Three Little Pigs Kansas City Competition BBQ Sauce

There is no denying that this is one of the most successful barbecue sauces on the competition circuit. With 8 American Royal Championships, these sauces have been bringing home the trophies for Chris Marks and the Three Little Pigs competition team for two decades. Despite all the renown, these are a classic tomato based sauce starting with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, seasonings, and smoke. It is the balance of flavors that is the genius of this sauce. Thick enough to stay put, thin enough to pour, even when cold.

All in all the flavor of these sauces are conservative. But the balance of sweet (sugars), sour (vinegar and Worcestershire sauce), heat, spicy (cayenne mash) and smoke make them simply perfect.

A sweet and sugary aroma fills the nose on first whiff of this sauce, keeping with barbecue competition standards. There’s a bright tomato ketchup base along with an upfront, but not too strong, molasses component. Vinegar adds a contrasting tang, but it’s light compared to the sweetness that dominates overall. After taking in a few more whiffs of the sauce, a garlicky undertone starts to make itself known, as well as a depth that clearly comes from Worcestershire.