Backyard barbecue season is rapidly approaching, and the market already is brimming with bold, new sauce flavors and varieties out this spring and late last year.
Here’s a quick roundup of new products hitting store shelves as backyard chefs get ready for another year of outdoor cooking.
McCormick and Mission BBQ
McCormick has partnered with restaurant chain Mission BBQ to release a line of four varieties – Mission BBQ Memphis Belle, Mission BBQ Blue Ridge Smoky Mountain, Mission BBQ Texas Twang and Mission BBQ KC Classic – mirroring the restaurant chain’s existing sauce lineup.
“Bringing our classic American barbeque flavors to more people than ever is an exciting next step for Mission BBQ,” said Steve Newton, co-founder at Mission BBQ. “Partnering with another Maryland-based company – and world-renowned flavor house, McCormick – makes this collaboration even more special. Together, we’re sharing our bold sauces with barbecue lovers across our country.”
McCormick announced in mid-March that the sauces are rolling out this month online and at stores across the nation.
Spam and Bachan’s
Another collaboration comes from Spam and Bachan’s, which released its limited-edition Spam Japanese Barbecue Sauce in early March.
The umami-flavored sauce was inspired by fans, according to Spam parent company Hormel Foods.
“We are so excited for this partnership because both of our brands are rooted in family, tradition and flavors that bring people together. It’s a pairing that just makes sense,” said Justin Gill, founder and CEO of Bachan’s. “I grew up eating the Spam brand in my household, whether it was a quick musubi after school with friends or fried rice during the week with family.”
The limited-time sauces hit Walmart store shelves in the second week of March and are available while supplies last.
Bali-inspired swicy sauces from Big Tree Farms
Big Tree Farms released what it referred to as a “disruptor sauce” last fall with its Naughty Bali BBQ Sauce at Sprouts Farmers Market and Publix locations.
“After more than two decades of quietly introducing Americans to the vibrant flavors of Bali through its umami-rich organic Coconut Aminos Marinades & Sauces and Regenerative Organic Certified Coconut Sweeteners, the brand is ready to get loud – and a little naughty,” the company said. “Forget the sticky-sweet, soy-heavy sauces of the past, consumers are chasing swicy – the flavor collision of sweet-meets-spicy redefining US food culture.”
Swicy is in, according to Big Tree. The company noted that a NCSolutions survey revealed that 74% of US adults are eager to test swicy flavors.
The swicy formulations include three varieties: Not-So-Naughty, Original Naughty and Oh-So-Naughty – all are built on a base of organic nira, or coconut blossom nectar, according to Big Tree.
“The barbecue aisle has been on repeat for decades: too much sugar, too much soy and not enough imagination,” said Ben Ripple, founder and CEO of Big Tree Farms. “Our Naughty Bali BBQ sauces break the cycle with disruptive, swicy flavors built on clean, organic ingredients – true tree-to-table. No compromises, no junk – just Bali in a bottle.”
