10 Brisket Barbecue Sauces for Your Next Barbecue

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/16/20

There are few things better than barbecue brisket. What makes it even better is the perfect barbecue sauce. A good, rich barbecue sauce adds flavor to smoked brisket whether it is sliced to chopped, but the most important benefit is the moisture it adds. Barbecue brisket can dry out quickly, either in the smoker or more likely once it is cut up for serving. To prevent the meat from getting too dry, you want to add a little sauce. Whether you like it slathered or lightly brushed with sauce, these barbecue sauce recipes are exactly what your brisket is asking for.

  • 01 of 10

    Texas BBQ Sauce

    Barbecue sauce

    The Spruce

    In Texas, BBQ sauce is a sweet and spicy mixture of tomatoes and spices. Somewhat old-fashioned when compared to popular sauces of today. this barbecue sauce starts with a stock. It takes a little more time to make but this brisket sauce is certainly worth the wait.

  • 02 of 10

    Sweet Finishing Sauce for Brisket

    Easy brisket marinade

    John Madden / Getty Images

    If you need a quick and easy barbecue sauce for brisket, this is the one. You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen. The great thing about this barbecue sauce is that while it has a sweet flavor so it doesn't overpower the flavor you have spent so much time developing in your smoked brisket.

  • 03 of 10

    Central Texas Barbecue Dip

    Brisket temperature check

    Photo Regarding BBQ Inc.

    This is a classic central Texas barbecue sauce; it may seem a little strange by modern standards, but this is the way brisket sauces were made in the early days of Texas Barbecue. The flavors enhance but do not overpower the smoked meat, making this the purists answer to the perfect brisket.

  • 04 of 10

    Brisket Barbecue Sauce

    Herb and chili smoked brisket

    Photo from Regarding BBQ Inc

    Another classic barbecue brisket sauce that is loaded with savory and sweet flavors with just a hint of heat. This sauce combines the old central Texas sauces with more modern mixtures, making it a thick and rich sauce that is perfect poured over a brisket sandwich. 

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

    Barbecue brisket

     

    NadzeyaPhoto / Getty Images 

    This variation of the traditional Kansas City BBQ Sauce is a thick sweet sauce with a touch of heat and vinegar to give it a little kick. so is a perfect brisket sauce for those who want to slather it on think. While spicy, you can adjust the heat by adjusting the cayenne.

  • 06 of 10

    Hickory Barbecue Sauce

    Smoked sangria beef brisket

    Lauri Patterson / Getty Images

    Where most of the barbecue sauces that are so good on smoked brisket are thick and heavy on the tomato, this is a thinner sauce with a tart flavor. If you want to stay away from the sweet, then this is a great sauce to try. While the liquid smoke used in this recipe is optional, it is a great way to add some extra smoke flavor to your barbecue brisket.

  • 07 of 10

    Mumbo Sauce

    mumbo or mambo sauce with chicken wings
    Diana Rattray

    A Washington, D.C. favorite, mumbo sauce is a tangy ketchup barbecue sauce that's great on everything. It's thinner texture makes it good for marinating or dipping, and it adds tons of flavor to chicken wings, beef, pork, and more. Cook up extra and store it in your fridge for enjoyment later.

  • 08 of 10

    Walter Jetton's Barbecue Sauce

    Walter Jetton was President Johnson's favorite caterer and pitmaster. Jetton prepared his barbecue, Texas-style of course, for some of the most important people of the 1960's. This classic style barbecue sauce starts with a stock and is perfect for brisket giving it a barbecue flavor from long ago. It is interesting to point out that Texas-style barbecue sauces evolved from something we today would call gravy.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Red Pepper Sauce

    Sliced brisket

    sf_foodphoto / Getty Images

    This barbecue sauce kicks up the heat. Use this hot and spicy barbecue sauce on brisket only if you are brave enough. Let your guests decide just how brave they are, but you should have a milder sauce ready for those who are not so brave.

  • 10 of 10

    Cajun Barbecue Sauce

    Brisket sandwich

    Photo from Regarding BBQ Inc.

    Tart and spicy, this brisket sauce has a rich citrus flavor that lifts up the smoke of the meat and makes for an incredible combination of flavors. Make this sauce a day in advance, or at least when the brisket hits the smoker so that the flavors can blend to perfection.Â