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21 Best BBQ Sauces and Glazes for Summer Grilling

ByJenny deRemer Posted on Updated On

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Summer grilling season is here, and there’s nothing like homemade BBQ sauces and glazes to take your cookouts to the next level. I love making my own because they add a personal touch and unforgettable flavors to every dish. Whether you’re a grilling novice or a seasoned pro, these recipes will make your barbecues the highlight of the summer.

A jar of pineapple barbecue sauce.
Photo Credit: Recipe This.

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

A small glass bowl of barbecue sauce sprinkled with black pepper sits on a wooden surface, next to a bunch of fresh parsley. Behind the bowl, there is a hexagonal glass bottle filled with more barbecue sauce. The background is dark and blurred.
Photo Credit: Umamiology.

This sauce brings a unique twist to your summer grilling with its blend of Dr Pepper and spices. It’s perfect for adding a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to ribs or chicken. Ideal for cookouts, it enhances the taste of your grilled dishes effortlessly. The easy preparation makes it a convenient choice for BBQ enthusiasts. Enjoy a flavorful BBQ experience with this standout sauce.
Get the Recipe: Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

Finger-Lickin Good Keto BBQ Sauce (Sugar-Free)

A glass jar filled with smooth, red gochujang sauce sits on a white table with its lid open and a metal spoon inside. In the background, there are small bowls of ingredients and a folded cloth, adding an element of culinary preparation.
Photo Credit: Cuisine and Travel.

A great option for those looking to cut down on sugar without compromising on flavor. This sauce combines a rich blend of spices for a deep, smoky taste, making it perfect for summer grilling. It ensures everyone can enjoy the feast, regardless of dietary preferences. Quick to prepare and versatile, it pairs well with various meats. Keep your BBQ flavorful and health-conscious with this sauce.
Get the Recipe: Finger-Lickin Good Keto BBQ Sauce (Sugar-Free)

Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce (for Grilling, Glazing & Dipping!)

A jar of thick, homemade apricot sauce with a spoon in it sits on a wooden table. Fresh apricots, halved and whole, are scattered around, with a cooking pot and a brush in the background. The scene evokes a rustic kitchen atmosphere.
Photo Credit: The Sage Apron.

This sauce offers a tangy twist with the sweetness of apricots, ideal for summer grilling. Perfect for glazing, dipping, and grilling, it adds a fruity and tart note to your BBQ dishes. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s a great choice for gatherings. This versatile sauce complements chicken, pork, and seafood beautifully. Make your BBQ memorable with this unique flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce (for Grilling, Glazing & Dipping!)

A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A spoon with thick, golden-brown sauce containing small dark particles hovers over a stainless steel pot partially filled with the same liquid.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Combine the sweetness of bourbon with a hint of spice for a glaze that’s perfect for summer grilling. It enhances the flavor of meats like ribs and chicken with its rich and sticky texture. Easy to make and great for adding depth to your BBQ dishes. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their sauces. This distinctive glaze will make your summer BBQs standout.
Get the Recipe: A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

DIY BBQ Rub Recipe – Homemade Gift

Three glass jars labeled
Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

This BBQ rub is a thoughtful homemade gift that adds amazing flavor to your grilled dishes. Easy to prepare with a mix of spices, it’s perfect for summer grilling, ensuring your BBQ has a professional touch. Versatile and practical, it can be used on a variety of meats. Share the love of BBQ with this simple yet impactful rub. It’s a great addition to any grilling repertoire.
Get the Recipe: DIY BBQ Rub Recipe – Homemade Gift

Southern Comeback Sauce

A ramekin filled with a creamy dipping sauce, topped with a sprinkle of pepper, surrounded by crispy crinkle-cut fries. Some fries are dipped into the sauce, creating an appetizing presentation.
Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

This versatile sauce is a Southern favorite that’s great for summer grilling. Combining a creamy base with tangy and spicy elements, it’s ideal for various meats and vegetables. Easy to prepare, it adds a flavorful kick to your BBQ. Perfect for cookouts when you want to impress your guests. Make your BBQ truly memorable with this distinctive sauce.
Get the Recipe: Southern Comeback Sauce

Alabama White Sauce

A wooden spoon filled with creamy, speckled orange sauce is held above a glass jar of the same sauce. The sauce appears to have a smooth texture and contains visible spices and herbs.
Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin’.

This unique sauce stands out with its creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it perfect for grilled chicken and pork during summer BBQs. A traditional choice for BBQ enthusiasts, it’s easy to whip up and complements your grilling perfectly. It adds a distinctive taste that’s both refreshing and bold. Great for those who enjoy a non-traditional BBQ sauce. Enhance your BBQ spread with this classic sauce.
Get the Recipe: Alabama White Sauce

Boom Boom Sauce

A brown bowl filled with creamy dipping sauce, garnished with chopped herbs. Three golden fries are dipped into the sauce. More fries surround the bowl, creating a visually appealing and appetizing scene.
Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

Ideal for those who enjoy a bit of heat, Boom Boom Sauce is a spicy and creamy addition to your BBQ menu. Perfect for dipping or slathering on grilled meats and vegetables, it brings a flavorful kick to your summer grilling. Easy to prepare, this sauce adds excitement to your BBQ. Perfect for those who like their BBQ with a punch. Make your BBQ sessions vibrant with this sauce.
Get the Recipe: Boom Boom Sauce

Easy Homemade Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub Recipe

A small glass jar filled with seasoned powder, a heart-shaped metal teaspoon inside, and a blue and white checkered cloth underneath.
Photo Credit: Fit Mama Real Food.

This rub is perfect for pork and poultry, adding a savory and aromatic touch to your grilling. Easy to prepare, it’s a practical choice for summer BBQs. Enhance the flavor of your meats with this blend of spices. Perfect for adding a professional touch to your home-grilled dishes. Make your BBQs unforgettable with this simple yet effective rub.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub Recipe

Cherry BBQ Sauce

A small white ramekin filled with chocolate sauce is placed on a white saucer. A pink spoon is resting next to it on the saucer. In the background, there is a colorful striped cloth in red, green, and white. A single strawberry lies next to the saucer.
Photo Credit: Art of Natural Living.

Offering a sweet and slightly tart flavor with the addition of cherries, this sauce is ideal for summer grilling. Perfect for glazing ribs and chicken, it adds a unique taste to your BBQ. Easy to prepare, this sauce brings a fresh and fruity note to your dishes. Perfect for those looking to add a twist to traditional BBQ flavors. Enjoy a memorable BBQ with this cherry-infused sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cherry BBQ Sauce

Gravymaster BBQ Sauce Recipe

Close-up of a grilled steak topped with barbecue sauce, displaying a juicy and charred exterior. In the background are blurred yellow and red roasted vegetables, adding a pop of color to the dish. The entire scene suggests a delicious and hearty meal.
Photo Credit: Confessions Of An Overworked Mom.

Using Gravymaster to add depth and richness, this sauce is perfect for summer cookouts. It enhances the flavor of meats with its robust and savory profile. Easy to make, it’s a practical choice for any BBQ enthusiast. Perfect for adding a touch of professional flavor to your grilled dishes. Make your BBQ sessions special with this rich and flavorful sauce.
Get the Recipe: Gravymaster BBQ Sauce Recipe

Tangy Vinegar-Based Carolina BBQ Sauce

A glass jar filled with a brownish-red sauce, garnished with red pepper flakes, is placed on a wooden surface. A spoon dipped into the jar holds some of the sauce. Fresh tomatoes, parsley, and peppercorns are scattered in the background.
Photo Credit: Ole Blue Dog.

Known for its tangy and sharp flavor, this vinegar-based sauce is a staple for Carolina-style BBQ, making it perfect for summer grilling. Ideal for adding a punch to pulled pork and other grilled meats, it’s quick and easy to prepare. This sauce brings a refreshing and bold taste to your BBQ. Enhance your grilling experience with this traditional Carolina sauce. Make your BBQ dishes stand out with its distinctive flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Vinegar-Based Carolina BBQ Sauce

Copycat Bennigan’s Guinness Glaze

Top view of an open glass jar filled with dark, thick sauce, possibly balsamic glaze, resting on a wooden surface. Fresh parsley leaves are arranged around the jar, adding a touch of green to the composition.
Photo Credit: Three Olives Branch.

Combining the rich flavor of Guinness with a sweet and sticky finish, this glaze is perfect for summer grilling. Ideal for adding depth to ribs and steaks, it brings a unique taste to your BBQ. Easy to prepare, it’s a great choice for cookouts. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of Irish flair in their BBQ. Make your grilling sessions stand out with this distinctive glaze.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Bennigan’s Guinness Glaze

Blueberry BBQ Sauce

A close-up of glazed barbecue ribs arranged on a dark plate. The ribs have a shiny, caramelized coating. In the background there is a dollop of sauce with a spoon and a piece of bread. The overall color palette is rich with browns and reds.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

This sauce offers a sweet and tangy flavor with the addition of blueberries, making it ideal for summer BBQs. Perfect for glazing chicken and pork, it adds a fruity note to your dishes. Easy to prepare, it brings a fresh and vibrant taste to your grilling. Perfect for those looking to experiment with unique flavors. Enjoy a standout BBQ with this blueberry-infused sauce.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

A pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw and yellow sauce on a white plate, with a jar of yellow sauce and a colorful cloth in the background.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

This mustard-based sauce is a staple for South Carolina BBQ, known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavor. Perfect for pulled pork and grilled chicken, it adds a distinctive taste to your summer cookouts. Easy to make, it’s a practical choice for any BBQ enthusiast. Perfect for those who enjoy a tangy twist in their BBQ sauces. Make your BBQ sessions memorable with this classic sauce.
Get the Recipe: Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

Homemade Chimichurri Sauce

A close-up of a spoonful of green pesto sauce held above a bowl filled with more pesto. The sauce appears chunky with visible pieces of herbs and other ingredients, giving it a fresh and vibrant green appearance.
Photo Credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

This fresh and vibrant sauce is perfect for summer grilling, adding a bright touch to meats and vegetables. Made with parsley, garlic, and vinegar, it’s easy to prepare and brings a burst of flavor to your BBQ. Ideal for those who enjoy a fresh and herbaceous sauce. Great for marinating or as a topping. Enhance your BBQ dishes with this classic Argentine sauce.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chimichurri Sauce

Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce

A small glass bowl filled with rich red barbecue sauce, placed on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: Piper Cooks.

Whip up a batch of homemade Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce in just thirty minutes with simple ingredients like tomato sauce, spices, brown sugar, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and a touch of bourbon or maple whisky. Get the Recipe: BBQ Sauce

Fajita Marinade

A close-up of a bowl of vibrant, red-orange soup garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. The bowl has a geometric black and white pattern on the rim. Beside the bowl, there are fresh lime wedges and cilantro on a white surface.
Photo Credit: Ole Blue Dog.

Perfect for adding a flavorful touch to your grilled meats and vegetables, this marinade is ideal for summer BBQs. Easy to prepare, it enhances the taste of your fajitas with a blend of spices and citrus. Great for those who enjoy a bit of Mexican flair in their grilling. This marinade ensures your BBQ dishes are full of vibrant flavor. Make your BBQs special with this effective marinade.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Marinade

Easy Homemade Pineapple BBQ Sauce Recipe

A jar of pineapple barbecue sauce.
Photo Credit: Recipe This.

Combining the sweetness of pineapple with savory spices, this sauce is perfect for summer grilling. Ideal for glazing chicken and pork, it adds a tropical twist to your BBQ. Easy to make, this sauce brings a fresh and unique flavor to your dishes. Perfect for those looking to experiment with fruity BBQ sauces. Enjoy a standout BBQ with this pineapple-infused sauce.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Pineapple BBQ Sauce Recipe

Pineapple BBQ Sauce

A close-up of a clear glass filled with a reddish-brown sauce, possibly sweet and sour sauce, with visible chunks of ingredients. A twisted metal spoon is standing up in the sauce. The background is slightly blurred.
Photo Credit: Out Grilling.

Offering a tropical twist with the sweetness of pineapple, this sauce is ideal for summer BBQs. Perfect for glazing ribs and chicken, it adds a fruity and tangy flavor. Easy to prepare, it brings a fresh and vibrant taste to your grilling. Perfect for those looking to add a unique touch to their BBQ. Make your BBQ memorable with this pineapple-infused sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple BBQ Sauce

Red Chimichurri Sauce

A bowl filled with red and green chimichurri sauce, consisting of finely chopped parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and vinegar. The sauce has a vibrant mix of colors, with visible herbs and spices, and a slightly chunky texture.
Photo Credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

This variation of chimichurri adds a spicy kick to your BBQ, perfect for summer grilling. Ideal for marinating meats or as a topping, it brings a bold and vibrant flavor. Easy to prepare, it enhances the taste of your dishes with its blend of spices and herbs. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their sauces. Make your BBQ sessions exciting with this flavorful sauce.
Get the Recipe: Red Chimichurri Sauce

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