At our house, the grill isn’t just for summer—it’s a year-round essential. Sure, burgers are a staple, but we love throwing everything on the flames, from fish and steaks to chicken and veggies. What is the easiest way to amp up the flavor? A great sauce.
These Costco grilling sauces are serious game-changers.
We’ve stocked up on these sauces countless times during our weekly Costco runs, and they never disappoint. Keep reading to discover the best grilling sauces, how to use them, and how to make every bite packed with flavor—because bland chicken isn’t an option.
Best Costco Sauces for Grilling
Best Sauce for Chicken, Shrimp, and More — Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce
If you’ve ever walked past this sauce without grabbing a bottle, you’re missing out. Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce has a cult following for a reason—Redditors rave about it, and we do too! It’s thinner than your typical BBQ sauce but delivers a bold, salty, slightly smoky flavor that works on just about everything. Want more details? Check out our full review.
🧂 Flavor Profile: Salty, Smoky
⭐ Best For: Chicken, Shrimp
🍽️ Recipe: Bachan Stir-Fry
💲Price: $9.99 for 34 ounces
Best Standard BBQ Sauce For Grilling — Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
This Kansas City-style sauce is a grocery store staple, topping best-of lists from Chowhound and Serious Eats. It’s thick, sweet, and tangy—the perfect sauce for ribs, pulled pork, or anything else that needs a caramelized BBQ glaze. Outside the grill, it’s also fantastic with premade pulled pork and burnt ends. Bonus: Costco’s price is unbeatable at just 8 cents per ounce (compared to 13 cents per ounce at the grocery store).
🧂 Flavor Profile: Sweet, Tangy
⭐ Best For: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Chicken, Shrimp
🍽️ Recipe: Once Upon A Chef’s BBQ Chicken – The perfect balance of marinade and sauce for tender, flavorful chicken.
💲Price: $6.79 for two 40-ounce bottles
Or try this Slow Cooker Short Rib Recipe:
Robin’s BBQ Short Ribs in the Slow Cooker
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. Beef Short Ribs
- 1 Large Onion Chopped
- 1 Handful Baby Carrots Coarsely Chopped
- 1/4 Cup Flour
- 1 Cup Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1 Tbsp. Yellow Mustard (Like French's)
Instructions
- Place the ribs in a slow cooker and top with onions and carrots. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour them over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours).
- Remove ribs and cover to keep warm. Skim excess fat from the sauce, return ribs to the slow cooker, and stir gently to coat.
- Pro tip: Make these a day ahead and refrigerate overnight—skimming solidified fat makes cleanup easy!
Best Sauce For Grilling With Some Heat — Frank’s Red Hot
The slogan says you can put this **** on everything—and that definitely includes BBQ. While grilled wings are an obvious choice, this vinegary, mildly spicy hot sauce (450 Scoville units) shines in a homemade buffalo-style BBQ sauce.
🧂 Flavor Profile: A little spicy, Tangy
⭐ Best For: Pulled Pork, Chicken, Cauliflower
🍽️ Recipe: Buffalo Barbecue Sauce – Try it on BBQ chicken or pulled pork for a fiery twist.
💲Price: $9.69 for 50 ounces
Best For Dipping — Peter Luger’s Steak Sauce
Unlike the others on this list, Peter Luger’s Steak Sauce is found in Costco’s refrigerated section. It’s the same sauce served at the legendary steakhouse—thinner than Sweet Baby Ray’s, less sweet, and packed with tangy flavor. While not the most versatile sauce, it’s a fantastic dip for steak and other grilled meats.
🧂 Flavor Profile: Tangy, Slightly Vinegary
⭐ Best For: Steak
🍽️ Recipe: Serious Eats’ Guide to Grilling Steak – A step-by-step tutorial for cooking every cut to perfection.
💲Price: $6.59 for 24 ounces
Best Marinade For Grilling — Kikkoman Soy Sauce
Soy sauce isn’t just for stir-fries—it’s a secret weapon for grilling. Thanks to its high acidity, it makes an excellent marinade, breaking down tough cuts of meat while adding deep umami flavor. According to Fortune Business Insights, Kikkoman is one of the most popular soy sauce brands in the U.S., and for good reason.
🧂 Flavor Profile: Salty, Umami
⭐ Best For: Steak, Chicken, Shrimp
🍽️ Recipe: Alton Brown’s Soy-Marinated Skirt Steak – We always make this, and guests always rave about it. Can’t find skirt steak? Flank works just as well!
💲Price: $6.79 for 2 quarts
Grilling Sauces Overview
| Item | Flavor Profile | Uses | Price |
| Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce | Salty, Smoky | Chicken, Shrimp | $9.99 for 34 ounces |
| Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce | Sweet, Tangy | Ribs, Pulled Pork, Chicken, Shrimp | $6.79 for two 40-ounce bottles |
| Frank’s Red Hot | A Little Spicy, Tangy | Pulled Pork, Chicken, Cauliflower | $9.69 for 50 ounces |
| Peter Luger’s Steak Sauce | Tangy, Slightly Vinegary | Steak | $6.59 for 24 ounces |
| Kikkoman Soy Sauce | Salty, Umami | Steak, Chicken, Shrimp | $6.79 for 2 quarts |
Pro Tips for Grilling with Sauces
Grilling with sauces can take your BBQ to the next level, but timing and technique are key. Here’s how to make the most of your favorite sauces, whether marinating or finishing.
🔥 Watch the Sugar – Sauces with high sugar content, like Sweet Baby Ray’s, caramelize quickly and can burn if applied too early. For the best results, brush them on during the last five minutes of cooking.
🧂 Mind the Salt – Salt-heavy sauces like Kikkoman Soy Sauce are best used as marinades. The salt helps break down proteins, tenderize meat, and infuse flavor. Just be careful not to marinate for too long, especially with delicate cuts like seafood, so the texture stays just right.
🌡️ Layer the Flavor – Start with thinner sauces (like Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce) as a marinade, and finish with bolder, thicker sauces (like Sweet Baby Ray’s) for a perfect glaze.
🔥 Keep It Indirect—If you’re working with a sugary or thick sauce, use indirect heat to prevent burning while still achieving that rich, caramelized finish.
Want to experiment? Brush Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo BBQ Sauce on your wings in the final minutes for a tangy, spicy kick, or use Peter Luger’s Steak Sauce as a post-grill dip for bold, steakhouse-style flavor.
Master these simple tips; your grilled meals will be packed with flavor every time!
Conclusion
A great sauce can transform your grilling from good to unforgettable with minimal effort. Hopefully, these picks inspire you to try something new and add bold flavors to your next cookout. Do you have a favorite Costco sauce for grilling? Share your go-to picks and how you use them in the comments—we’d love to hear!
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