An industry that continues to thrive in the United States despite recent challenges is the barbecue industry. Of the largest influences on the success of this market, the one with the most impact has been the development and manufacturing of so many unique sauces to pair with barbecued meats. In fact, each year the United States accounts for nearly $2 billion spent in the development of different barbecue sauces. Shockingly, this value doesn’t even consider the homemade barbecue sauce recipes that families have normalized in their homes for generations.
As more and more sauces continue to be developed and manufactured, finding the perfect combination between meat and sauce grows more and more difficult. It’s no longer guaranteed that the sauce you like on your brisket can double as the sauce you’ll use for your ribs. While it’s true that an excellent sauce can evolve your meats, it’s hard to determine exactly what that sauce is. The worst part about being so unsure is that the wrong sauce can ruin any meat.
Avoiding these disastrous combinations can be hard, but the infographic featured alongside this post is meant to save you from any disgusting flavor collisions. Not only will the resource detail where certain sauces exist on the temperature and flavor spectrum, they’ll also detail how and why these sauces pair well with specific meats. Understanding how these sauces compliment the meats is imperative in determining the right combination.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t an exact science. Finding the perfect pair will almost always come down to preference. One person’s ideal combination of flavors might be the worst thing another person has tasted. Knowing that every one’s tastes are different, it can be hard to pinpoint even a single meat that belongs with a single sauce. Rather than trying to make sense of everyones’ preferences, there are ways to provide the best suited sauce options for your meats.
For example, if you were planning on hosting your family and friends for a barbecue this summer, offer as many sauces to them as you can. It’s almost guaranteed that they will find a combination that works for them out of all of the options available. Not only that, it gives them the option to explore countless flavors they may not have ever tried before. Who knows, maybe this get-together could result in a newfound favorite for one of your guests.
Remember these tips to ensure the best pairing for your sauces and meats:
- The perfect barbecue experience starts with the meat and ends with the sauce. No sauce will ever excuse a poorly cooked set of ribs or brisket.
- In order to determine your most ideal sauce, you’ve got to be willing to try new ones. Explore sauces outside of your normal comfort zone to get a feel for each of their unique taste profiles.
- Reach out to local barbecue establishments. Barbecue experts are great resources for quality meats and quality sauces, often prepared in their own kitchen. Explore the options offered at local restaurants for inspiration in your own creations.
To learn more about different sauce flavor profiles, be sure to review the infographic coupled alongside this post. Courtesy of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants.