Barbecue sauce comes in a wide range of colors, from bright red to dark brown. The variety of colors is due to the different ingredients and cooking methods used to make barbecue sauce. While there is no single “correct” bbq sauce color, the most common are red, brown, and orange.
Typical BBQ Sauce Colors
Red BBQ Sauce
The red color of many barbecue sauces comes from tomato paste or ketchup, two of the most widely used ingredients. The red pigment lycopene in tomatoes gives red bbq sauce its signature color. Many Kansas City and Texas-style sauces have a bright red tomato-forward flavor.
Brown BBQ Sauce
Brown bbq sauces get their deep color from molasses, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and spices like black pepper. They often have a tangy, sweet-smoky flavor. Thick, brown sauces are staple condiments in Southern-style barbecue.
Orange BBQ Sauce
Orange barbecue sauces are somewhat less common. They get their vibrant hue from orange juice, orange marmalade, hot chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and other fiery ingredients. The orange color comes through when tomato paste or ketchup are used sparingly.
Other Colors
While red, brown, and orange are the most popular, barbecue sauce can also take on hues like yellow, green, or even purple depending on creative ingredient choices. For example, mustard-based Carolina barbecue sauce has a bright yellow tone. Cilantro and lime can lend a greenish tint.
What Ingredients Affect BBQ Sauce Color?
The specific ingredients used in making barbecue sauce have a direct impact on its final color. Here are some of the most color-influencing components:
Tomato Paste/Ketchup
Tomato paste and ketchup impart a red/orange color. The more that is used, the redder the sauce becomes. Tomato paste contains concentrated lycopene for vivid color.
Molasses
Molasses lends a deep brown or even black color due to its thick, dark consistency. Blackstrap molasses is especially dark.
Sugar
Light or dark brown sugars also darken the tone of barbecue sauce. Turbinado and muscovado sugars have especially dark hues.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce adds a dark brownish-black color. Tamari and other types of soy sauce will also darken the tone.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce contributes a very dark color with its blend of molasses, tamarind, and vinegar. A little bit goes a long way for color.
Mustard
Yellow mustard like a Dijon or stoneground variety adds a vivid yellow coloring. Mustard-based sauces are yellow.
Paprika
Paprika powder made from ground red peppers provides an orangey-red color. Smoked paprika lends a deeper, darker red hue.
Chili Powder
Red chili powder made from ground red chili peppers will boost orange and red tones significantly, depending on how much is used.
Spices
Dark spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, and cinnamon can subtly darken the shade of the barbecue sauce.
Butter & Oil
Butter and oils will give a rich yellow or orange color depending on the variety. Buttered sauces take on a light orange shade.
Vinegar
Clear vinegar adds little color, while balsamic, red wine, rice wine, and apple cider vinegars impart hints of red, orange, and brown.
Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice provides a bright pop of orange. The natural pigments of oranges come through.
Alcohol
Bourbon, rum, beer, and wine lend hints of orange, amber, and red based on the variety used in the sauce.
How Cooking Methods Affect Color
In addition to ingredients, different cooking techniques and preparation methods for barbecue sauce impact its final color:
Raw vs. Cooked
Raw tomato-based barbecue sauce is more orange. Cooking makes it turn bright red as tomato lycopene becomes more concentrated.
Grilled vs. Smoked
Grilled meats with bbq sauce tend to have a vivid orange-red color, while smoked meats pick up a darker, browned exterior hue.
High vs. Low Heat
High-heat caramelization and concentration of sugars will turn a sauce darker. Low and slow cooking retains a lighter profile.
Duration of Cooking
The longer a barbecue sauce simmers, the darker its color becomes as liquid cooks off. Short cook times keep brighter tones.
Whole vs. Pureed
Pureed or strained sauces have a uniform consistency and color. Whole chunks of vegetables lend flecks of color.
Thick vs. Thin
Reducing down a sauce into a thick glaze concentrates its colors. Thin, vinegar-based sauces are lighter.
Open vs. Closed
Open boiling thickens and concentrates color. Closed cooking in a slow cooker, instant pot, etc. retains a lighter profile.
Type of Pan
Cast iron and nonstick pans lend darker color while stainless steel keeps things lighter. Enameled pans fall in between.
Popular Regional American Barbecue Sauce Styles and Colors
Barbecue sauces across various American barbecue regions differ greatly in their flavor profiles and colors. Here is an overview of common regional bbq sauce colors:
Kansas City (KCTM) – Red
Thick, tomato-based Kansas City sauces are typically red and sweet from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, honey, and hot sauce.
Memphis – Red
Memphis barbecue sauces range from pale orange to bright red. They use tomato puree/paste, vinegar, and dry spices.
Texas – Red
Texas bbq sauce is usually a thin, tomato-based sauce that can be tangy, sweet, or spicy. Chili powder makes it red.
South Carolina (SC) – Yellow
Carolina mustard sauce has a bright yellow tone from the generous use of prepared yellow mustard.
North Carolina (NC) – Reddish Brown
NC sauces are gently tomato-based with cider vinegar and pepper flakes for a reddish-brown tint.
Alabama (AL) – White
Alabama white barbecue sauce has a mayonnaise base so it has an off-white color. Some vinegar is added as well.
Kentucky (KY) – Clear
Kentucky black bbq sauce is actually clear and tart from just vinegar, pepper, and spices with little to no tomato.
Florida – Orange
Florida bbq sauces use orange juice, garlic, and Caribbean ingredients like mango, pineapple, rum, and curry.
Hawaii – Red
Bold Hawaiian barbecue sauces blend ketchup, pineapple, ginger, soy sauce, garlic, and chili pepper for a red color.
Louisiana (LA) – Dark Brown
Louisiana’s sweet, smoky, and spicy sauces use molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar for a very dark color.
What is the Most Common BBQ Sauce Color?
If you had to choose just one color to represent classic American barbecue sauce, red would be it. Thick, sweet, tomato-forward red barbecue sauce is considered the most traditional and popular across the country.
The red sauce originated with KC barbecue, which emerged as a national force thanks to sauce bottled and sold commercially nationwide. While regional differences exist, red is the quintessential and ubiquitous bbq sauce color that first comes to mind.
Red barbecue sauce strikes a balance between the sweetness of brown sauces and the vinegar tartness of Carolina sauces. The red color comes primarily from ketchup and tomato paste or puree. Paprika, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and other ingredients also lend red/orange tones.
You’ll find bold red barbecue sauce served with classic American bbq staples like ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, tri-tip, and more. Red-hued sauce in a squeeze bottle on the table is practically synonymous with backyard summertime grilling.
Popular Brands of BBQ Sauce and Their Color Profiles
Within the wide range of barbecue sauce colors, different brands have their unique hues based on ingredients and processing methods. Here is a look at some top commercially sold bbq sauce colors:
Sweet Baby Ray’s (SBR) Original – Red
The hugely popular Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce has a ketchup base with brown sugar, garlic, and spices. It has a bright tomato red color.
KC Masterpiece Original – Red
This sweater, tangier sauce uses tomato paste for a true red Kansas City look. Molasses and vinegar add flavor.
Stubbs Original – Red-Orange
Stubbs starts with a ketchup base but adds orange juice and spices for a reddish-orange tone.
Stubb’s Spicy – Dark Red
Stubb’s Spicy gets its very dark red color from ancho and guajillo chili purees with a hint of tomato paste.
Famous Dave’s Rich & Sassy – Dark Red
A blend of tomato puree and dark brown sugar gives this sauce its very deep, almost burgundy-like red/purple hue.
Bone Suckin’ Sauce – Brown
This Carolina classic owes its golden brown color to brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
Jack Daniel’s Original No. 7 – Brown
Real Tennessee whiskey gives this sauce its dark brown color along with molasses and tomatoes.
Dinosaur Original BBQ Sensuous Slathering – Orange
Orange juice concentrate gives Dinosaur Sauce its distinctly orange color and tangy flavor.
Head Country Original – Orange
Spicy paprika combined with tomatoes and molasses make this Oklahoma sauce a reddish-orange.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey – Orange
The honey and brown sugar balance out the traditional ketchup for a more golden orange looking Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce.
How Light, Oxygen, and Storage Affect Color Over Time
Like any food product, barbecue sauce can gradually experience color changes over time from factors like:
- Light exposure – Light can degrade pigments and cause fading of vibrant red tones into duller orange hues. Keeping sauce in darker storage preserves color.
- Oxygen – Exposure to air can foster oxidation reactions and a loss of colorintensity. Sealed storage helps maintain the original shade.
- Time – Over many months, subtle color shifts to slightly duller and darker tones can occur as pigments degrade.
- Extremes of temperature – High heat and freezing can accelerate color deterioration through pigment breakdown.
- Containers – Translucent containers allow more light exposure compared to dark bottles that help preserve sauce color.
To maintain the freshest, most vibrant bbq sauce colors, keep bottles sealed in a cool, dry, and dark place like a cupboard. Refrigeration can also slow color degradation. Avoid clear containers on sunny countertops or windowsills over time.
How to Naturally Adjust BBQ Sauce Color at Home
You can easily tweak store-bought sauce colors by adding extra ingredients or swap in homemade versions with more control over the tone. Some options:
- For a redder tone – Blend in tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, ketchup, paprika, red wine.
- For an oranger shade – Mix in orange marmalade, orange juice, apricot jam, peach preserves.
- For a darker color – Add molasses, brown sugar, balsamic or red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce.
- For a yellower hue – Incorporate yellow mustard, lemon juice, turmeric powder, curry powder.
- To lighten up – Splash in chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice.
Start with small amounts and tweak until you achieve your ideal bbq sauce color profile. Combine different homemade batches to create all kinds of custom colors.
How Color Indicates BBQ Sauce Taste and Uses
While there are always exceptions, bbq sauce color can generally provide clues to its taste, ingredients, uses, and regional style:
- Red – Tomato-based, slightly sweet flavor good for dipping, grilling, glazing ribs or chicken. Kansas City style.
- Brown – Bold sweet-smoky profile great for ribs, pulled pork, brisket. Southern style.
- Orange – Tangy and moderately spicy for chicken, seafood, vegetables. Floridian style.
- Yellow – Mustard-vinegar bite works well on Carolina pulled pork sandwiches.
- Green – Herbaceous, savory flavor nice for chicken, fish. Can have southwestern taste.
- White – Creamy, peppery flavor excellent for chicken, seafood, potatoes. Alabama style.
- Clear – Sharp vinegar taste good for dipping meats. Pairs well with spicy food. Kentucky style.
The color certainly doesn’t define the sauce, but it can provide helpful visual clues about what you might expect the flavor to be based on ingredients associated with that hue. But it’s always wise to read labels and taste test. Never judge a barbecue sauce just on its color alone!
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Sauce Colors
What color is Sweet Baby Ray’s bbq sauce?
The original Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce has a bright red color from tomatoes and ketchup. They also offer honey and teriyaki flavors with more orangey-brown tones.
Why is my bbq sauce turning dark?
Darkening of barbecue sauce over time can be caused by oxidation, the browning of sugars and reactants, or degradation of pigments. Keeping sauce refrigerated in an airtight bottle helps prevent this.
How do I make a red bbq sauce?
Use tomato paste, tomato puree, ketchup, red bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes as the base. Then add paprika, red chili powder, red wine vinegar, hot sauce, etc. for extra red coloring.
What gives barbecue sauce its red color?
The red pigment lycopene, which is found naturally in high amounts in tomatoes, imparts the classic red color to tomato-based barbecue sauces. Paprika and chili powder also lend red/orange tones.
What ingredients make bbq sauce black?
Molasses, dark brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, squid ink, and blackstrap rum are some ingredients that can make barbecue sauce an extremely dark brown or black color.
Why did my dijon bbq sauce turn brown?
The acid from the mustard interacting with the sugars in the sauce at high heats likely caused caramelization and Maillard browning reactions, turning the sauce from yellow to brown.
How can I make a light colored barbecue sauce?
Use a mayonnaise, yogurt, cream, or coconut milk base instead of tomatoes. Go easy on molasses, soy sauce, etc. Add lighter ingredients like lemon juice, pineapple, honey, broth.
What gives Hawaiian bbq sauce its color?
The red/orange color of Hawaiian sauces comes from a blend of ketchup, chili peppers, papaya, pineapple, ginger, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
How do you keep store-bought bbq sauce red?
Avoid direct light exposure. Keep bottles sealed and stored in a cool, dark cupboard. Refrigeration can also help slow color deterioration over time.
Conclusion
Barbecue sauces come in a diverse rainbow of eye-catching colors. The specific ingredients, cooking process, and storage conditions all affect the final sauce shade. From ketchup-red to mustard-yellow, the hue offers clues about what flavor you can expect. Now that you know all about the colors of bbq sauce, you can mix and match to create your very own masterpiece sauce. Brush on your personalized colored creation and get ready for the ultimate barbecue experience.