in the 80s, and a little boost later from Late Night with David Letterman, all added to C.B. Stubblefield’s (aka “Stubb”) successful story.

Curley’s Famous BBQ Sauces offer four flavors:  Mesquite, Smoky, Hot & Spicy, and Hickory.  All are gluten-free, kosher, and NO High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Garden Complements is home to Curley’s Famous BBQ Sauces and are “available for both retail and foodservice outlets.”  “Simply stated, Garden Complements is Kansas City’s contract packing and private label food processing expert.”  I’ve been to Kansas several times, yet unsure I’ve tried it.  I’ve listed it here as I’ve read it’s excellent reviews.

Bill’s Best BBQ Sauce uses local, organic ingredients right in Glenside, PA.  Their sweet and tangy sauce is gluten-free and soy free, and comes in Original and Spicy flavors.  Developed in the late 90s by William Charles Fehon, “Bill” created his BBQ recipe for family and friends, and the “mild kick appealed to everyone”.  Now with Frontotemporal Degeneration, Bill’s family sells his sauce and donates a portion of the profit to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.  This brand was recommended to me, so my taste-test is to come.  Again, lots of great reviews online to suggest it for consideration.

I found a recent blog (June 2016) on gluten-free BBQ sauces to share with you from Very Well, containing some excellent updated information on the sauce world.

Brian’s blog (2008) contains his input on labels, and with 99 comments, perhaps you’ll find some additional sauces to try.  He also blogs about Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce, labeled gluten-free, with many gluten-intolerant people expressing stomach aches and pains after eating it.  It seems they’ve worked it out by 2016 – thankfully – as the Very Well article expresses.

What’s your favorite gluten-free sauce?  I’d love to hear from you on comments below, or via my Facebook page.

   – wendi e.  :o)