How Much Sugar Is in BBQ Sauce?
Two tablespoons of BBQ sauce have about 13 g of added sugar — closer to dessert syrup than a savoury condiment.
in 2 tbsp (36 g) · about 3.1 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 13 g
- Per 100 g
- 36 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 3.1 tsp
Fine in a portion — worth keeping an eye on.
Two tablespoons of barbecue sauce — a light brushing on a burger or ribs — carries about 13 g of added sugar, at 36 g per 100 g. That's more concentrated than ketchup, because BBQ sauce leans on brown sugar or molasses to build its dark, sticky glaze.
A generous basting brush or a rack of ribs 'wet' with sauce can easily use 4–6 tablespoons, turning a savoury dinner into 25–40 g of added sugar without a dessert in sight. Reading the label — or choosing a vinegar- or mustard-based sauce — cuts that dramatically.
Lower-sugar swaps
- A vinegar-based or mustard-based BBQ sauce, which use far less sugar
- A dry spice rub instead of a sweet glaze
Frequently asked questions
- Is BBQ sauce sugarier than ketchup?
- Yes, by weight — BBQ sauce runs about 36 g of sugar per 100 g versus ketchup's roughly 22 g, because it's built on brown sugar or molasses.
- How much sugar is in a serving of ribs with BBQ sauce?
- It adds up fast — a heavily basted rack can carry 25–40 g of added sugar from the sauce alone, on top of anything else on the plate.
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Sugar values from Typical nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-09.