Quick Summary
Yes, you can absolutely use BBQ sauce on a Blackstone griddle. The Blackstone griddle is designed for cooking with a wide variety of ingredients, including sauces like BBQ sauce. When used properly, BBQ sauce can add great flavor to meats, vegetables, and other foods cooked on the Blackstone. The key is applying the BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking to avoid burning. As long as you follow some basic tips, using BBQ sauce on a Blackstone griddle can take your cooking to the next level.
What is a Blackstone Griddle?
A Blackstone griddle is a flat-top grill made by the Blackstone company. Blackstone griddles are designed for outdoor cooking and feature a large flat cooking surface made from cold rolled steel.
Here are some key features of the Blackstone griddle:
- Large cooking area – Ranges from 17 inches square up to 36 inches square, depending on the model
- Flat-top design – Allows for direct contact cooking of foods
- Cold rolled steel construction – Retains and distributes heat evenly
- Propane-powered – Uses liquid propane fuel for cooking
- Easy to control temperature – Adjustable burners allow cooking at different temps
- Portable – Many models have wheels for mobility
- Durable – Powder coated steel prevents rusting
The flat cooking surface provides ample room for cooking burgers, steaks, vegetables, and other foods for a crowd. And the steel retains heat well for optimal searing.
Is BBQ Sauce Safe to Use on a Blackstone Griddle?
Yes, BBQ sauce is generally safe to use on a Blackstone griddle. BBQ sauce is composed mostly of tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, spices, and salt. None of these ingredients on their own pose any risk to cooking on a Blackstone when used properly.
The main concern when using BBQ sauce is the sugar content. Sugary sauces like BBQ have the potential to burn quickly on a hot griddle surface. As long as you apply the BBQ sauce towards the end of the cooking time and keep an eye on it, you should have no issues with burning or damage to your griddle.
So feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce to add sticky, sweet, smoky flavors to burgers, chicken, steak, shrimp, veggies, and more. Just follow the tips below for best results.
How to Cook with BBQ Sauce on a Blackstone Griddle
Here are some tips for successfully using BBQ sauce on a Blackstone griddle:
1. Cook foods first before adding sauce
It’s best to sear, grill or cook your meats, veggies or other foods through 80-90% on the Blackstone before brushing on BBQ sauce. This allows the food to cook thoroughly and avoids burning the sauce.
2. Use sauce sparingly
You don’t need a lot of sauce to infuse food with flavor. Brush on the BBQ sauce lightly, just enough to coat the top surface of the food. Too much sauce will make a mess and increase chances of burning.
3. Wait until the end of cooking
Only add sauce during the last 1-2 minutes on the griddle. This prevents burning from extended exposure to the hot cooking surface. The sauce will have enough time to heat through and caramelize slightly.
4. Keep sauce bottles away from heat
Don’t place plastic sauce bottles directly on the hot griddle surface. Keep them on a side table or shelf away from direct heat so the bottles don’t melt or deform.
5. Use a sauce mop or brush
Use a basting brush, mop, or spoon to spread sauce evenly over the food. This gives more control and minimizes mess. Don’t pour directly from the bottle.
6. Combine sauce + low heat
If adding sauce at the end, turn the griddle to low heat. This prevents the sugar in the sauce from scorching before the food is finished cooking.
7. Watch closely as sauce cooks
When adding any sugary sauce, keep a close eye on it as it cooks. Remove food immediately if sauce starts to blacken or burn. This prevents damage to food and griddle top.
8. Clean griddle thoroughly after
Once done cooking with sauce, clean the griddle top well to remove any sticky residue. Allow the griddle to cool, then use a non-abrasive scrub pad and hot water to scrape off any remaining charred bits of sauce.
Best BBQ Sauces for Blackstone Cooking
You have lots of options when it comes to choosing a BBQ sauce to use on the Blackstone griddle. Here are some of the best styles and flavor varieties to consider:
| BBQ Sauce | Why It’s Great for Blackstone Cooking |
|---|---|
| Sweet and tangy sauces | The touch of sweet balances nicely with Blackstone sear. Go for sauces like Sweet Baby Ray’s or KC Masterpiece. |
| Bold spicy sauces | The Blackstone’s heat pairs well with spicy flavors. Try sauces like Frank’s Red Hot or Tabasco. |
| Kansas City-style | Adds tomatoey, molasses flavors. KC Masterpiece is a top choice. |
| Smoky barbecue sauces | Deep smoky flavors complement grill seared foods. Try Stubbs or other Texas-style sauces. |
| Memphis-style sauces | Offer a nice blend of savory, sweet and spice. |
| Vinegar-based Carolina sauces | Tangy vinegar sauces pair great with Blackstone pork dishes. |
| Fruit-infused sauces | Fruity flavors like peach, raspberry or mango work well. Try Stubb’s fruit infused sauces. |
The possibilities are endless when pairing sauces with different Blackstone griddle recipes. Have fun experimenting to find your favorite combinations.
Best Foods to Put BBQ Sauce On
While you can use BBQ sauce on just about anything cooked on the Blackstone griddle, it’s especially great on these foods:
– Burgers
A classic! Use your favorite bbq sauce to top off bacon cheeseburgers, sliders, stuffed burgers or any other burger combinations.
– Chicken breasts, legs or wings
Bone-in or boneless chicken gets an instant boost of flavor from a good bbq sauce glaze.
– Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone beef, pork or lamb ribs are ideal for slathering in thick, sticky sauce.
– Smoked sausage or hot dogs
BBQ sauce adds sweetness to balance out the smoky spice and saltiness.
– Steak
A dash of sauce right at the end gives steaks like NY strip, ribeye or tri-tip a nice lacquered finish.
– Pork chops
The rich taste of pork is made complete with a spread of your favorite barbecue sauce.
– Salmon
Brush on a light coating of fruity bbq sauce to bring out salmon’s flavor.
– Shrimp
Tacos, skewers, or grilled shrimp all benefit from a sauce upgrade.
– Veggies like onions, peppers, zucchini
Roasted veggies caramelize beautifully when hit with a splash of sauce.
Whatever you cook on the flat top griddle, bbq sauce makes for a quick, tasty condiment.
Tips for the Best Results
To get the most out of using barbecue sauce on your Blackstone griddle, keep these additional tips in mind:
– Opt for thick, sticky sauce – Thinner sauces will burn more quickly.
– Mix sauce + melted butter or oil for a coating that adheres better to food.
– Sauces with some sweetness help counter the char of the griddle.
– Use lots of sauce on tough meats like ribs or brisket. Less on delicate foods like fish or shrimp.
– For chicken wings, coat them in sauce then finish on the griddle for crispy edges.
– Grilled fruit like pineapple, peaches or mango work great with fruity sauces.
– Combine different sauce flavors to make unique blends.
– Let sauce cook into food for deeper flavor rather than just coating the top.
– Add spices to sauce for your own signature flavor like chipotle BBQ.
– Purchase sauce in squeeze bottles for easiest griddle application.
Taking the time to add sauce can really make your Blackstone meals go from boring to bold.
Side Dishes to Serve with BBQ Sauce
Of course you’ll want some classic BBQ side dishes to serve alongside anything you douse in sauce on the Blackstone griddle. Here are some great options:
Baked Beans
Smoky, sweet baked beans are one of the best complements to saucy BBQ dishes.
Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad cools the palate after something fiery and sticky.
Coleslaw
A crisp, vinegary slaw balances rich bbq flavor.
Mac and Cheese
Ooey-gooey mac and cheese soaks up extra sauce beautifully.
Corn on the Cob
Grilled sweet corn is a perfect partner for saucy meats or veggies.
Cornbread
Warm buttery cornbread is ideal for mopping up extra sauce.
Watermelon Slices
Juicy watermelon provides relief from sauce’s heat and sweetness.
Dinner Rolls
Soft rolls are great sauce-delivery devices.
Pairing the right sides with your sauced Blackstone dishes lets you build a full plate of barbecue flavors. Don’t be afraid to serve up classic BBQ side items family style.
Cleanup Tips
While BBQ sauce adds lots of flavor, it can also leave behind a sticky mess on your griddle. Here are some tips for easy cleanup:
– Use a plastic scraper or spatula while sauce is still warm to remove residue.
– Spray or wipe with vinegar to help cut through stubborn sauce.
– Pour hot water on cooking surface to loosen and dissolve any remaining sauce.
– For burnt on sauce, mix baking soda and water into a paste and spread on griddle. Let sit then scrub.
– Allow griddle to fully cool before cleaning to avoid burning yourself.
– Scrub with a non-abrasive pad in circular motions. Avoid steel wool or abrasive tools.
– Rinse griddle thoroughly after cleaning. Wipe dry to prevent rusting.
– Re-season griddle after each use to maintain nonstick properties.
Taking a minute for a thorough scrub after saucing will keep your Blackstone looking its best for many cookouts to come.
Safety Tips
Barbecue sauce might seem harmless, but it’s important to keep safety in mind when cooking with BBQ sauce on the Blackstone griddle:
– Use caution when handling sauce bottles near the hot griddle.
– Never leave BBQ sauce unattended during cooking as sugars can burn quickly.
– Be careful of splatters from oil and sauce mixtures.
– Wear protective mitts or gloves when basting sauce onto hot foods.
– Keep children and pets away from the griddle during use to avoid accidental burns.
– Make sure sauce is heated through before serving to eliminate bacteria.
– Throw away any sauce bottles that have been contaminated by contact with raw meat juices.
– Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator. Discard if mold develops.
Exercising reasonable care will let you focus on BBQ sauce’s amazing flavors, not potential risks.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using BBQ sauce on a Blackstone griddle:
What’s the best temperature to cook BBQ sauce on a Blackstone?
Use a lower heat between 300-350°F when adding sauce at the end to avoid burning. Any hotter may scorch the sugars in the sauce.
Can I use homemade BBQ sauce on my Blackstone?
Definitely! Homemade sauce lets you control flavors. Just follow same tips for using pre-made sauce.
Does acidic BBQ sauce damage the Blackstone surface?
Small amounts of tomato-based sauce are fine. Avoid excessive exposure to acidic ingredients which can degrade the metal over time.
Should I coat meat in sauce before cooking or wait until the end?
Wait until fully cooked before saucing. Pre-saucing can lead to charring and difficulty getting a good sear.
What’s the easiest way to apply BBQ sauce on the Blackstone?
Use a basting brush or silicone mop for controlled sauce application. Avoid dumping directly from the bottle.
How long does it take to cook sauce on a Blackstone griddle?
Only 1-2 minutes is needed once foods are already cooked through. Extended cook times result in burning.
Can I use sugary sauces like teriyaki on a Blackstone?
Yes, just follow the same rules – apply teriyaki glazes at the end over lower heat to incorporate flavor without burning.
Following the guidance in this article will have you saucing your Blackstone dishes like a pro in no time. Now get outside and start grilling!
Conclusion
Using BBQ sauce on a Blackstone griddle opens up a whole new realm of flavor possibilities. The sauce adds sweet, smoky, spicy excitement to classic griddle foods like burgers, chicken, steaks, shrimp and veggies. As long as you follow a few simple rules like waiting until the end of cooking to apply sauce over low heat, you can avoid potential pitfalls like burning. Employ safe practices when handling sauce near the hot griddle surface. And be diligent about cleaning up sauce residue after cooking to keep your griddle looking its best. With so many sauce varieties to pick from, the flavor combinations are endless. Fire up the Blackstone griddle and get ready to make your next meal finger-lickin’ good with your favorite barbecue sauce!