Barbecue sauces, dips, and glazes are a quintessential part of your summertime picnic spread. They enhance existing flavors by adding depth, complexity, and unexpected flavor surprises. They add moisture and tenderness and can balance or contrast the fattiness or smokiness of your meats. They also add a visual appeal, creating a glossy and caramelized coating that will make any mouth water. Sauces might be the game-changer to bring your customers’ BBQs to new heights.
If you are in the business of producing sauces, dips, and glazes, our team of flavor experts will ensure your product is top of mind throughout the grilling season and beyond. Since 1980, Northwest Naturals has specialized in nutritious, natural juice concentrates, fruit essences, WONF juice blends, and turnkey liquid fruit solutions. We know the science of how to create delicious applications. We know how to take existing applications and transform them into elevated experiences, and we know how to create brand-new show-stopping food and drink products from scratch, thanks to our R&D team.
Regardless of your industry, if you have flavor goals, Northwest Naturals will help you reach them! Although for today, let us zero in and dive into the unsung heroes of the summer BBQ: sauces, dips, and glazes.
Balance Your BBQ Meats with Fruit!
Using fruits in sauces and glazes can add a fresh and vibrant quality, especially when your meats are heavy, rich, and fatty. Certain fruits like pineapple, mango, and citrus can tenderize the meat and complement their flavor profile. Here are a few fruity recommendations to enhance your sauces:
- Orange juice: It will add a tangy sweetness to chicken and pork. Use it in dips like an orange-infused salsa.
- Pineapple juice: Use it in Asian-inspired dishes, such as sweet and sour chicken or teriyaki glaze for shrimp and salmon.
- Cranberry juice: Cranberries may take your mind to Christmas time, but the juice has a slightly tart and tangy flavor that compliments roasted beef, and wonderfully adds a unique twist to barbecue sauces for turkey or duck.
- Pomegranate juice: Use this rich, slightly sweet fruit for Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. You won’t regret it!
Tips on Pairing Sauces with Your Proteins
Pairing is all about balance, so consider the protein your customers might be working with and its flavor profile. For example, pork works well with crisp and subtly sweet fruits like apples, pears, and apricots, while we can compliment chicken with stronger, tangier flavors like citrus, cranberry, and mango.
But be aware that sweet, fruity sauces can sometimes be too sweet. To maintain balance, try incorporating acidity or heat. If a dish is too sweet, add citrus, vinegar, or tart fruits. If you desire to lean more on the spicy side, layer savory ingredients like soy sauce and garlic over cayenne pepper or chili flakes. It will create depth and contrast in addition to a more dynamic flavor profile.
We also encourage you to be creative! Experiment, and do not be afraid to try unconventional combinations. Incorporate herbs, heat, and salt into fruity sauces to add complexity, and you might just hit the flavor your customers never knew they needed.
Application inspiration of popular meats and complimentary sauces:
- Grilled chicken with mango salsa
- Ham with pineapple
- Pork tenderloin with apple cider glaze
- Roast duck with orange sauce
- Salmon with lemon dill sauce
- Barbecue ribs with a cherry barbecue sauce
- Beef stir fry with teriyaki pineapple sauce
Common Mistakes When Creating Sauce Applications
Although we encourage you to get creative, we also want to advise you of a few common mistakes so you do not waste time and money when creating your next best seller.
Firstly, ignoring the intensity of flavors could result in sauces, dips, and glasses that are too strong or unbalanced. Note that different fruits have varying levels of intensity. For example, citrus or berries have potent and concentrated flavors, while other fruits are milder. Consider the potency of the fruit juice and adjust the quantity to your desired amount so the sauce does not overpower your main ingredients.
Another common mistake is not adapting to seasonal fruits. It may lead to a lackluster flavor as your end result. The flavor of fruit juice can vary depending on the quality of the fruit and its growing season, so it is imperative to understand where your juices are coming from and adjust your products accordingly. Northwest Naturals is here to help you with this process!
Lastly, be careful when balancing sugar content. Fruit juices bring a natural sweetness, so balance it with other flavors by incorporating acidity, savory elements, and maybe even heat. This will prevent your sauces, dips, and glazes from becoming too sweet or lacking in dimension or dynamism.
Bonus: Tips on Sauces for Sweet Treats
We have been focusing on sauces, dips, and glazes for savory meats and barbecue proteins, but there is a place for these products in the world of sweets. Incorporating fruit into sweet sauces can add a fresh and delicious touch to desserts and enhance their flavors. You can create fruity sauces with strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and even pineapple and coconut. Drizzle them atop cheesecakes, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, pound cakes, and bread pudding. Use them to fill crepes or layer them in cakes and fruit tarts. The possibilities are deliciously endless!
Application inspiration of desserts and complimentary sauces:
- Churros with mango sauce
- Chocolate brownies with raspberry syrup
- Apple pie with a salted caramel
- Angel food cake with a citrus glaze
- Vanilla ice cream with caramelized banana sauce
- Pound cake with a mixed berry glaze
Let’s create something great together!
It isn’t too late to get started on your next summertime bestseller! Whether creating the next best mango syrup on the market or crafting the new sweet cherry BBQ marinade, we love providing the best flavors and the perfect solutions for our clients any time of the year. So, are you looking to bring your application to life? Contact us or request a sample today!