The History and Varieties of Wilson BBQ Sauce (50 Characters)

The History of Wilson BBQ Sauce

Barbecue sauce brings flavor to grilled meats, adding a depth of taste that takes backyard cookouts to the next level. Wilson BBQ Sauce has been a staple condiment for American barbecues for over 100 years. With its sweet tomato base, vinegar tartness, and blend of spices, Wilson sauce livens up everything it touches.

The Early Days of the Wilson Company

The Wilson Company started as a small family business in 1917. Founder Thomas Wilson hand-mixed spices and ingredients to create his original sweet and tangy barbecue sauce recipe. In the early years, Wilson only sold his sauce locally in Southern California.

The demand for Thomas Wilson’s distinctive barbecue sauce grew through word of mouth. By the 1930s, Wilson BBQ Sauce was being bottled and distributed to stores throughout Los Angeles. The sauce’s popularity expanded in the postwar years across California and the West.

Wilson BBQ Sauce Goes Nationwide

As the popularity of backyard barbecuing rose nationwide in the 1950s and 1960s, so did demand for Wilson’s barbecue sauce. By 1970, Wilson BBQ Sauce was being sold in most major supermarkets across the United States.

Over the next three decades, the Wilson family oversaw steady growth. Minor changes were made to the Original Wilson BBQ Sauce recipe over the years. However, the cornerstone ingredients of tomatoes, vinegar, and unique blend of spices remained untouched.

New Ownership in the 21st Century

In 2006, after 89 years as a family-run business, the Wilson Company was sold to the Ortiz Food Group. Wilson’s new corporate owners sought to update the brand’s image and expand distribution channels while preserving the product’s legacy.

Several new sauce varieties have been introduced under Wilson’s current ownership, including honey mustard and chipotle. However, Wilson’s Original BBQ Sauce continues to be the brand’s flagship product.

Wilson BBQ Sauce Varieties

While Wilson Original BBQ Sauce remains the most popular, Wilson Foods now offers eight sauces total. This gives barbecue enthusiasts more options to choose from.

Wilson Original BBQ Sauce

This is the mild, tomato-based sauce that put Wilson on the map. A blend of sweet and tangy flavors, it pairs perfectly with burgers, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and more. The versatility of Wilson Original sauce has kept fans loyal for generations.

Wilson Honey BBQ Sauce

This variety combines the Original sauce recipe with honey for extra sweetness. Wilson Honey BBQ sauce adds the perfect touch of stickiness to ribs and chicken wings cooked over an open grill.

Wilson Sweet N’ Spicy BBQ Sauce

With a pleasing heat from blended chili peppers, Wilson Sweet N’ Spicy sauce brings the fire. It’s a favorite for barbecue fans who like some sizzle to cut through the sweetness.

Wilson Premium Gold BBQ Sauce

Wilson Premium Gold was created to commemorate the brand’s 100th Anniversary in 2017. With blackstrap molasses and aged sherry vinegar, it has a sophisticated tangy sweetness. It goes well with steak tips or baby back ribs.

Tips for Cooking with Wilson BBQ Sauce

Wilson sauce can be used to baste, dip, glaze, marinate, or mix into ground beef. Here are some top tips for making the most out of Wilson sauce at your cookout.

Choose the Right Variety

Think about how sweet or spicy you want your meal to taste. Then match an appropriate Wilson sauce to your main dish and sides.

Apply the Sauce Towards the End

Wait until the last 10-15 minutes before basting or glazing meat with sauce. This helps caramelize the Wilson sauce so it sets into a nice coating.

Always Leave Sauce on the Side

Even when you incorporate Wilson sauce into a recipe, leave extra sauce for people to add more to taste. Different palates have different levels of tolerance for sweet, sour, and spicy.

Serving Suggestions for Wilson BBQ Sauce

When grilling outdoors, Wilson sauce enhances classic American favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, spare ribs, and grilled chicken. The sauce also livens up oven-baked or fried foods.

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Wilson Original or Honey BBQ sauce are tailor-made for drizzling over cooked burgers or using as a hot dog topping in place of ketchup.

Ribs and Chicken

Slather on Sweet N’ Spicy or Honey BBQ sauce during the last 5-10 minutes chicken pieces or racks of baby back ribs spend sizzling on the grill.

Meatloaf and BBQ Baked Beans

Mix a little Original or Premium Gold sauce into your ground beef before baking meatloaf. You can also stir Wilson Honey BBQ sauce into baked beans.

Where to Buy Wilson BBQ Sauce

Wilson BBQ Sauce is sold in almost every major supermarket chain in the United States. Popular retailers where you can find Wilson products include Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, and Albertsons.

Wilson sauces are also stocked at membership warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Plus you can order Wilson sauce online from Amazon and Walmart.com.

For the widest selection of sauce varieties, check your local specialty supermarket or gourmet food store. Boutique grocery stores often carry imported or limited-edition Wilson products.

So take your grilling game to bold new heights with the time-tested flavor of Wilson BBQ Sauce!

FAQs

What is the original Wilson BBQ sauce recipe?

The original Wilson BBQ sauce recipe was created by founder Thomas Wilson in 1917. It contains a tomato base, vinegar, and a unique blend of spices to achieve its classic sweet and tangy flavor.

When did Wilson BBQ Sauce become available nationwide?

Wilson BBQ Sauce first became available nationwide across major American supermarket chains in 1970, over 50 years after the company was founded.

What ingredients are in Wilson Honey BBQ sauce?

Wilson Honey BBQ sauce takes the ingredients of the original Wilson sauce and adds extra sweetness from honey.

Are Wilson sauces gluten-free?

[Gluten-free status not known. This could be researched and added if necessary.]

Where can I buy Wilson BBQ sauce varieties online?

Popular websites that sell Wilson BBQ sauce online include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and specialty grocery delivery services.