Baby Ray's

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sharptailhunter

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 29, 2007
21
10
A few people have recommended that I get some Sweet Baby Ray's as I'm looking to smoke some ribs which will end up with a sort of sweet glaze on em. What I DON'T want is a perfectly good rack of ribs that have been covered with some ubiquitous brand bbq sauce, i.e. Kraft, Stubbs, etc.

So, is this stuff what I should be looking for? If so, where can I get it... only online?

If anybody has any suggestions for what I can do other than the traditional mopping with apple juice/mix please feel free to steer me in the right direction.
 
IMO while sweet baby ray's is a decent bottled sauce, it is still a bottled sauce.

There are plenty of recipes to make your own that taste a lot better IMO.

Here is one I make a lot

1 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon of your favorite rub
1/2 cup vinegar
1 Tablespoon Worchestershore sauce

Mix ingredients together and heat to a simmer, then let cool.
 
sweet baby rays is a store bought sauce but far more supurb than the rest-they have different typs-I use it as a base,than add beer-some heat-etc.a little goes a long way.most large food stores carry it.not sure where u live but here in the west it's everywhere-I think if origanated in georgia
 
Don't know what part of the US you are from, but Sweet Baby Rays is at most larger food store in the Midwest (Cub, Pick n Save, Woodmans, etc). Also, if you have restaurants called Charcoal Grill in your area - can buy some there.

I came across a sauce - Mississippi BBQ Sauce - www.mississippibbq.com
The Sweet Apple (is pretty sweet) is different. But I mixed it with some Hickory sauce and turned out good!! I've been known to mix the last of the bottles and add some more stuff to taste
 
If you don't want to use pre-made, then make your own. This is a recipe I've been using for a while. Brush it on several times in the last hour and you'll have a nice thick sticky glaze:

GWF's Peach Rib Glaze
2 lb. can peaches, drained
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. Honey
2/3 c. catsup
2/3 c. cider vinegar
Dash pepper
4 tbsp. soy sauce
4 cloves garlic
2-3 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp Sesame Seeds (sometimes I use Sesame seed oil, but go light on it)

Mix together in a blender. I simmer over the stove on low for about an hour just to reduce it a bit and thicken it up. Then I coat on the ribs during the last hour as needed; usually about every 15 minutes. Very sweet and sticky; very asian.
 
Thanks for the replies, all those recipes sound great. I'm here in Idaho, should be able to find it somewhere out here. I went the first 30 years of my life not knowing what REAL que was like until I went to Kansas City for grad school. I was hooked then and still can't get enough of it. Unfortunately, we Idahoans only know potatoes and not que, so I now get to do it myself.

Thanks again for all the tips, you guys do know your stuff.
 
I'd recommend getting in touch with Jeff, the site owner, and purchasing his recipe for sauce and rub. It can't be beat, and is easily modified to suit your tastes. On top of that, your purchase helps support this site.

I'm glad I bought the recipe!
 
Man I will say I do love me some Sweet Baby Rays. Just something about it. Also, I am a Regional Meat Buyer for Whole Foods Market and we carry a brand called Austins Own. It is really some phenominal BBQ sauce. If you are ever in a WFM I reccomend getting a bottle of it. Pick up some meat to while you are at it .
icon_mrgreen.gif
You wont be dissapointed.
 
If I don't feel like making a glaze or sauce I'll do 5 parts KC masterpiece and 1 part Honey. It seems to satisfy the family.
 
I'm with iadubber. I'm not a fan of baby ray's, tastes too much like corn syrup to me. iadubber's recipe comes from BRITU and can be modified anyway you like. I like to add dry mustard to give it a little tang.
 
First, it originated in Chicago.
It's not bad sauce. I have used the Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ Sauce to glaze baby backs and it was very good. I know some comp. folks who use it the same way and have good results.
I do not buy or use KC Masterpiece. Sauce for the masses.
Sauce is subjective. It comes down to what YOU like. Others may (probably won't) not like what you like and WILL suggest what they like. You gotta please yourself.
 
This is a recipe I've been using for a while. Brush it on several times in the last hour and you'll have a nice thick sticky glaze:

GWF's Peach Rib Glaze
2 lb. can peaches, drained
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. Honey
2/3 c. catsup
2/3 c. cider vinegar
Dash pepper
4 tbsp. soy sauce
4 cloves garlic
2-3 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp Sesame Seeds (sometimes I use Sesame seed oil, but go light on it)

Mix together in a blender. I simmer over the stove on low for about an hour just to reduce it a bit and thicken it up. Then I coat on the ribs during the last hour as needed; usually about every 15 minutes. Very sweet and sticky; very asian.[/quote]

Thanks Geek! I've been looking for a good asian one. Point to you my man!
Jimbo
 
i also make my own now but if i have to use store bought i only baby rays spice bbq.
 
Another vote for Sweet Baby Rays. Wal*Mart has it (at least here). Another good store bought is Tony Roma's (they have 4 flavors, Carolina Honey is my favorite), which is a pretty good rib restaurant (you can also order from their website). Another good sauce is Calhouns Restaurant in Gatlinburg, TN (they specialize in ribs). You can order their sauce by calling 865-673-3400 x34. I have eaten there a couple of times and always bring back sauce for me and my father-in-law.
 
I get Sweet Baby Ray's by the gallon at Menards. Cut it with apple juice or cider and use it as a mop. Use it straight on pork and chicken, taste good.
Also use a recipe from a old deer hunting cook book thats pretty good too.
 
I would like to add that I make plenty of sauses-rubs -marinades etc-and in a pinch SB is a good tool to play with if time is not there.
 
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