Survey: Top 20 BBQ Sauce Styles in America Revealed

Joe ClementsMarch 9, 2024March 13, 2024

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We recently conducted a study to identify the most celebrated BBQ style sauce across the country, surveying 3,000 BBQ enthusiasts. 

Our goal? To uncover the ultimate BBQ sauce that captures the heart of the nation’s taste buds. 

The delicious results, as illustrated below, showcase a wide range of preferences, from Arizona’s fiery concoctions to Florida’s innovative citrus-infused varieties. Take a look!

Key Findings:

• Diverse Preferences: The survey reveals a wide range of BBQ sauce style preferences across the United States, from Arizona’s bold and smoky sauce to Alabama’s unique mayonnaise-based white sauce, indicating diverse regional tastes.
• Importance of BBQ Sauce: Over two-thirds of respondents believe that BBQ sauce plays a crucial role in a BBQ gathering, capable of making or breaking the event, highlighting the sauce’s significance beyond mere accompaniment.
• Global BBQ Curiosity: When asked about experiencing BBQ styles from other countries, Jamaica, Brazil, and Australia topped the list, showing a strong interest in international BBQ flavors and techniques.
• Celebrity Chef Influence: The survey lists preferred celebrity chefs for a BBQ meal, suggesting that public figures in the culinary world significantly influence BBQ enthusiasts’ preferences and inspirations.
• Optimal Frequency of BBQ Gatherings: Respondents suggest that the ideal number of BBQ gatherings during the season is six, indicating a balance between enjoyment and overindulgence.

Implications of the Study:

• Cultural Diversity & Appreciation: The variety in BBQ sauce preferences and the interest in international BBQ styles reflect the cultural diversity within the United States and a willingness to appreciate global culinary traditions.
• Sauce as a Central Element of BBQ: The critical role of BBQ sauce in determining the success of a BBQ gathering underscores the importance of culinary elements in enhancing social events, suggesting that food choices are central to American social culture.
• Influence of Celebrity Chefs: The preference for certain celebrity chefs to cook a BBQ meal indicates the significant impact of media and celebrity endorsements on culinary choices, shaping public perceptions and preferences.
• Social Dynamics of BBQ Gatherings: The finding that there is an optimal number of BBQ gatherings suggests that while these events are cherished social occasions, there is a threshold to their frequency that balances enjoyment with the desire for variety and other forms of social interaction.
• Safety and Responsibility in BBQ Practices: The admission by some respondents of serving undercooked meat at BBQs, and the acknowledgment of grilling while drinking, highlight areas for improvement in BBQ safety and responsibility, suggesting a need for greater awareness and education on safe grilling practices.