No BBQ sauce list would be complete without a nod to the classic American BBQ sauce, a mainstay at every U.S. summer cookout. This tomato-based sauce is a wonderful blend of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors, perfect for slathering on ribs or brushing onto grilled chicken.

Ingredients: Ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

While technically not a BBQ sauce, Argentina’s chimichurri brings a unique tangy, herbaceous flavor that’s perfect for grilled steak. This bright green sauce is fresh, tangy, and packed with parsley, cilantro, garlic, and vinegar.

Ingredients: Parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.

East meets grill in this sweet and savory BBQ sauce from Japan. Also known as “tare,” this soy-based sauce is used on grilled skewered meats, known as yakitori. It boasts a rich umami flavor with a hint of sweetness, perfect for basting chicken, pork, or beef.

Ingredients: Soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and fresh garlic.

Don’t let the name scare you; there are no monkey parts involved in this fruity, tangy, and slightly spicy BBQ sauce. Popular in South African cuisine, it brings an exotic flavor profile to grilled meats.

Ingredients: Onion, garlic, ginger, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, apricot preserves, water, and hot sauce.

Beer isn’t just for drinking down under; Australians love using it in their BBQ sauce too! This boozy sauce adds a unique depth of flavor to grilled meats and sausages, thanks to its tangy, sweet, and savory combination.

Ingredients: Lager beer, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Korean BBQ is famous worldwide, with gochujang sauce being a star player. This spicy, sweet, and savory sauce uses gochujang, a Korean chili paste, for a delightful kick that can liven up grilled chicken, pork, or beef.

Ingredients: Gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

From our Mexican neighbors comes a BBQ sauce infused with beer and smokey chipotle chilies. Salsa Borracha, or “drunken sauce,” adds a spicy and tangy taste to grilled meats, particularly beef.

Ingredients: Tomatoes, onions, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, Mexican beer, cilantro, salt, and pepper.

Jamaica’s jerk sauce is a powerhouse of flavors, hot and spicy with a hint of sweetness. This robust sauce, used famously in jerk chicken, gets its heat from Scotch bonnet peppers and its unique taste from a blend of spices and citrus.

Ingredients: Scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, garlic, fresh thyme, ground allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, and vegetable oil.

Salmoriglio, a traditional sauce from Southern Italy, adds a fresh and citrusy twist to grilled meats and fish. With its simple blend of lemon, garlic, herbs, and olive oil, it enhances the flavors without overpowering them.

Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano, fresh parsley, and salt.

Though not a traditional BBQ sauce, the Indian tandoori marinade adds a deliciously spiced and creamy flavor profile to grilled chicken, lamb, or paneer, thanks to its yogurt base and aromatic spices.

Ingredients: Yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, and salt.