Before I worked for Rocklands, I thought barbeque WAS the sauce. I know now that it’s about the cooking process. Low and slow and full of smokey flavor. If it’s done right, as Rocklands does, you don’t need a sauce. The natural flavors of the meat shine through.
However, there are times when you want a little sweetness, a little tang, a little heat.
Again, Rocklands does it right with their sauces. We aren’t there to hide what the pit does, we’re there to make the most of it.
We like to think of our sauce lineup as a flavor spectrum. On one end, you’ll find the mellow, sweet-and-smoky notes that hug the meat close. On the other, there’s a spark of citrus or a flash of spice that wakes up your palate.
Every sauce we make has a purpose, and every bottle is built to work with our barbeque, not against it. Today, we’re inviting you on a tasting journey through our four core sauces so you can find your favorite (or, like us, discover you need more than one).
Mapping the Flavor Spectrum
You might be wondering: How do these different sauces actually elevate barbeque? How do we go from a simple slab of ribs or a smoked sausage to something crave-worthy? It all comes down to the care we put into the flavors and the pairings we suggest.
Our Philosophy: Quality Over Corn Syrup
First things first: you won’t find high-fructose corn syrup in our bottles. We’re particular about what goes in. Every ingredient has to pull its weight. It’s a balancing act between acidity, sweetness, and heat. Too much of one, and the sauce overpowers the meat. Too little, and it fades into the background. We taste, tweak, and taste again, always with the goal of making the sauce a partner to the barbeque, not a mask.
Sweet and Smoky Barbeque Sauce
Our sweet and smokey sauce starts with a rich tomato base, sweetened with a touch of honey and molasses, then brightened by a splash of tangy cider vinegar. Smoky undertones from liquid smoke mingle with warm spices, black pepper, and a hint of garlic, creating a bold flavor that lingers just long enough to make you crave another bite.
Original Barbeque Sauce
Rocklands Original Barbeque Sauce packs a punch of tangy flavor, bursting with slow-cooked onions and a bright splash of vinegar. This one is my favorite!
It strikes the perfect balance, never cloying, just a hint of brown sugar to round things out.
Whether you’re vegetarian or gluten-free, you’ll want this sauce at every meal.
This is the same crave-worthy sauce you can’t get enough of at ROCKLANDS. Bring a bottle home and pour it over everything! Smoky pork, juicy beef, flaky fish, or a pile of roasted veggies. It’ll make anything taste like a backyard feast.
Citrus Sauce
Every sauce lineup needs a wildcard, and the Citrus Sauce is ours. We start with a bright base of lemon and orange, then add apricot for subtle sweetness and jalapeño for a pinch of heat. It’s lively, and it makes seafood and poultry sing. We love brushing it onto shrimp or drizzling it over grilled chicken. When you want barbeque that feels fresh and just a little unexpected, reach for the Citrus Sauce.
Spicy Mustard Barbeque Sauce
Inspired by regional favorites, our Spicy Mustard Barbeque Sauce brings a bold kick. We combine prepared mustard with cider vinegar, cayenne, and chili powder for a sauce that’s sharp, punchy, and just right for smoked sausages or brisket. There’s nothing shy about it—it’s the one we recommend to friends who say they want “something with attitude.”
Global Warming Tamarind Chipotle Hot Sauce
Rocklands Global Warming Sauce brings a bright spot to rising temperatures.
It’s got the smoky heat of chipotles and a tangy kick from tamarind, just the thing to keep on your table for grilled meats, casseroles, or even your morning eggs. It’s gluten-free and made with quality ingredients, so you can feel good about pouring it on just about anything.
The Pitmaster’s Perspective
I asked the owner, John Snedden, to share a bit about the sauce line. Because every bottle has a story.
Q: How did the Citrus sauce come about?
A: Originally, I created that as a “finishing sauce” for spare ribs, when we were in competitions (1980’s). It caramelizes readily on a hot grill, is naturally sweet w/o added sugar, adds a more complex flavor profile and also visually really had a beautiful look being “shiny” and charred when serving to judges. We’ve used it in a number of specials through the years and is a great finishing sauce or a delicious dipping sauce.
Q: What’s the most underrated pairing?
A: People overlook the Spicy Mustard on brisket, but the way it cuts through the fat is unreal. Try it once, trust us.
Q: How do you decide which sauce to use in the restaurant?
A: When deciding on sauces, really always flavor driven and trying to deliver the tastiest bite, for our guests. It’s a progressing process as we become aware of new products and how to best cook and present for a delicious bite. Our team also has a lot of input and suggestions as our BBQ journey continues.
For Home Cooks: Bringing It All Home
You don’t have to visit us in person to get your hands on these sauces. All four are available in our restaurants and online. If you’re feeling adventurous, we encourage you to blend them, try mixing Sweet & Smoky with Citrus for a sticky-sweet glaze, or Original with Spicy Mustard for a tangy kick.
Quick Grilling Tip
Apply sauces toward the end of cooking, especially those with sugar, to avoid burning. You want the sauce to glaze and caramelize, not char. Brush it on in the last few minutes, and watch for those glossy, sticky results.
The Final Note
We’re dedicated to making every barbeque meal memorable, from the wood we burn, to the meat we smoke, and the sauces we serve. If you usually stick to just one sauce, we hope this guide inspires you to explore the full spectrum.
Next time you’re at Rocklands location (or grilling at home), experiment, mix, and savor every bite. Our sauces are here to help you find your perfect barbeque moment.
Shop Our Sauces
We are thrilled to offer nationwide shipping, bringing the bold and distinctive flavors of Rocklands directly to your doorstep. Now, no matter where you are in the country, you can experience the joy of creating restaurant-quality meals with the ease and convenience of our artisanal sauces and rubs.
