Sweet Baby Ray's Original Barbecue Sauce
America's best-selling BBQ sauce with perfectly balanced sweet-tangy flavor.
Reviewed by Avery Wilson • October 5, 2025
Our Review
Sweet Baby Ray's Original Barbecue Sauce has earned its place as America's #1 selling BBQ sauce through its perfectly balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of tastes. The sauce combines sweet notes from brown sugar and pineapple juice with tangy vinegar and a subtle hint of smoke, creating a versatile sauce that works on everything from ribs and chicken to burgers and pulled pork. The thick consistency clings beautifully to meat and caramelizes perfectly on the grill without burning. Whether you're using it as a marinade, basting sauce, or finishing glaze, Sweet Baby Ray's delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results every time.
Pros
- •Perfectly balanced sweet-tangy flavor
- •Thick consistency that clings well
- •Caramelizes beautifully without burning
- •Versatile for all meats
- •Affordable price
- •Widely available
Cons
- •High sugar content
- •Contains high fructose corn syrup
- •May be too sweet for some tastes
Specifications
- Size
- 40 oz bottle
- Primary Flavors
- Sweet, tangy, smoky
- Key Ingredients
- Tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice
- Gluten Free
- Yes
- Consistency
- Thick
- Shelf Life
- 12 months unopened
Our Testing Process
We tested this sauce on various meats including ribs, chicken, pork, and burgers. We evaluated flavor balance, consistency, caramelization properties, and versatility across different cooking methods.