15+ Best Sauces for Ribs (BBQ Sauce Recipes

Wondering what the best sauces for ribs are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. From this classic barbecue sauce recipe to white sauce, and more.

Ribs + an Amazing Sauce = PERFECTION!

When serving ribs for dinner, there are 4 essentials:

  1. Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if saucy ribs are involved.
  2. Some really stellar side dishes for ribs.
  3. Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with barbecue.
  4. And, of course, a delicious sauce recipe!
Ribs being brushed with sauce on grill.

These are some of my favorite sauces to serve with spare ribs, smoked beef short ribs, and pork ribs. And the good news is they’re easy to make too!

So, skip the store-bought barbecue sauce, and try something new this barbecue season.

Pair your sauced up ribs with a with a couple rib side dishes, find a bottle of wine that’s perfect with BBQ ribsand you’re guaranteed an amazing meal!

Let’s dig in!

The BEST Sauces for Ribs

Hand holding jar of homemade bbq sauce
This Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipe is so easy!  Made in just 15-minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This southern sauce is delicious on brisketpork chopschicken, AND ribs.
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These Dr. Pepper Ribs are marinated, slowly baked in the oven and finished on the grill for that classic, crispy charred flavor.
Get the RECIPE from Simply Whisked
White bbq sauce in small jar with spoon.
This White BBQ Sauce is a rich and tangy twist on traditional barbecue sauce. Made with mayo, horseradish, and seasonings, the bold flavors pair perfectly with grilled meats and so much more!
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These St. Louis style ribs are marinated overnight in a spice rub, grilled until tender, and finished with homemade barbecue sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Leite’s Culinaria
These Lemon & Herb ribs are so tender they fall off the bone and are coated in a delicious herb & lemon juice marinade.
Get the RECIPE from Every Last Bite
These Chinese Sweet and Sour Ribs are packed with authentic flavors and are easy to make with only 8 ingredients, and can be made Paleo.
Get the RECIPE from Shuangy’s Kitchen Sink
BBQ Apple Cider Ribs are the ultimate juicy, meaty, and messy dinner. This recipe has a twist of apple cider, making them extra tender.
Get the RECIPE from Cake ’n Knife
Sticky, fork-tender Asian Garlic Sesame Baby Back Ribs. Juicy melt-in-your-mouth oven-baked wet back ribs are fall off the bone
Get the RECIPE from Swanky Recipes
Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ribs - Cooking TV Recipes
Kickstart your summer with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce Buffalo Ribs!
Get the RECIPE from cookingtv-channel.com
Soy Sauce Glazed Ribs. The Sichuan pepper infuses the ribs with a bright lemon flavor, the honey gives a sweetness and a sticky, glossy sauce consistency. As a result, the ribs feel like they’re covered in hot caramel. 
Get the RECIPE from Bayevs Kitchen
10-Minute Sweet & Tangy Maple BBQ Sauce | This flavorful vegan, gluten-free sauce comes together with just 10 ingredients + a super speedy simmer!
Get the RECIPE from Blissful Basil
Spicy BBQ Sauce. This bbq sauce recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy with jalapeno peppers, bourbon and honey. It’s tangy and flavorful and great on anything. Fire up the grill!
Get the RECIPE from Chili Pepper Madness
That perfect blend of tang and spice: North Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce (aka Mustard BBQ Sauce). SO good on ribs and pulled pork.
Get the RECIPE from Basil and Bubbly
Easy Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Easy Kansas City BBQ Sauce. Sweet and slightly spicy homemade BBQ sauce has a classic flavor with a touch of heat.
Get the RECIPE from Vindulge
This Memphis BBQ Sauce is thinner and tangier than most barbecue sauces. Delicious on baby backs!
Get the RECIPE from Barefeet in the Kitchen
Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce. Perfect to use with smoked baby back ribs!
Get the RECIPE from Vindulge

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these rib sauce recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

How to Sauce Ribs

For the best results, according to the Kitchn, it’s best to sauce your ribs at the end of the cooking process, about 10-15 minutes before they’re done. Or, Amazing Ribs suggests that you can even sauce your ribs up to 30 minutes before they’re done if the cooking temperature is 225-degrees or lower.

After cooking, let the ribs rest on a piece of aluminum foil or a cutting board for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute and allow the sauce to soak in even further.

You can also simply grill your ribs with a dry rub and serve your BBQ sauce as a dipping sauce for the ribs.

More Sauce Recipes

What Side Goes Good with Ribs?

What Seasoning Goes Good on Ribs?

Did you Make Any of These Sauces for Ribs?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauce recipes for ribs Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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Ribs being brushed with sauce on grill.

15+ TASTY Sauces for Ribs

Wondering what the best sauces for ribs are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. For starters, try out this Homemade BBQ Sauce!  Made in just 15-minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
3.25 from 4 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water (or brisket drippings from sous vide)
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Stir together all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  • Add to your ribs about 10-15 minutes before they are finished cooking.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations:
  • Honey Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons honey.
  • Maple Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons maple syrup.
  • Smoky Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 teaspoons liquid smoke.
  • Spicy Barbecue Sauce: Add cayenne pepper, to taste.
  • Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: Add 1/4 cup bourbon before simmering.
  • Red Wine Barbecue Sauce:  Add 1/4 cup red wine before simmering (I love Pinot Noir or Zinfandel for this).
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 598IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Ribs being brushed with sauce

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