20 Unexpected Ways To Use Barbecue Sauce

As grillmasters gear up for warmer weather, they anxiously await the smell of smoking hickory wood chips, the refreshing taste of ice-cold beer, and of course, dousing their creations in a big bowl of barbecue sauce. Who can resist the sticky, smokey sauce that balances the line between sweet and savory so delicately? It's one of a kind yet comes in all flavors, colors, and styles. And while nobody can resist a classic rack of ribs slathered in the good stuff, there are so many unexpected ways to use barbecue sauce that go unexplored.

While most of us know how to make a quick, sweet, and tangy barbecue sauce, we also understand that the options are nearly endless when it comes to added ingredients. Anything from pineapple or cherry juice to espresso powder can take it to a whole new level. And just as important as the flavor is what you'll be pouring it over. Luckily, barbecue sauce is quite versatile, so it can adorn a range of flavors beyond simply meat. Here are some unexpected ways to use barbecue sauce that you might not have thought of before.

At every pizza party, you can expect to find a cheese pizza with tomato sauce. And while we love a good margherita pizza, it's worth it to explore the numerous other sauces that pair well with the crusty, cheesy combination. Although your Italian ancestors may be rolling over in their graves, barbecue pizza is worth a try. It's similar enough to a sweet tomato sauce, as barbecue is tomato-based as well, but does tend to steal the show.

Consider pairing it with chicken and red onion for a classic BBQ chicken pizza recipe, or try giving your gourmet pizza toppings an upgrade by pairing it with roasted corn, Swiss chard, mushrooms, and garlic. Add barbecue sauce to vegan or gluten-free pizzas to help overpower any substitutes that might not quite hit the mark.

Although fruit tends to take center stage when it comes to sweetness, there are quite a few vegetables out there that are loaded with natural sugars. These sugars come to the surface when they're cooked, and especially when they're grilled or caramelized. You can't argue that a caramelized onion or grilled red pepper isn't packed with sweet undertones. Root vegetables in particular can be incredibly sweet and pair beautifully with barbecue sauce.

Try glazing your carrots with barbecue sauce or adding it to your grilled vegetables this summer. Who says grilled meats get to have all the fun when it comes to barbecue sauce? Carrots are especially delicious because of their natural sugars, and because their mellow, earthy flavor shines when slathered with the sticky sauce. They can make for an incredibly powerful side dish.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with homemade burgers is forgetting to season them properly. Yes, it's easy to shape a handful of ground beef into a patty, throw it on the grill, and call it a day. But if you want those burgers to sing, you're going to have to raid your spice cabinet.

Whether you're making beef, turkey, or veggie burgers, consider adding finely diced raw onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Herbs like dried parsley or even sage or thyme can complement some proteins quite nicely. But don't skimp on the barbecue sauce. Consider adding a few tablespoons of sweet or smokey sauce to your burger mix. This will help the patty caramelize as it comes in contact with heat and give it flavorful undertones.

Chili is famous for housing secret ingredients that range from pickle juice to peanut butter, but we think we've found the perfect ingredient to make it pop. Because chili typically contains a little sweetener, plenty of spices, and smokey undertones, barbecue sauce can be an incredible addition to the tomato broth. Note that because you've added this sauce, you may be able to tone back the sweetener or heat depending on the kind of sauce you're using.

We recommend springing for a smokey barbecue sauce with peppery undertones to help intensify the campfire-cooked feel. Just a tablespoon or so will do to start as you can always add more along the way. You want to avoid the chili tasting like barbecue sauce, so instead use it to complement and enhance the prominent flavors.

If you start your day off with an egg dish every morning, then it's likely you enjoy routine or have a plethora of unique variations up your sleeve. Next time you go to make your famous soft and fluffy scrambled eggs recipe or that classic over easy, consider a new condiment. Yes, ketchup and hot sauce often find themselves at the breakfast table next to eggs, but barbecue sauce carries a bit more pizzaz.

Eggs have a mild flavor and deserve to be dressed up every now and again. Use just a little bit of barbecue sauce right in your cheesy eggs, or drizzle it over the top after they've come off the stove. You can even use barbecue sauce in your breakfast sandwiches or in a croissant breakfast casserole recipe.

Classic creamy grits are a Southern staple that can be eaten with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They're made with ground corn, and it just doesn't get any simpler than that. Typically, grits are jazzed up with butter and cheese, but they can be found in a variety of forms depending on the creator. Gravy is sometimes added after the grits have been cooked, but we think it's fun to play around with a sauce that has a little more of a tangy punch to it.

Try drizzling your cheesy grits with a little smokey barbecue sauce. When done just right, they should be creamy and mild, which makes for an incredible complementary mouthfeel and flavor for the tomato-based sauce. Only use a thin drizzle so as not to overpower the dish.

Every summer, corn hits the spotlight hard. And right by its side, without fail, is trusty old butter. While some may venture as far as to add salt and pepper to their corn, or even mayonnaise and cheese, there are numerous ways to season corn on the cob that should be considered.

Think outside of the box and try using a drizzle of sweet barbecue sauce. The sugars in the sauce complement the natural sugars in the corn, and it adds a smokey and spicy pop of flavor. We recommend using a thinner sauce, or one thinned with a little butter or olive oil, in order to allow the sauce to be lightly drizzled and get caught between the kernels.

Although your classic foolproof caramelized onion recipe is simple to make and fairly basic, there are plenty of additions that can help elevate them and tie them into the rest of your meal. Some additions like garlic or balsamic vinegar are classic, but it may be worth it to go out on a limb and try adding barbecue sauce to those buttery, sweet veggies.

The trick to perfect caramelized barbecue onions is to wait until the last minute to add the barbecue sauce. If you add it too early, it will likely stick to the pan and increase your chances of burning the onions. Instead, wait until the onions are just about to come off and add a small drizzle of sauce. Stir it in, let it simmer, and then remove from the heat.

Yes, vegan pulled pork may sound like an oxymoron, but as the vegan movement gains popularity, folks have developed some veg-tastic meat alternatives. For instance, there are many ways to turn mushrooms into plant-based meat. A great pulled pork texture example would be pulled king oyster mushrooms, which shred in a very similar way as cooked pork and have a meaty flavor and mouthfeel. Another method is using shredded jackfruit in a BBQ sandwich. Some have gone as far as to use up banana peels by making an incredible Brazilian dish that mimics the pulled delicacy.

However, the most important part of making vegan meat is paying special attention to the seasoning. It's critical to use a flavorful barbecue sauce to help transform vegetables into the classic pulled pork recipe we all grew up on.

Side dishes are often rather mellow in order to allow the main courses to sparkle. However, there are ways to make a memorable side dish without completely taking over the plate. Potato salad is one of those sides that can range from predictable to unique. If you've always made your potato salad the same way, then it's time to change up your game.

There are several ways to include barbecue sauce in a classic Southern potato salad recipe. The first is by mixing it right into the dressing. If you go with this option, be sure to start small and add more as needed. The sauce should complement, not overpower the subtle flavors of the creamy potatoes and fresh herbs. If you'd rather, drizzle a barbecue sauce vinaigrette over the finished potato salad. Be sure to mix your barbecue sauce with olive oil, vinegar, and citrus juice to thin it out and avoid a gloppy mess.