Trader Joe's Bold and Smoky Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

[Tiger]

Does anyone else think this is the best barbeque sauce you ever had? I usually think of using prepared sauce as cheating but this stuff is as good as any recipe I've ever made.
It's my "summer discovery" :) When using it I always put extra on my plate for dipping.
My only fear is that it claims to be this year's TJ's winner. I hope it's not something that they will replace next year. :confused: Better stock up!

[heavy hedonist]

It is really good. I make my own sauces too, but there are a few you don't even need to doctor. I love Buffalo Wild Wings (chain restaurant, don't know if you have it) Smoky Southwestern Sauce, i use it on fries and a hundred other things. MMMM. TJ's does tend to get you hooked on a product and then jerk it off the shelves, though. i miss the marinated peppers, $1.49 a jar, I threw them into a million things to add perk.

[KimKelly]

It's one of the only bbq sauces I use now. Make a fabulous Grilled Chicken BBQ Pizza!!!

Kim

[irishspy]

That is good bbq sauce. And, since I like it, that guarantees TJ's will stop carrying it at some point. (That always seems to happen to me there. :mad: )

[HealthyinMN]

That is good bbq sauce. And, since I like it, that guarantees TJ's will stop carrying it at some point. (That always seems to happen to me there. :mad: )

We love it here too and agree on the BBQ chicken pizza!

I know what you mean - once we find something we love there it gets discontinued. Grr!

[CL addict]

Thanks, Tiger, for mentioning this. I shop TJ's all the time, but don't ever look at prepared BBQ sauces. I will definitely check this out. (Then, if I find out I like it, you can be sure it won't stick around at TJ's! :p ) I love that store so much, but can't figure out why they do that with popular products. Maybe something to do with suppliers?

Jeanette

[Tiger]

Jeanette,
From reading the bottle I did get the impression that every year they pick a favorite sauce and this happens to be this years. That's why I was wondering if they will continue carrying it or come out with a new one next year. My TJ's has been around for only a year so I'm just not sure how it works. :confused:

[KimKelly]

Speaking of TJ's... have you guys tried the Carne Asada? It is fantastic! I just purchased 5 packages of it to freeze, just in case they call is seasonal. We just throw it on the grill and serve it with tortillas, guacamole... and whatever else we have on hand. This Carne Asada is really flavorful and very tender.

K

PS... I really love these new editing features!!

[mbrogier]

I just bought some today! I have to be careful about sauces because of my allergies, but this sauce didn't have apple cider vinegar so it is ok. I don't do as much BBQ things because you have to plan enough in advance to make a sauce.

[acginkc]

I am curious about this sauce. Is is thick, thin, spicy, sweet, or something completely differnt?

We don't have a Trader Joes here :( (though I check their site religiously to see if one is coming). Living in KC all my life, I can vouch for our BBQ, it is pretty darn good. I am just curious which sauce they are basing it off of.

Everyone here has there own fave, mine is a tie between Gates and Oklahoma Joes. If they discontinue it or anyone would like some of our local varieties, just let me know. And if you head this way there are so many different ones to try. YUMMY!!

[CL addict]

I guess if I like it I'll buy a couple of extra, in case I don't like next year's.
I wonder who it is that chooses each year's favorite???

acginkc, it would be hard to know which sauce they base it from. Trader Joe's agreement with suppliers is that they won't reveal their sources. (I read that in one of their recent fearless flier ads). They just bottle it up and put a TJ's label on it, and for all we know it could be a national brand name, or one that's really from your fair city. :)

[mbrogier]

I haven't tried this sauce yet. I liked the sauce that TJ's put on its heat and serve ribs, and I hope this is similar.

ACG--I've not been to KC, and I don't know that the KC style bbq I've had is authentic. I'm from Eastern NC, and I know what it's like to hear of "authentic" NC style sauces and it not be the real deal or worse--WESTERN NC sauce. :D ;)

[wallycat]

I am curious if there is high fructose corn syrup in it.
I'm ready for a TJ's run, so maybe I will check it out.

[CL addict]

Tiger, thanks once again for the tip! I bought some of this today, and it is just right for me! I was afraid my TJ's might not have it, since they always emphasize that not every store has every product. But there it was, and at a great price, too. :D

acginkc,
I would describe the taste as, of course, bold and very smoky, as the name indicates, and also very tangy and not very sweet. (Perfect for me--hate the too sweet ones.) Consistency is about average, but thicker than some of the cheaper bottled versions.

Ingredients: Tomato puree (water, tomato paste), sugar, molasses, distilled vinegar, salt, cornstarch, spices, onion and garlic powder, natural hickory smoke flavor, caramel color, natural flavors.
No preservatives, no artificial flavors.
2 Tbsp = 70 cals, 430 mg sodium, 16g carb, 14g sugars

So match that up with one in KC, in case TJ's discontinues. :p

Jeanette

[memartha]

Based on this thread, I bought 2 bottles today. I've never had it. I think I'll try to make a BBQ chicken pizza over the weekend. Thanks for the tip.

[Tiger]

Tiger, thanks once again for the tip! I bought some of this today, and it is just right for me!

I'm glad you like it too Jeanette! :D I was thinking since I'm recommending it so highly that I hope others like it as much as me. But TJ's did vote it their favorite this year so I guess I'm not alone.
And if people keep buying it maybe they're keep it on the shelves! ;)

BTW- my friend was over the other night just as we finished dinner and she was saying how good it smelled. She said it had a strong "smoky" smell. I didn't realized I liked "smoky" but I guess I do.