With dozens of barbecue sauce brands and flavors vying for attention at the grocery store, will Stubb's new offering spark a fire with grill masters? Our on-staff grill master gave it a shot, and here's what he thought.
We Reviewed the New Stubb’s BBQ Sauce and Here’s What We Found
Like any red-blooded American, I love a good barbecue sauce—especially when it’s one of the homemade recipes our readers send in. Not only is the finger-licking summer staple a must on grilled greats, but I also think it’s a lip-smacking addition to chicken fingers and potato skins. I’ve even used it with egg rolls when there was no sweet-and-sour sauce in the house. (Don’t judge me!)
So, when I had the chance to sample the limited edition of Stubb’s Sweet Honey & Spice Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce, I thought I hit the lottery of writing assignments. I decided to put the new product to the test—a taste test.
Test #1: Grilled Pork Chops
The first test? Stubb’s sauce on grilled pork chops. (And if you want to grill your own chops, check out this 5-star recipe for Favorite Grilled Pork Chops!)
Initially, I was surprised how thin the sauce was. Personally, I like a thick sauce you have to slather on…one that really clings to the meat. No biggie, though. I happily grilled up the juicy pork chops and moved onto the taste test.
In the end, the chops were good, but the flavor of the sauce seemed a bit weak. I prefer barbecue sauces that feature a hint of sweetness, and I was slightly disappointed in this Sweet Honey & Spice variety.
Test #2: Skillet Chicken
The next night was nutty at our house, so I simmered up chicken breasts in a skillet with Stubb’s sauce. The sauce did thicken a bit as it cooked, but it was still thinner than I like. The flavor of the sauce came through better in this dish, but the vinegar, allspice and pepper masked any hint of honey. I served the chicken with potatoes wedges on the side, and the sauce complimented the spuds nicely.
Test #3: Burgers
Who doesn’t love a thick juicy burger? Everyone—that’s who. That said, my final taste test was using Stubb’s sauce was over All-American Bacon Cheeseburgers. The sauce held it’s own here—perhaps because I didn’t cook with it. Not as thick as ketchup, the sauce added change-of-pace spices and flair to my burger and complemented the bacon, cheddar and beef well.
My Conclusion
Today’s grocery shelves are lined with barbecue sauces, and many home cooks are stirring up their own sauces. As such, I’m not sure Stubb’s Sweet Honey & Spice Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce will stand out against the competition. Don’t get me wrong—it’s not bad. I’m actually willing to bet plenty of barbecue-fanatics are going to like it. The thin texture, lack of sweetness and strong vinegar flavor just didn’t satiate the taste buds in my house. Sorry Mr. Stubb!
Have a BBQ sauce you love? Try it in one of these delish recipes.
BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread PuddingTo me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and it's simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet-and-savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Grilled Marinated RibeyesThese juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
Slow-Cooked Mesquite RibsWhen we're missing the grill during winter, these tangy ribs give us that same smoky barbecue taste we love. They're so simple, and fall-off-the-bone delicious too! —Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan
Barbecue Chicken Cobb SaladI turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine, carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Tropical Sweet and Spicy Pork TenderloinWhen we crave something sweet and spicy, pork tenderloin cooked with chipotle, barbecue sauce and pineapple really delivers. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Glazed Chicken WingsI received this easy wing recipe from a cousin on Vancouver Island during a visit there a few years ago. They're an appealing appetizer, but also a favorite for Sunday lunch with rice and a salad. —Joan Airey, Rivers, Manitoba
Tasty Pork RibsI like to serve these tender, country-style ribs over rice. The tantalizing aroma and zippy Cajun barbecue sauce are sure to make this dish a favorite at your house.—Michelle Rominger, Albia, Iowa
Sloppy Joe Biscuit CupsI’m a busy teacher and mom, so weekday meals with shortcuts are a huge help. I always have to share the recipe when I take these to school. —Julie Ahern, Waukegan, Illinois
Quick Barbecued BeansBarbecued beans are a simple, classic recipe and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Polynesian Pulled ChickenI love the aroma of pork as it cooks but don't eat pork, so I make a pulled chicken with coconut and pineapple for a Polynesian twist. —Becky Walch, Manteca, California
Skillet BBQ Beef PotpieBeef potpie is a classic comfort food, but who's got time to see it through? My crowd-pleaser is not only speedy but an excellent way to use leftover stuffing. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Fruit-Glazed Pork ChopsHere’s a fast and simple way to grill chops in half an hour. Other fruit preserves can be easily substituted. These are also nice broiled in the oven. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Shredded Barbecue Chicken over GritsThere’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
Slow-Cooked Pork BarbecueYou need only five ingredients to fix this sweet and tender pork for sandwiches. Feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your family's tastes. —Connie Johnson, Springfield, Missouri
Baby Back RibsSlow-cook the ribs during the day and they will be ready to finish on the grill when you get home. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Dr Pepper Pulled PorkMouthwatering Dr Pepper pulled pork, infused with the sweet, bold flavor of Dr Pepper and the smoky heat of chipotle peppers, is perfect for casual gatherings and cookouts.
Barbecued Pork Chop SupperI start these slow cooker BBQ pork chops in the morning and enjoy a tasty supper later with no last-minute work. We just get to eat! —Jacqueline Jones, Round Lake Beach, Illinois
Barbecue Brats & PeppersWe live in brat country, and this barbecue-style recipe feeds a crowd. The sauce gives it a welcome change from the same old grilled bratwurst. — Maria Zrucky, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
Barbecued Chicken PizzaSo simple, this barbecue chicken pizza is a fast meal for any day of the week. It’s super versatile, too, and can easily feed one or a crowd.
Barbecue Chicken TostadasLots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
BBQ Chicken SlidersBrining the meat overnight helps make these BBQ chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri
Apple ChickenLooking for a way to use up your apple-picking bounty and a tasty new way to cook chicken? This apple chicken slow-cooker recipe is for you.
Quick Hawaiian PizzaOur family never quite liked the taste of canned pizza sauce, so one time I tried mixing some barbecue sauce into spaghetti sauce to add some sweetness. I’ve made my pizzas with this special and easy sauce ever since, and my family loves it! —Tonya Schieler, Carmel, Indiana
Slow-Cooker Country-Style RibsThese slow-cooker country-style ribs are delicious, saucy and fall-apart tender. Braised with your favorite sauce, they make a good centerpiece for a traditional barbecue spread.
Caribbean Chipotle Pork SlidersOur favorite pulled pork sliders combine the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
Three-Bean Baked BeansI got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
Honey Chipotle RibsNothing is better than having a sauce with the perfect slather consistency. Here's one that will ensure a lip-smacking feast. Go ahead and make the sauce up to a week ahead for an easier grilling experience. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts
Bacon & Cheddar ChickenCheese and bacon don’t usually come “light.” But this tasty recipe keeps the fat and calories low and flavor high. This family friendly chicken bacon recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger group. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle Idaho
Barbecue Chicken QuesadillaYou and your family will love these barbecue chicken quesadillas, a perfectly quick and easy weeknight dinner that's so tasty you'd pay for it at a restaurant.
Pulled Pork SandwichesLet the slow cooker do the work for you and enjoy these tangy, tasty pulled pork sandwiches with minimal hands-on effort required.
Barbecue ChickenJuicy, saucy barbecue chicken is a highlight of any grilling season. Cut up whole chickens for the best quality pieces, and add a homemade tangy barbecue sauce that's impossible to resist.
Turkey MeltFor those days when you're rushing from work to home to evening activity, this turkey melt sandwich with green chiles is about to become your standby.
Slow-Cooker Peach BBQ RibsFor eat-the-whole-rack ribs, start with a rub of chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Then slather on sweet peachy sauce. Keep the napkins coming. — Sue Ryon, Shorewood, Wisconsin
Barbecue Bacon BurgerThis fantastic barbecue bacon burger has it all: melted cheese, tangy barbecue sauce, crispy bacon and thick onion rings. A cheeseburger doesn't get much better than this!
BBQ Chicken Pizza Roll-UpThese slices make a fab, filling snack with loads of sweet and tangy flavor. —Tracey Birch, Queen Creek, Arizona
“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ RibsA sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Beef BarbecueWe like to keep our freezer stocked with plenty of beef roasts. When we're not in the mood for pot roast, I fix these satisfying sandwiches instead. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm work. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm at work. Then I just shred the beef and serve it on rolls.
—Karen Walker
Sterling, Virginia
Honey-Beer Braised RibsBraised in beer with a sweet honey finish, these tender, flavor-rich ribs will be the talk of the table. Serve them with baked potatoes, green beans and a salad for a memorable meal. —Terry Serena, McMurray, Pennsylvania
Root Beer Pulled Pork SandwichesMy husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
