Texas Pete BBQ Sauce

If you like your barbecue sauce with an attitude of bold, peppery, tangy, and unapologetically Southern, then you need to try Texas Pete BBQ sauce. It’s where hot sauce meets barbecue, and the result is pure magic.

This Texas Pete spicy BBQ sauce blends heat, smoke, and vinegar into a sauce that’s as good for basting as it is for dipping. You get the zing of a hot sauce and the depth of a slow-simmered barbecue blend, all in one.

In this article, I’ll show you how to make your own Texas Pete-style barbecue sauce at home.

So, let’s get started.

What Is Texas Pete BBQ Sauce?

Texas Pete BBQ sauce is a spicy, vinegar-based BBQ sauce. It combines the tangy kick of hot sauce with traditional barbecue flavor. 

Here, a significant difference from traditional BBQ condiments is that it’s thinner; thinner than sweet Kansas City sauces and packs more heat than your average Southern blend.

It’s also not like those sticky, sugary sauces. Texas Pete barbecue sauce is more about acidity and fire. It’s great for brushing on grilled meats, mixing into pulled pork, or just dipping your fried chicken. The flavor hits fast, then builds.

This sauce is especially popular with those who like bold barbecue flavor and prefer their sauces with more spice and less sugar.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make a hot sauce BBQ blend that mimics Texas Pete’s BBQ twist:

Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Use ¼ cup of Texas Pete hot sauce. This is your flavor base. It will bring heat, vinegar tang, and a signature taste.

Tip: Don’t substitute it. The balance of spice and vinegar is what makes this special.

Tomato Paste

Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste for body and umami depth. This gives the sauce structure without turning it into a thick ketchup-style base.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Use ⅓ cup. This keeps the sauce punchy and thin, perfect for brushing or mixing.

Brown Sugar

Add 1½ tablespoons to balance the acidity. Texas Pete sauces aren’t super sweet, but a little sugar smooths it out.

Worcestershire Sauce

1 tablespoon adds savory depth and that classic BBQ tang.

Garlic Powder

Use ½ teaspoon for warmth and base flavor.

Onion Powder

½ teaspoon adds extra depth without chunks.

Smoked Paprika

1 teaspoon gives the sauce a subtle smoky flavor to round out the vinegar and heat.

Mustard Powder

½ teaspoon enhances the tang and makes it taste more “Southern.”

Salt & Black Pepper

Start with ½ teaspoon of each and adjust to taste.

How to Make Texas Pete Spicy BBQ Sauce (5 Easy Steps)

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a small saucepan, mix Texas Pete hot sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until smooth.

Step 2: Add the Spices

Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 3: Simmer

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and let it cook for 10–12 minutes to meld the flavors.

Step 4: Adjust

Taste and adjust, add more sugar if it’s too acidic, more hot sauce if you want extra heat, or a splash of vinegar for more bite.

Step 5: Cool and Bottle

Let the sauce cool slightly, then transfer to a clean glass jar or squeeze bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Serving Suggestions

This Texas-style BBQ sauce with heat was built for the grill. But it’s just as good off the flames. Here’s where it shines:

Pulled Pork

Mix it right into the pork or serve it on the side. The vinegar cuts through the richness, and the spice wakes it all up.

Grilled Chicken

Brush it on the last few minutes of grilling. It clings to the skin, caramelizes slightly, and adds that hot and smoky BBQ sauce flavor.

Ribs

Use it as a finishing glaze. This isn’t a sticky rib sauce, it’s a punchy, peppery one that works great with dry-rubbed ribs.

BBQ Sandwiches

Layer it on pulled chicken, sliced brisket, or pork belly sandwiches for a spicy kick.

Wings or Drumsticks

Toss grilled or fried wings in this sauce for a BBQ hot sauce blend that brings both smoke and fire.

BBQ Tofu or Jackfruit

It’s not just for meat. This sauce turns grilled tofu or jackfruit into a fiery, plant-based crowd-pleaser.

Pro Tips

• Don’t boil it. A gentle simmer is all you need to blend the flavors.
• Want it thicker? Add another tablespoon of tomato paste or simmer a bit longer.
• Make it gluten-free. Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
• Make it keto-friendly. Swap brown sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like allulose or monk fruit.
• Double the batch. It keeps well and tastes even better the next day.

Conclusion

This Texas Pete grilling sauce is everything fans of bold BBQ want tangy, spicy, smoky, and full of personality. Whether you’re basting, dipping, or drizzling, this sauce makes anything on your plate taste more alive.

Forget bottled sauces packed with sugar and fillers. This spicy Texas Pete sauce gives you clean heat and Southern flavor in every spoonful.

FAQs

What Makes Texas Pete Bbq Sauce Spicy and Unique?

It combines the vinegar heat of hot sauce with a bold, smoky BBQ base. It’s thinner, tangier, and spicier than most traditional barbecue sauces.

Can You Cook With Texas Pete Bbq Sauce or Use It as a Dip?

Yes! It works great as a grilling glaze, a dip for wings or fries, or stirred into pulled pork or BBQ bowls. Just don’t overheat it apply near the end of grilling.

Is Texas Pete Bbq Sauce Gluten-free or Keto-friendly?

The base sauce can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free Worcestershire. For keto, substitute the brown sugar with a low-carb sweetener like monk fruit.

Can I Make This Sauce Ahead of Time?

Definitely. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The flavors deepen as it sits.

Is This a Vinegar-based Bbq Sauce?

Yes. It’s very much in the vinegar-based BBQ sauce family, with acidity and spice leading the flavor instead of sweetness.