19 Barbecue Sauces and Rubs Worth Making Yourself

Backyard meals get a boost from homemade sauces and dry seasonings that complement smoky, grilled flavors. This assortment gives you plenty of choices for seasoning and finishing different meats, along with options that pair well with vegetables. It’s a handy collection for cookouts, smoker sessions, and dinners.

Classic Kansas City Barbecue Sauce with Sweet Tang

A wooden spoon dipped in thick, dark red barbecue sauce over a bowl of the same sauce. — Kansas City Barbecue Sauce. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Sweet, tangy, and bold, this homemade Kansas City Barbecue Sauce brings classic barbecue flavor to the table. It comes together with everyday pantry staples and develops even more depth after chilling overnight.
Get the Recipe: Classic Kansas City Barbecue Sauce with Sweet Tang

Creamy Alabama White Sauce with Southern Kick

Spoon drizzling creamy, seasoned dressing into a glass jar with a blurred lemon and garlic in the background. — Alabama White Sauce. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Smooth and tangy with just the right amount of heat, this Alabama White Sauce is a fresh take on traditional barbecue condiments. Spoon it over grilled chicken or other meats whenever you want a bright, creamy finish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Alabama White Sauce with Southern Kick

Tangy Western North Carolina BBQ Sauce

A wooden bowl of barbecue sauce with a spoon next to shredded meat on a marble surface. — Western North Carolina BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Vinegar-forward and pleasantly sharp, this Western North Carolina BBQ Sauce brings the classic Carolina flavor to pulled pork and grilled meats. Its simple preparation makes it an easy homemade staple for barbecue season.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Western North Carolina BBQ Sauce

Sweet Maple Dry Rub for Ribs

Maple Dry Rub. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Maple brings a subtle sweetness to this savory rib seasoning, balanced with warm spices and a touch of heat. Rub it onto ribs before grilling or smoking when you want a deeply seasoned crust and plenty of barbecue character.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Maple Dry Rub for Ribs

Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce with a Cayenne Kick

Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Keeping It Simple.

Brown sugar gives this sauce its rich sweetness while cayenne and vinegar add tang and heat. Keep a batch ready for chicken, burgers, ribs, or anything that could use a bold barbecue glaze.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce with a Cayenne Kick

Memphis BBQ Sauce with Smoky, Tangy Flavor

A glass jar filled with red sauce sits on a light surface next to a crumpled white cloth. — Memphis BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Cooks with Soul.

Tangy and gently sweet with a smoky edge, this Memphis BBQ Sauce delivers the bold flavor associated with classic Southern barbecue. It pairs naturally with ribs, pulled pork, and other slow-cooked favorites.
Get the Recipe: Memphis BBQ Sauce with Smoky, Tangy Flavor

All-Purpose BBQ Dry Rub for Grilling and Smoking

All-Purpose BBQ Dry Rub. Photo credit: Kim Schob.

A versatile homemade rub can give grilled and smoked meats a deeply seasoned crust and plenty of savory character. This all-purpose blend is handy to keep in the pantry whenever ribs, chicken, or other barbecue favorites are on the menu.
Get the Recipe: All-Purpose BBQ Dry Rub for Grilling and Smoking

Korean BBQ Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Gochujang

Korean BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Gochujang gives this Korean BBQ Sauce its signature combination of savory depth, sweetness, and heat. It comes together quickly, making it an easy way to add bold Korean-inspired flavor to grilled meats and weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Korean BBQ Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Gochujang

Jack Daniels Sauce for Grilling and Smoking

Jack Daniels Sauce. Photo credit: Fancy Apron Cooking.

Rich, savory, and full of barbecue-friendly flavor, this Jack Daniels Sauce is versatile enough for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts. Brush it over smoked meats or use it as a finishing sauce whenever you want an extra layer of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Jack Daniels Sauce for Grilling and Smoking

Bold BBQ Coffee Dry Rub with a Smoky Crust

BBQ Coffee Dry Rub. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

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Ground coffee adds surprising depth to this smoky, sweet dry rub while helping create a beautifully seasoned crust. The easy blend works well for grilling, weeknight cooking, and adding character to meats or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Bold BBQ Coffee Dry Rub with a Smoky Crust

Hot Honey BBQ Sauce with Sweet Heat

Hot Honey BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Camp Grill Eat.

Hot honey gives this BBQ sauce a lively combination of sweetness and spice, with tangy notes to keep the flavor balanced. It is ready quickly and makes a delicious glaze for chicken, pork, and summer grilling favorites.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey BBQ Sauce with Sweet Heat

Ribs Spice Rub with Smoky-Sweet Seasoning

Ribs Spice Rub. Photo credit: Simply Happy Foodie.

A balanced mix of smoky, salty, and sweet flavors gives this Ribs Spice Rub plenty of barbecue appeal, with a gentle hint of heat. Use it before grilling, smoking, baking, or slow cooking for flavorful ribs and other meats.
Get the Recipe: Ribs Spice Rub with Smoky-Sweet Seasoning

Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce with Carolina Flavor

Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Tangy mustard and a touch of spice give this Carolina-style sauce a lively flavor that stands out on grilled meats. It is especially delicious with chicken and pork at a relaxed backyard cookout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce with Carolina Flavor

Homemade Texas BBQ Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Flavor

A spoon drips barbecue sauce into a glass jar, with meat and herbs blurred in the background. — Texas BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

This homemade Texas BBQ Sauce combines sweetness, tang, and gentle heat for a versatile condiment with plenty of character. Keep it on hand for brisket, ribs, chicken, burgers, and other barbecue favorites.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Texas BBQ Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Flavor

Sweet and Tangy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Blueberry BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Smoked Meat Sunday.

Fresh blueberry flavor brings an unexpected fruity twist to this homemade barbecue sauce while keeping the familiar sweet-tangy balance. Try it with grilled meats or vegetables when you want something a little different for the cookout table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Traditional Texas Brisket Rub for Deep, Savory Flavor

Texas Brisket Rub. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

This straightforward seasoning blend is designed to complement brisket without overwhelming the meat's natural flavor. It is a useful homemade staple for smoking or grilling when you want a classic Texas-style barbecue finish.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Texas Brisket Rub for Deep, Savory Flavor

Jerk BBQ Sauce with Jamaican-Inspired Spice

Jerk BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Jamaican jerk seasoning meets classic barbecue flavors in this lively homemade sauce. Its combination of spice and tang makes it a flavorful finishing touch for grilled chicken, pork, and other cookout dishes.
Get the Recipe: Jerk BBQ Sauce with Jamaican-Inspired Spice

BBQ Rub for Pork with Savory Spice

BBQ Rub for Pork. Photo credit: Camp Grill Eat.

A carefully balanced spice blend gives pork a flavorful coating that works beautifully on ribs, chops, and other cuts. Making your own BBQ Rub for Pork keeps a versatile seasoning ready whenever you fire up the grill or smoker.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Rub for Pork with Savory Spice

Homemade Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce with Fruity Flavor

Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce Photo credit: Dinners Done Quick.

Sweet peaches and whiskey bring a distinctive twist to this homemade barbecue sauce, creating a fruity balance for savory dishes. The quick preparation makes it an easy condiment for chicken, pork, and summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce with Fruity Flavor