What Sauces Does Famous Dave’s Have? Taste Test & Pairings
I’ve always been a sucker for spicy food. The hotter, the better, in my book. So when I first walked into a Famous Dave’s barbecue joint and saw their collection of fiery sauces, my taste buds started tingling in anticipation. If you like hot sauces too, check out this list of Famous Dave’s sauces below!
Famous Dave’s offers 11 sauces: Texas Pit, Sweet & Zesty, Sugar Free, Natural Sweet, Hot & Sassy, Honey Hickory, Georgia Mustard, Pineapple Rage, Rich & Sassy, and Devil’s Spit. The last two even have a Bloody Mary Mix version!
Famous Dave’s is especially famous for its assortment of BBQ sauces, and they’re all hot! All of these are designed to go especially well with meat fresh off the grill, so make sure you combine them appropriately. Grab some wet naps, fire up the grill, and let’s get saucy!
List of Famous Dave’s Sauces
In the following article, I’m going to take you behind the heat and share the stories, flavors, and secrets behind Famous Dave’s famous sauces.
Rich & Sassy: A Mild-Mannered Mix
The Rich & Sassy Sauce is my personal favorite. It packs a ton of flavor without too much heat, perfect for those who prefer a milder kick. It’s Dave’s original, and this family-secret sauce is the one with which it all began.
This sauce combines hand-picked spices and herbs to create a delicate, tasty addition to the food. The base is a sweet and tangy blend of molasses, honey, and tomato paste combined with brown sugar, garlic, and spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
You really can’t go wrong pairing the Rich & Sassy with any of our barbecued meats. It’s incredibly delicious on ribs, pulled pork, or brisket.
Many customers ask if they can replicate the Rich & Sassy at home. I wish I could share the exact recipe, but I’ll offer a few tips to get you close:
• Use molasses, honey, and brown sugar as the base for sweetness.
• Combine tomato paste, chili powder, garlic, and spices for a savory flavor.
• Start with less heat and add chili peppers or hot sauce gradually. It’s easier to make a sauce spicier than less spicy.
Rich & Sassy Bloody Mary Mix
This zesty tomato-based mixer packs a flavorful punch perfect for a spicy Bloody Mary. Made from a blend of tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and over 20 spices and seasonings, it has a robust, full-bodied flavor with parsley, spinach, and onion notes.
The blend of tomato, veggies, and spices also gives it an irresistible aroma your guests will love. For an extra special brunch, I like to garnish my Bloody Mary with celery, olives, lemon, and lime wedges. The tart and savory garnishes pair perfectly with the bold and vibrant flavor of the Rich & Sassy mix.
Devil’s Spit: A Sinful Level of Spice
Devil’s Spit is Famous Dave’s hottest and spiciest BBQ sauce. One taste of this fiery concoction instantly engulfs your mouth in flames. This sauce means business. Made from a blend of habanero and ghost peppers, Devil’s Spit sauce registers pretty high on the Scoville scale, a measure of spiciness.
The first time I tried Devil’s Spit sauce, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I generously slathered it on my ribs, took a big bite, and instantly regretted my decision. My mouth was on fire, my eyes started watering, and I frantically fanned my tongue to try and cool it off.
The flavor behind the heat is a blend of molasses, mustard, and vinegar with subtle hints of garlic and onion. But make no mistake; the peppers are the show’s star here. This sauce should come with a warning label for its sinfully spicy flavor.
Devil’s Spit Bloody Mary Mix
The Devil’s Spit sauce gets its name from its spicy kick that’ll have your taste buds doing backflips. Made from a blend of peppers like habanero, jalapeño, and chipotle, Devil’s Spit brings the fire without sacrificing flavor.
As the website states: Straight from Hell’s Kitchen, caution – may have aphrodisiac side effects!
A few drops add a pleasant warmth to soups, stews, and chili, but this blend really shines as a Bloody Mary mix. The peppery punch cuts through the tomato juice for a drink that’s anything but mild. The spice in this sauce builds slowly, so take it slow if you’re not used to the heat. But don’t worry; the flavor will keep you going back for more, even as the sweat starts to form! If the original Devil’s Spit doesn’t have enough of a kick for you, try the Double Devil’s Spit—double the peppers, double the heat.
Georgia Mustard
The tangy, spicy mustard base is not too overpowering but still packs a punch of heat. This sauce has a kick from horseradish and chili peppers, balanced with brown sugar, molasses, and honey for a hint of sweetness. The blend of spices gives it a robust, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with pulled pork, ribs, or a juicy burger.
Although I can’t share Famous Dave’s exact recipe, you can easily make a similar mustard BBQ sauce at home. Mix prepared yellow mustard, light brown sugar, chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and molasses to taste. Add a bit of cider vinegar or lemon juice for some tartness and a splash of water to thin it out. Simmer the sauce until thickened, then brush it on your favorite barbecued meat during the last few minutes of cooking. The Georgia Mustard clone is also great as a dipping sauce for french fries, tater tots, or chicken tenders.
Honey Hickory
The sweet and smoky flavors perfectly balance heat and honeyed goodness.
As the name suggests, this sauce kicks from a blend of hickory-smoked peppers and a wholesome dose of honey. The honey adds a touch of sweetness to temper the heat from the peppers, creating a savory-sweet medley that goes great on just about anything. While they recommend it for chicken, pork, fish, and beef, I like to pour it on my sandwiches, dip fries or chicken strips, or even use it as a glaze for grilling.
For those who prefer more subtle heat, Honey Hickory is mild enough to enjoy without setting your mouth on fire.
Hot & Sassy
This medium-high heat sauce packs a punch of flavor with its blend of chili peppers, spices, and brown sugar.
The brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness to balance the heat from the chili peppers. At first bite, the sweetness comes through, then the heat from the peppers builds and lingers. It’s the perfect combination of flavors for me. I like to add an extra drizzle of Hot & Sassy to my pulled pork sandwich or ribs when I want to spice things up. The sweet and savory flavors of the meat pair so well with this sauce.
The ingredients are pretty straightforward for those who want to recreate this sauce at home. Chili peppers like jalapeño or chipotle provide the heat, while brown sugar sweetens things up. Spices like paprika, garlic, and red pepper flakes enrich the flavor. Simmer all the ingredients in vinegar and tomato paste until thickened. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will blend and intensify.
Natural Sweet
The Natural Sweet sauce is aptly named. Unlike the fiery flavors of some other sauces, this one highlights the natural sweetness of the ingredients.
As the mildest of the bunch, Natural Sweet is my go-to when I want to enhance the flavor of chicken or pork without overpowering it with heat. This sauce is 100% natural and, more importantly, gluten-free, containing no high fructose corn syrup. While mildly spicy, the sweetness helps balance it out, making it kid-friendly and a crowd-pleaser for those who can’t handle much kick.
For me, a little sweet heat is all I need to spice up a meal. If you’re looking to replicate this sauce at home, start with a tomato base, then kick it up just a notch with some crushed red pepper flakes, mustard flour, molasses, garlic powder, and other spices of your choice. Simmer the ingredients down until thickened, and you’ll have a homemade version of Famous Dave’s Natural Sweet barbecue sauce in no time. A drizzle of honey will add even more sweetness if needed.
Sugar Free
Regarding heat, I like to start slow and work my way up. The Sugar Free sauce is perfect for easing into Famous Dave’s fiery flavors.
The sauce features tomato paste, vinegar, vegetable oil, and spices like garlic powder and turmeric. While it’s not overly sugary, the blend of ingredients creates a tangy, barbecue-inspired flavor that complements most meats.
For those watching their sugar intake or carb counts, the Sugar Free sauce can spice up your meal without derailing your diet. The heat level is on the lower end of the spectrum, so you can still taste the food underneath and maybe even go back for seconds. If you like the flavor but want an extra kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a few drops of hot sauce. The possibilities for customizing the heat are endless!
Sweet & Zesty
As the name suggests, this sauce perfectly blends sweet and tangy flavors. It combines sweet tomatoes, malt vinegar, and just the right combination of herbs and spices to deliver sweet, zesty goodness waves. Despite the mix of sweetness and heat, I’d still consider this a mild to medium sauce in terms of spiciness.
Since the viscosity is on the thinner side, this sauce is ideal for basting ribs or chicken on the grill or drizzling over a pulled pork sandwich.
Personally, I like to use Sweet & Zesty as a glaze and finishing sauce. During the last few minutes of cooking meat like ribs, chicken, or shrimp on the barbecue, I’ll baste it generously with a brush. The sugars in the sauce will caramelize as it cooks, creating a delicious sticky coating. Once done, I’ll often drizzle a bit more on top to serve.
Texas Pit
One taste of this medium-hot chili-infused barbecue sauce and its vinegary and molasses-sweet blend with hints of chili peppers, and I was hooked. But note that it contains soy. The heat starts mild but builds up, leaving a pleasant tingle on the tongue. I like to slather it on Famous Dave’s hickory-smoked brisket for a flavor explosion in every bite.
I add a few splashes of Devil’s Spit or Wilbur’s Revenge sauce for an extra kick. The blend of sweet and spicy is highly addictive, so I always ask for extra napkins! If you can’t get to a Famous Dave’s, try making a batch of Texas Pit at home with chili peppers, vinegar, molasses, and spices. Your taste buds will thank you.
Out of all of these Famous Dave’s sauces, which one is your spicy delight? Tell me all about your spicy adventures in the comments below!
