Sweet Barbecue Sauce & the Great Sauce Wars

This barbecue drama is bigger than Pirates versus Ninjas.

Sweet barbecue sauce is at the heart of an epic struggle. This barbecue drama is bigger than Obi-Wan versus Vader, it's bigger than Pirates versus Ninjas, even bigger than Redskins versus Cowboys. Somewhere along life's way, whether you use barbecue sauce or not became a BIG deal. We are here to take a side. We are also here to be reasonable about it. (We'll try.)

The Case for Sauce

We at Piggy Ribs have compassion for our dear sauceless brothers who have yet to see the light. Collagen has gotten a bad rap. We all know it's in the ribs. We all know it can lead to tough meat if you don't handle it right. But what some find hard to accept is that collagen is merely sugars and gelatin waiting to be unlocked by time and heat.

Cooked ribs are sweet by themselves. Why not offer them a sweet, thick blanket of barbecue sauce — like a warm hug? Why tomato-based? Because concentrated tomato products are loaded with lycopene. Who would not want to fight free radicals with a tasty sauce? We're practically health food over here.

Yes, vinegar has its own certain health benefits. But it could pickle your brain. And you simply cannot pour on a watery imitation barbecue sauce and expect it to stick around. The sauce must commit.

The Trifecta of Great Ribs

Peter, Paul and Mary. Larry, Moe, and Curly. Red, White, and Blue. Sun, Sand, and Surf. The world is loaded with great threes that would be nothing any other way. The trifecta of perfection in ribs is rub, smoke, and sauce. Fortunately, the only point of contention is the sauce — or the conflict would have swept away life as we know it years ago.

Barbecue Sauce Abuse — A Concession

We must pause and make a concession to the other side. Yes, it is true that some have abused barbecue sauce and tried to disguise poorly-done ribs. The rub was stale, the smoke was too strong, the meat wasn't tender. But that is not the sauce's fault. The rest of us who have done ribs right up to the point of sauce shouldn't have to labor under false guilt that barbecue sauce is somehow dirty.

Those great barbecue folks in Memphis, bless their hearts, have proven that they can make great ribs that may not need any sauce. Our hats are off to them. They are the salt of the earth.

But we make our appeal: do what is right for the ribs. Do what is right for the trifecta. Do it for Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod. Do it for Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. Do it for the three little pigs — because the sauce is boss.

This concludes our sermon. Amen.

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BBQ Sauce Recipes → Best BBQ Sauce Guide → Dry Rub for Ribs → Smoking Pork Ribs →