Best BBQ Sauce in the UK

Morrisons vs McDonald’s vs Harvester Taste Test

The Great British BBQ Sauce Showdown

Now wouldn't that be a great TV show? When it comes to BBQ sauce, everyone has their favourite; that sweet, smoky bottle that ends up on everything from burgers to chips. But which one really is the best BBQ sauce in the UK?

With so many well-known options on the high street, we put three of the most talked about high street sauces to the test, Morrisons, McDonald’s, and Harvester, alongside our very own Harrisons BBQ Sauce, made right here in the UK. This isn’t about ranking brands or critiquing ingredients, just an honest look at how each sauce delivers its flavour and which occasions they suit best.

Spoiler alert: the results were saucy, smoky, and a little surprising.

Morrisons BBQ Sauce: The Everyday Staple

Morrisons’ BBQ sauce is exactly what many people expect from a reliable supermarket staple. It’s sweet, lightly smoky, and easy to use across a range of quick meals. The texture is on the thinner side, which makes it simple to drizzle or brush onto burgers or sausages.

Flavour profile:

• Sweet forward

• Soft smoke

• Light tang

Best for:
Kids weeknight meals, dipping snacks, or adding a familiar BBQ taste to family dishes.

McDonald’s BBQ Sauce: The Iconic Dip

We all know it, that little brown pot of smoky sweetness that comes with your McNuggets. McDonald's BBQ sauce is designed to pair with fast-food favourites, so it delivers a bold hit of sweetness and tang straight away. It’s glossy, thick, and instantly recognisable in flavour, great for dipping fries, nuggets, or tossing through quick snacks.

Flavour profile:

• Tangy and sweet

• Strong upfront flavour

• Smooth, thick texture

Best for:
Dipping, snacking, and anyone who enjoys that iconic McDonald’s taste.

Harvester BBQ Sauce: The Pub Classic

Harvester’s BBQ sauce leans into that familiar restaurant style taste; smoky, slightly sticky and full of character. It’s more complex than the supermarket stuff, with balanced sweetness and a rounded finish, making it a good match for ribs, chicken, and BBQ-style sandwiches.

Flavour profile:

• Molasses-like sweetness

• Moderate smoke

• Smooth, glossy finish

Best for:
Ribs, wings, and dishes where you want that classic “pub glaze” style flavour.

Harrisons BBQ Sauce: The Real Deal

Now for the contender that’s quietly been converting BBQ lovers up and down the country. Harrisons BBQ Sauce isn’t just another bottle on the shelf, it’s a proper, British-made sauce crafted for cooks, not just diners.

Made with real tomatoes, spices, and natural smoke flavour, Harrisons takes everything you love about BBQ sauce and gives it depth. It’s thick, rich, and smoky with a little sharpness to cut through fatty meats, the kind of balance that makes it as good brushed over ribs as it is drizzled over chips.

What really sets it apart is how versatile it is. You can use it as:

• A marinade for chicken, ribs, or pulled pork.

• A base sauce for homemade pizzas or burgers.

• A dipping sauce that actually tastes homemade.

Flavour profile:

• Rounded sweetness from tomatoes

• Deep, warm smokiness

• A touch of fruit and spice for balance

Best for:
Marinades, glazing, BBQ dishes, burgers, chips, and anything that benefits from a richer BBQ taste.

Shop Harrisons BBQ Sauce Onlin

The Taste Test Results 

After a full round of tastings (and several napkins later), here’s how they stacked up:

There’s a reason our testers kept going back for “just one more dip.” Harrisons delivers that slow smoked flavour you normally only get from something made in small batches, not from a supermarket conveyor belt.

Each sauce has its own distinct purpose. Some are designed for dipping, some for glazing, some for quick meals, and some for deeper, slower-cooked flavour. Harrisons comes through strongest when you’re looking for a BBQ sauce that works across all of those uses, dipping, brushing, glazing, marinating, or serving on the table.

Why Harrisons Comes Out on Top

BBQ sauce shouldn’t taste synthetic. It should build a little tang, a hit of sweet smoke, and that warm, spiced finish that lingers long after the plate’s cleared.

That’s why we do things differently at Harrisons:

• Made in the UK with real ingredients and no shortcuts.

• Vegan, halal, and kosher certified, so everyone can enjoy it.

• No MSG or fillers - just bold, balanced flavour.

• Perfect for BBQ season or winter roasts - it’s proper year-round comfort food.

Harrisons isn’t trying to replace anyone’s long-time favourite, but it is built to be a reliable, flavourful option whether you’re firing up the grill or making a midweek traybake. It’s bold without being overpowering, smoky without being sharp, and sweet without feeling heavy.

It’s rich, smoky, and unapologetically bold, the kind of flavour that turns a midweek dinner into a proper occasion - there’s a BBQ sauce for every table. Shop Harrisons BBQ Sauce online now.