BBQ sauce is a condiment I always keep stocked in my kitchen cupboard, yet there's no shortage of options available on the market. It brings a rich, smoky depth to dishes and serves as the ultimate dipping sauce for chips.
For years, I've chosen BBQ sauce over tomato ketchup as my preferred condiment. Typically, I reach for Heinz's BBQ sauce, though I must confess I've never actually sampled any own-brand alternatives. Most of the major UK supermarkets stock their own BBQ sauces at a variety of price points.
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I decided to pit a selection of them against the branded version to determine which would reign supreme. The outcome of my taste test genuinely surprised me, leaving me with a new firm favourite at a considerably reduced price. Here's how my taste test unfolded...
Co-op - £1.05
Propping up my rankings is Co-op's Smoky BBQ Sauce. For my palate, the sauce lacked that classic kick you'd expect from a BBQ sauce, leaving me craving more flavour, as it's decidedly on the mild side. The sauce was noticeably paler than all the others in the taste test.
2/10
Asda - 84p
Coming in second from bottom is Asda's Classic BBQ Sauce, which tasted far too vinegary for my liking. It boasted a considerably darker colour and was thicker in consistency than the Co-op offering.
5/10
Sainsbury's - £1.25
Sainsbury's sauce delivered a pleasant, sweet and tangy flavour, but proved slightly too tomato-heavy for my personal tastes. It did, however, carry a satisfying smoky note.
6/10
M&S - £1.40
Marks and Spencer's BBQ sauce is a genuine rival to Heinz, delivering a thoroughly enjoyable flavour. While distinctly different from the branded sauce, it distinguishes itself in all the right ways.
It boasts a perfectly smoky and rich taste, with a subtly spiced finish that lingers pleasantly. The inclusion of smoked paprika appears to be the key ingredient that sets it apart.
8/10
Heinz - £2.98 from Asda
This trusted favourite continues to score highly, striking an ideal balance of sweetness, smokiness, and depth of flavour. Its tangy BBQ taste remains a firm staple that is unlikely to be dethroned any time soon.
9/10
Lidl - 79p
Despite a firm loyalty to the branded option, Lidl's offering proved a remarkable surprise, delivering a taste that arguably surpasses its more expensive rivals. The most budget-friendly sauce on the list certainly delivers well above its modest price point, boasting a thick, dark consistency.
It holds its shape rather than sliding across the plate, making it an ideal companion tucked inside a burger bun. Both the flavour and the wallet-friendly price tag make this the standout choice for the next shopping trip.
10/10