What Are the Ingredients in Stubbs BBQ Sauce?

October 26, 2025 •

2 min read

Did you know the founder of Stubb's, C.B. Stubblefield, used to bottle his homemade sauce in old bourbon bottles? Uncover exactly what are the ingredients in Stubbs BBQ sauce that create its iconic, real Texas flavor.

Quick Summary

This article details the core ingredients found in several popular Stubb's BBQ sauce varieties, including the Original, Sweet Heat, and Smokey Mesquite flavors.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The base of most Stubb's sauces includes tomato puree, distilled vinegar, molasses, and sugar.
No High-Fructose Corn Syrup: Stubb's sauces are known for using real sugar and molasses instead of high-fructose corn syrup, and are certified gluten-free.
Flavor Variations: Different varieties, like Sweet Heat and Smokey Mesquite, use specific ingredients such as chipotle puree and natural mesquite smoke flavor to create unique profiles.
Real Bourbon: The Hickory Bourbon sauce contains actual bourbon, adding a deep, caramel flavor profile.
Savory & Tangy: A blend of spices, onion, and garlic, combined with distilled or apple cider vinegar, provides the savory and tangy balance in each sauce.

The Core Components of Stubb's Original BBQ Sauce

Stubb's Original BBQ sauce features a robust tomato puree base. Key ingredients include distilled vinegar for tang, a blend of sugar and molasses for sweetness, and spices like black pepper, paprika, and chili pepper for depth and subtle heat. Natural flavor, including hickory smoke, provides authentic Texas barbecue notes. Dehydrated onion and garlic enhance the savory profile, while guar gum and xanthan gum are used for texture.

A Comparison of Popular Stubb's BBQ Sauce Flavors

Stubb's offers a range of flavors, each with distinct ingredients. The table below highlights the key differences across four popular varieties.


Flavor	Sweetening Agents	Flavor Enhancers	Heat Source	Texture Agents
Original	Sugar, Molasses, Brown Sugar	Spices (Pepper, Paprika), Natural Flavor, Hickory Smoke	Chili Pepper, Black Pepper	Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum
Sweet Heat	Molasses, Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar	Chipotle Puree, Spices, Apple Cider Vinegar	Chipotle Chili Pepper, Red Chile Flakes	Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum
Smokey Mesquite	Sugar, Molasses, Brown Sugar, Honey	Natural Mesquite Smoke Flavor, Spices	Red Pepper	Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum
Hickory Bourbon	Sugar, Molasses	Bourbon, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor, Spices	Red Pepper	Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum

The Role of Key Flavor Additions

Sweet Heat: The Chipotle Kick

The Sweet Heat sauce incorporates chipotle puree, adding a smoky heat from smoked jalapeños, and uses apple cider vinegar for a different tang. Extra sugar balances the heat.

Smokey Mesquite: A Deeper Smoke

This variant features natural mesquite smoke flavor, offering a bolder profile than the hickory smoke in the Original. Honey is also added for sweetness.

Hickory Bourbon: A Spirited Addition

Real bourbon in the Hickory Bourbon sauce provides a rich, caramel complexity that pairs well with the sweetness and smoke flavors, creating a sophisticated profile.

Stubb's Commitment to Quality Ingredients

Stubb's prioritizes real, natural ingredients and avoids high-fructose corn syrup. Many sauces are certified gluten-free. This focus on quality reflects founder C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield’s philosophy of making sauces with “Love and Happiness”.

Conclusion

Stubb's BBQ sauces are built on a foundation of tomato puree, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Each flavor variation, like Sweet Heat with chipotle or Smokey Mesquite with mesquite smoke, offers a unique profile while maintaining the brand's commitment to quality ingredients, including no high-fructose corn syrup. The range provides a versatile option for various grilling preferences. For more details, consult product information on the McCormick website.

McCormick Stubb's BBQ Sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many of Stubb's BBQ sauces are certified gluten-free, including the Original, Sweet Heat, and Smokey Mesquite varieties.

The tangy flavor comes from distilled vinegar in the Original, and apple cider vinegar in some other flavors like Sweet Heat. This acidity balances the sweetness and cuts through the richness of the meat.

Stubb's uses 'Natural Flavor,' which includes real smoke flavor. For example, the Smokey Mesquite sauce uses 'natural mesquite smoke flavor' to achieve its distinct taste.

No, Stubb's is known for using real sugars like molasses, brown sugar, and cane sugar, with no high-fructose corn syrup.

The heat in Stubb's Sweet Heat sauce comes from a chipotle chile puree and red chile flakes, which provide a smoky and distinct heat profile.

Yes, the ingredient list for Stubb's Hickory Bourbon sauce explicitly lists bourbon as a key ingredient.

The primary difference lies in the smoke flavor. While Original has a balanced, hickory smoke flavor, Smokey Mesquite uses a distinct natural mesquite smoke flavor for a bolder, Texas-style profile.