World-Class Grilling: 6 BBQ Sauces from Around the Globe
Father’s Day isn’t just for ties and tools anymore; it’s an excuse to fire up the grill and take your tastebuds on a trip around the world. This year, we hosted a BBQ Sauce Tour of the World, featuring 6 BBQ Sauces from Around the Globe, and let Dad be the pitmaster of international flavor.
Whether you’re planning a Father’s Day feast, a birthday bash for the grill guy in your life, or just want to upgrade your own cookout routine, these 6 BBQ Sauces from Around the Globe will seriously change your game. Think of them as first-class tickets to bold flavor, no passport required.
Let’s check out the 6 BBQ Sauces from Around the Globe we created—each inspired by a country where grilling is culture, tradition, and community. From the smoky spice of Argentine chimichurri to the sweet, sticky heat of Korean gochujang, each sauce offers a whole new vibe for your grill.
Every country’s BBQ scene looks a little different—from Beijing alleyways to long-table Sunday lunches in the Portuguese countryside—but all of them are rooted in family and bringing people together over good food. With these 6 BBQ Sauces from Around the Globe, you can bring that same spirit to your own backyard.
Cuban Mojo BBQ Sauce
We suggest using with Pork, Grilled Shrimp
Pair it with a Mojito
Cuban cuisine celebrates citrus, spice, and that soulful slow roast. They are famous for their mojo sauce, usually used as a marinade. The backbone of this garlicky BBQ sauce is the mojo sauce and it is perfect with grilled pork or pulled pork sliders. Mojo marinades are usually made with sour orange juice, garlic and herbs and would normally marinate a whole pork shoulder before slow-roasting it over open coals. We suggest using this BBQ sauce to make a Cuban-style sandwich
Cuban Mojo BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 shallots, minced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp molasses
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Steps
1
Saute the shallots and garlic cloves in the olive oil until they are fragrant and softened.
2
Add the rest of the ingredients and cook until thickened.
3
Cool slightly and the blend until smooth.
Portuguese BBQ Sauce
We suggest using on Ribs or Chicken
Pair it with a glass of port and some crusty bread
Portugal is famous for its seafood, but inland, the grill is seriously respected. It is a rustic and romantic style; bold flavour and simple technique. This sauce is sticky, sweet and wine laced. Inspired by port wine and citrus groves, this BBQ sauce is layered, lush and next level on ribs or chicken thighs.
Portuguese BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup port (or red wine if that’s what you have)
- 1/2 cup cherry jam
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- zest and juice of 1 orange
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Steps
1
Saute the shallot and garlic cloves in the olive oil until soft.
2
Add the rest of the ingredients except the cornstarch. Simmer 10-15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick
3
Mix 2 tsp of cornstarch with 1 Tbsp of water and stir into sauce to thicken.
South African Monkey Gland Sauce
We suggest using on Steak or Lamb
Pair it with Cornmeal pap
The Braai in South Africa is serious business; it is not just a cooking method, it’s a way of life. Imagine big outdoor fires, wood smoke and a serious attitude about BBQ. I was very nervous when I first heard the name of this sauce but be assured there are no glands or monkeys involved. This is an iconic South African sauce that mixes sweet, tangy and smoky. It is popular across the country on their grilled meats.
Monkey Gland Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 1 cup mango chutney
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Steps
1
Saute onion in olive oil until golden.
2
Add the rest of the ingredients.
3
Simmer until thickened.
Beijing Asian BBQ Sauce
We Suggest using on Chicken
Pair it with a cold beer and Jasmine rice
Chinese BBQ isn’t the backyard variety; it’s bold and could be hanging in a window down a back alley. From Cantonese char siu pork to Peking duck China’s grilling culture is heavy on marinades and high heat roasting. Chinese BBQ sauce is glossy, and deeply flavourful and you can achieve a traditional flavour without the hanging in the window part.
Beijing Asian BBQ Sauce and Dry Rub
Ingredients
Asian Sauce
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 Tbsp sherry, sake, or rice wine
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 Tbsp dark sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dry Rub
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Chinese 5 spice
- 1/4 cup black pepper
Steps
1
Whisk together the sauce ingredients over medium heat and simmer 5-7 minutes.
2
Dry Rub: Mix together. Use on meat before using the sauce.
American Classic Cola BBQ Sauce
We suggest using on Ribs
Pair it with Mac & Cheese and a Bourbon Coke Float
Barbecue in America is practically a religion and the best part is it is still full of diversity. You can go to Memphis, Kansas City, Texas, or the Carolinas and the sauce and meat will change and opinions about BBQ will get heated. From Backyard bashes to BBQ joints this is an ideal American BBQ sauce for your ribs. The cola pays homage to southern cookouts.
Classic American Cola BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coke or Dr. Pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 3 Tbsp A-1 sauce
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Steps
1
Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and simmer until syrupy and thickened.
Italian Salsa Verde BBQ Sauce
We suggest using it on Seafood
Pair it with a crisp Pinot Grigio and a Fennel salad
Italy isn’t traditionally known for BBQ, but they do have a grigliata mista (mixed grill). It is an ensemble of seafood, vegetables and meats grilled over wood or charcoal. They finish it with olive oil, herbs and citrus. An Italian salsa verde is herb heavy and will shine on grilled fish shrimp and vegetables. This is a coastal cool BBQ sauce – bright, lemony, and fresh; it is drizzled perfectly over everything. Amalfi Coast on a plate.
Italian Salsa Verde BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped basil and mint, mixed
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup lemon juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Steps
1
Mix all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. You want this a little chunky. Don’t over blend.
Final Steps
Create great flag tags to attach to the jars of sauce to make them look polished and professional. Or if you’re using them at a party set the sauces out with mini chalkboard labels. Let your guests travel the world, bite by bite.
It would be fun to create a voting scorecard for your guests. See which one is the fan favourite.
Join the Conversation Below
Around the world BBQ sauces are great for Father’s Day, a birthday or your next backyard cookout. Let us know which one was your favourite.
