Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces really are tried-and-true favorites in households across the country. We just can’t get enough of it, whether it’s slathered on ribs, stirred into baked beans, or used as a dip that just never fails to delight the taste buds. However, if you are gluten intolerant you have probably wondered if these sauces are safe for you to eat. We’re happy to let you know that yes, most of them are.
However, it’s not quite as straightforward as that. Some products in the extensive Sweet Baby Ray’s lineup may contain gluten-containing grains. But don’t worry, ingredients like wheat, rye, or barley will always be clearly written on the ingredient list, so if you see those words, put that bottle back and find another one. To make it all even easier, Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces that don’t have gluten in them may also be labeled “gluten free” on the front of the bottle. However, this is only if they have met FDA standards and, as of the time of this article being written, the company is in the process of updating these labels. So the process of checking should become even easier in the near future.
However, even if a sauce looks safe from the bottle alone, it’s often good practice to contact the company directly if you’re in any way unsure, especially if your sensitivity is high. And if you would rather not risk it, making your own barbecue sauce is also an option, because after all, the perfect homemade barbecue sauce is all about customization.
Ways to enjoy Sweet Baby Ray’s while staying gluten-free
Now that you know how to pick the right bottle for your gluten-free requirements, we can get to the fun part — actually using the sauce! You could try the Sweet Baby Ray’s three-sauce blend that will make your chicken unforgettable, which will require you to mix your favorite gluten-free sauces to create a custom flavor that is 100% unique to your tastes. This DIY sauce variation is a treat on simple grilled chicken, mixed into shredded chicken, or as a glaze for spicy wings. You can even branch out and try it on other proteins, such as beef, pork, or tofu.
For a dinner you can throw on and forget about, an easy slow cooker pulled pork recipe is a simple way to highlight sauces from Sweet Baby Ray’s Original to Honey Barbecue, which you can enjoy on a gluten-free bun. Or if you don’t eat meat, it turns out the best meat alternative for BBQ is jackfruit. And if this has inspired you to fire up the grill, knowing when to add BBQ sauce onto meat so it doesn’t burn is going to change your grilling game.
There are a lot of flavors to try when it comes to the world of Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces. At Chowhound, we ranked 17 Sweet Baby Ray’s flavors to help you sort the “fantastics” from the “fines,” and that’s where you’ll find plenty of gluten-free options that can add serious smoky flavor to your meals, with no extra effort from you. Just remember to always double-check each bottle’s ingredient list since not every flavor is certified and labeled “gluten free” (not yet, anyway).
