From Reutlingen to Tennessee: World's Best BBQ Sauce Comes from Germany

Barbecue – for many in the US, it’s more than just cooking; it’s a way of life. So it’s all the more surprising when the best BBQ sauce in the world suddenly comes from the southwest of Germany. More precisely: from Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg.

There, a team called "Black Forrest" produces the sauce that took first place at the renowned “Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue” in Tennessee.

A Knightly Honor at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship

The world championship in Tennessee is one of the most prestigious BBQ competitions worldwide. Only select teams are even allowed to participate. Alongside meat, sides, and technique, the competition also awards a prize for the best sauce – and in this category, the entry from Baden-Württemberg beat out over 80 competitors.

What the Winning Sauce Tastes Like

The award-winning sauce stands out with its balanced blend of sweetness and spice – true to the classic Southern US flavor. It starts off with a fruity apple-cherry-plum note on the tip of the tongue, then develops a savory heat that tingles on the palate. According to the jury: a true “flavor explosion in the mouth.” The exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret – what is known: the base is a tomato purée, refined with 20 different spices.

Borderless Flavor

Whether you’re grilling in Tennessee or in your backyard in Baden-Württemberg – great taste knows no borders.

And who would’ve thought a sauce from Reutlingen could capture the BBQ heart of America? Maybe the future of barbecue lies exactly where you’d least expect it.