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Bull's Eye Original Barbecue Sauce
- Robust flavor
- Thick consistency
- Easy to find in stores
- No high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives
- Inexpensive
- Gourmet brands get better ratings
- Some reviewers prefer other supermarket brands
Among supermarket shelf BBQ sauce brands, Bull's Eye Original Barbecue Sauce is a perennial favorite with many reviewers, who especially like the fact that it no longer contains high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Brian Henderson, creator of the popular website BBQ Sauce Reviews, names Bull's Eye Original as an old favorite dating back to high school days, and says that its smoky/sweet flavor ties in well with its scent of onions, garlic and molasses. "It just tastes great," he adds -- although he notes that he hasn't yet tried the non-HFCS Bull's Eye, which has since replaced the old Bull's Eye and is now on the market instead.
Foodie site Serious Eats chooses Bull's Eye Original (in a tie with Trader Joe's Bold & Smoky) as the best Kansas City-style (sweet) sauce, with its walloping blend of acidity, smokiness and heat, and its dollop of molasses (although some tasters think it's a bit too sweet). While many reviewers prefer Sweet Baby Ray's Original barbecue sauce (*Est. $5 for 18 oz.) as their favorite supermarket brand, it's more expensive than Bull's Eye, and still contains the controversial high-fructose corn syrup, which many consumers are trying to avoid. Bull's Eye also contains no preservatives.
| Bull's Eye Original Barbecue Sauce 18 oz | |
(1 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
Created by BBQ guru Brian Henderson, this popular site reviews a wide range of more than 100 gourmet and supermarket brand BBQ sauces, rating each one on a scale of one to five. Bull's Eye, Henderson says, is an old favorite which "just tastes great" thanks to its sweet and smoky flavor, tied in with its scent of onion, garlic and molasses. However, Henderson adds that he hasn't yet tried the non-HFCS Bull's Eye BBQ sauce, which has replaced the old formula.
Review: Ratings of the Best Barbecue Sauces, Brian Henderson, May 24, 2011
Serious Eats tests 16 national brands of barbecue sauce and chooses several favorites, categorizing them as either spicy/vinegary or sweet, Kansas City style. Bull's Eye Original ties (with Trader Joe's Bold & Smoky) as best KC style, with its walloping blend of acidity, smokiness and heat, and its dollop of molasses (although some tasters think it's a bit too sweet).
Review: Taste Test: Barbecue Sauce, Erin Zimmer, May 13, 2011
3. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Cook's Illustrated assembles a panel of 21 experts to taste eight national brands (including Bull's Eye), slurped straight out of the bottle or broiled on chicken. Panelists end up preferring the sweetest sauces -- which leads to a discussion as to whether or not high-fructose corn syrup should be included in bottled sauces. Bottom line? Homemade BBQ sauce is not only quick and easy, but always better.
Review: The Sweeter the Better -- As Long As Molasses is in the Mix, Editors of Cook's Illustrated, Aug. 1, 2009
4. Helium.com
In this review of popular BBQ sauces, Helium contributor Charlotte Mielziner chooses several favorites, including Bull's Eye, which she calls a "workhorse" brand that will suit any palate or dish.
Review: Best Store-Bought Barbecue Sauce, Charlotte Mielziner, Aug. 22, 2010
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