12 Unexpected Uses for BBQ Sauces

If you’re a BBQ sauce lover, you can go above and beyond just using your favorite sauce on ribs or baked beans. From BBQ tofu to potato salad, there are so many unexpected ways to use BBQ sauce that will tempt your tastebuds and impress your friends. Check out these 12 unexpected uses for BBQ sauces for some much-needed inspiration:

While you have friends who might turn their noses up at even the thought of tofu, BBQ tofu will have them changing their minds. Grab some firm tofu (it’s the best for grilling since it won’t fall apart), drain out the liquid, cut it into cubes, and marinate it in your favorite sweet, smoky BBQ sauce. Grill it up, and before you know it, you’ll convert tofu haters into tofu enthusiasts! You can also pop the tofu in the oven at 400 ºF for 20 minutes. Serve it with all the traditional fixin’s: mac and cheese, coleslaw, and some sweet, crumbly cornbread for an “I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-meat” feast. 

When you’re tired of your same old chicken quesadillas with salsa and sour cream, add this smoky hickory BBQ sauce inside your quesadilla and you’ll experience a tantalizing blend of flavors. Go ahead and stock up on your favorite BBQ sauce—we have a feeling this recipe will have you using it up in no time.

Shake up your preferred picnic side dish and trade in the mayo base for a Mexican potato salad. Combine boiled red potatoes, cilantro, jalapenos, corn, and a smoky BBQ sauce. 

There’s a new way to enjoy pork with fruit-glazed pork chops! Pick up some chops, coat them with our magnificent mango BBQ sauce, and add ½ a cup of apricot preserves and grill them up. You’ll get to taste a combination of fruity and savory seasonings together. 

Life isn’t complete until you’ve swapped tomato sauce for BBQ sauce in this mouthwatering  BBQ chicken pizza recipe. Smother grilled chicken, mozz, and red onions in delectable BBQ sauce and bake the pizza to bubbly perfection. Don’t forget to add some scallions, cilantro, and smoky bacon bits on top too. Step aside, traditional cheese pizza, we’ve got a new favorite.

If you've never used BBQ sauce as a salad dressing, you don't know what you're missing. Grab your favorite BBQ sauce and whisk it together with olive oil and lemon for a barbecue-inspired vinaigrette. Or, add some BBQ sauce to ranch for a rich, smoky, creamy salad dressing. Pour your new dressing over leafy greens, tomatoes, and any other salad toppings. With a dressing this good, you might actually enjoy eating your leafy greens.

Reinvent your old appetizer meatballs. Buy them frozen or make them homemade and then soak them in this hot BBQ sauce with a few dashes of ketchup. Throw it all in your crock pot or saucepan and serve them as a classic appetizer for your next get-together.

BBQ sauce and enchiladas? Yes, please. Set aside your usual mole sauce and grab some of this deliciousness instead. Stuff tortillas with chicken, chiles, and cheese, then roll 'em up tightly, snuggle them up in a baking dish, and smother 'em with BBQ sauce. Bake them for 20–25 minutes at 350 ºF. Sprinkle on some cilantro, green onions, and cooked corn, and serve up these enchanting enchiladas on Taco (....er, Enchilada) Tuesday. 

Your mozzarella sticks, chips, breaded chicken tenders, fries, and other deep-fried favorites deserve a new dip to dive into. Use your favorite BBQ sauce as-is, or mix this fiery BBQ sauce with sour cream or greek yogurt for a creamy, spicy blend of flavors that will make this dip hard for you to stop dipping into.

We get it, BBQ chicken sandwiches are a staple, but maybe it’s time to try something different. Grilled or fried fish (tilapia, grouper, mahi mahi) on top of crisp coleslaw with a pinch of BBQ sauce might make this your new favorite sandwich.

Mashed potato enthusiasts—you’re going to love this. Boil some potatoes until those spuds are super-soft, smash them up, and then mix in salt, sour cream, milk, and butter. Now take them to the next level: Stir in some BBQ sauce (we love our Honey Habanero BBQ Sauce for this recipe) and top them off with scallions and shredded cheddar cheese.

We know what you’re thinking: BBQ sauce for dessert? No way—you’ve lost your marbles. We know it sounds crazy, but you’ve got to trust us on this one. Mix this sweet-yet-savory BBQ sauce with whipped cream, then drizzle it over grilled pineapple slices for an unexpected dessert.