James River BBQ Sauce Alternative

[DudeAbides2]

Hello All. We are looking for a BBQ sauce recipe similar to that of Smithfield's James River. Thanks

 

[mr_whipple]

I'm unaware of such a sauce. Just looked it up.

 

[chef k-dude]

That's a bit specific. I had never heard of it either and I'm in Central Virginia not that far from the James River. Looking at the ingredients, there is nothing groundbreaking in it. Tamarind is the only flavor that isn't in basically every standard issue BBQ sauce on the market.

Hard for people to help if they have zero experience with that sauce. Must be pretty sweet with the sugar listed before the tomato paste. Sweet Baby Rays original is always a safe go-to if you like it sweet. I learned watching Wilbur Hardee years ago that you can take any store-brand generic BBQ sauce and cut it with cider vinegar and some generic store-brand hot sauce and people will rave about it. When I want an easy button BBQ sauce (I usually make all of my own, sugar free), I cut SBR's with ACV and Texas Pete. Eyeball it. If you like it sickeningly sweet, dont cut it.

I have had a lot of BBQ sauces. Most are overpriced and hyped and not outstandingly better than another. Just my opinion of course, other people love their favorite and will spend through the nose to get it.

Good luck!

 

[DudeAbides2]

Hello All. We are looking for a BBQ sauce recipe similar to that of Smithfield's James River. Thanks

I appreciate the follow up. The sauce is very popular up here (North of Boston, Ma) as it is an essential ingredient in our 3Way Roast Beefs. I am looking to replicate this sauce!!

 

[Fueling Around]

No help on the sauce

Welcome to SMF from the MN / ND border

 

[DudeAbides2]

No help on the sauce

Welcome to SMF from the MN / ND border

Thanks John E. Much Appreciated!!

 

[BigW.]

Lot going on that 3-way sandwich. So you want to make your own as opposed to buying it? Here is a copycat. Looks like there are several out there on google.

https://spicestoryteller.com/crafting-the-perfect-tangy-james-river-bbq-sauce-recipe/

 

[DudeAbides2]

Lot going on that 3-way sandwich. So you want to make your own as opposed to buying it? Here is a copycat. Looks like there are several out there on google.

https://spicestoryteller.com/crafting-the-perfect-tangy-james-river-bbq-sauce-recipe/

Thanks for the insight. Yes, I have seen this one as well as a few others. Tried a few of the recipes but it seems like the versions of the sauce without Tamarind are a long way off!!

The sandwich is off the charts and the BBQ sauce really ties it all together!!

 

[chef k-dude]

I read that when I was looking around. I thought it was strange a Virginia BBQ sauce would be a big thing in MA but there it is. I suppose its a Virginia product by its name.

Have you compared it to Arby's sauce by any chance? Obviously so far no one here has a clue what its supposed to taste like. I love me an Arby's roast beef with their sauce and the horseradish sauce...no other chain has that flavor.

I notice their web site doesn't have a way to order right now but looks like Amazon has it. If you are trying to make it yourself, a side by side comparison is best. That's how I nailed Chic fil a sauce. Got some of their sauce then started with a copycat that just wasn't quite there, looked at other copycats and began to tweak. It can take several batch attempts and to the level it is scalable you can make like 1/4 batches until its close. Go get you some tamarind extract (pretty expensive) and play with it.

I messed with tamarind for a bit, I think it was something Thai inspired. I found it to be not worth the effort personally, but I was using paste.

 

[normanaj]

Literally found a couple dozen knock offs on the web first search.

Nothing special about the three-way,sliced roast beef on a roll with James River brand BBQ sauce.

 

[DudeAbides2]

Thanks for your input. I hope you have an opportunity to try one. Amazing sandwiches but just like with BBQ or most anything else have to prepared correctly!

 

[oshi85]

I was on this search several months ago. I ended up purchasing a bottle from Amazon to try out. My first thought was it tasted like Arby’s sauce. So I went to the grocery store and bought a bottle of Arby’s sauce to compare. It’s very similar but if you grew up on James River sauce it might not hit the nostalgia for you. If you’ve never had James River, Arby’s sauce is close enough. I won’t buy another bottle from Amazon.

 

[evvo]

James River Bbq Sauce Recipe

Master the art of crafting your own James River BBQ Sauce—a harmonious blend of tanginess and sweetness, complemented by subtle smokiness.

commandame.com

That is a fairly decent clone. I cut the brown sugar by half so it's not as overwhelmingly sweet, but you also have to cut the vinegar or it will be too strong due to the reduced sugar.
Be careful about the webpage, there are 2 recipes. The one in the text is for something else (it has soy sauce in it).
Scroll further down to the embedded recipe page (with the "print recipe" button). That's the one you want.

 

[DudeAbides2]

James River Bbq Sauce Recipe

Master the art of crafting your own James River BBQ Sauce—a harmonious blend of tanginess and sweetness, complemented by subtle smokiness.

commandame.com

That is a fairly decent clone. I cut the brown sugar by half so it's not as overwhelmingly sweet, but you also have to cut the vinegar or it will be too strong due to the reduced sugar.
Be careful about the webpage, there are 2 recipes. The one in the text is for something else (it has soy sauce in it).
Scroll further down to the embedded recipe page (with the "print recipe" button). That's the one you want.

Thanks very much for the insight! I will give this a go over the weekend and report back. Stay Tuned!

 

[nomoreusmc]

That style of BBQ sauce is pretty easy. Ketchup, brown sugar (a lot), dehydrated onion, and white vinegar and simmer on low till it's the right color.