Up the flavor at your summer soirée with these barbecue basics
By Tanya A. Christian
Summer weather and backyard cookouts pair about as well as barbecue sauce and perfectly grilled meat. And for Juneteenth, both euphoric combinations come together for celebrations across the U.S., marking the date—June 19, 1865—many enslaved Blacks in Texas learned they were free.
For more than a century, the occasion also known as Freedom Day has been observed by Black Americans who, with family, remember the day with fun and food—particularly in a red hue to symbolize the bloodshed of enslaved ancestors as well as sacrifice, power, and strength. Seen as an opportunity to uplift culture, Juneteenth gatherings often serve as a time to preserve the tradition of assembling around food and reflecting on the rich legacy of the ancestors.
For North Carolina pitmaster Ryan Mitchell, that legacy stems back more than 150 years—nearly as long as Juneteenth has been recognized. As a third-generation pitmaster, and son to American Royal Barbecue Hall of Famer Ed Mitchell, the celebration of Juneteenth, coupled with the tradition of barbecue, is a sacred one.
“The cookout has always been an outdoor spiritual experience, and it has always been something that is near and dear to most Black people’s hearts,” Mitchell says. “You light up a grill and you put some food out—I see that smoke and flavor in the air as a symbol of hope and a symbol of community.”
That flavor conventionally comes from the sauces and rubs on meats meeting the hot grates of a grill. “By adding them prior and during cooking, the flavoring gets deeper into the meat and makes it more intense,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. Rogers adds that the combination of smoke with the incorporation of spices, rubs, and sauces can be very desirable, and from a food safety standpoint, it can also keep meat safer because some have antimicrobial properties.
Below we’ve rounded up a handful of Black-owned brands that are sure to make your summer cookout more flavorful. While most sauces, rubs, and seasonings can be used with a number of different meats, we’re offering up suggestions on dishes and spirits to enjoy them with.
Ed Mitchell & Sons BBQ
Famed pitmaster Ed Mitchell has brought his love of BBQ to the masses for over three decades. And along with his son Ryan Mitchell, he founded Pitmaster Enterprises and operated the Big Apple Block Party, a barbecue festival in New York City, from 2002 to 2018. But after Ed was diagnosed with diabetes, the business pivoted into making health-conscious condiments that taste good, too.
“My favorite part of a Juneteenth cookout is being able to celebrate the cooking skills that we’ve had within us, as a people, way before the shackles and chains. It’s exciting to take ownership of this moment and our contributions to the American tradition we know as barbecuing.” —Ryan Mitchell, co-owner of Ed Mitchell & Sons BBQ
Photos: Courtesy of Ed Mitchell, Pitmaster
“We decided we wanted to use our platform in this business to change the narrative around barbecue,” Ryan Mitchell says. Sauces and condiments, in general, are filled with sugars, “and targeted marketing has taken its toll on underprivileged communities,” Mitchell adds. “So, we took a stance on recreating our products with no sugar.”
Today, Pitmaster Enterprises, in partnership with True Made Foods, has a line of grilling accompaniments inclusive of regional sauces, rubs, and a cayenne hot sauce that can be paired with your favorite meats. If you’re interested in complementary dishes to go along with your mains, they’ve got you covered as well. This month the Mitchells released "Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue" cookbook, a celebration of the history and tradition of whole-hog barbecue.
To buy: Pitmaster Carolina Classic Pork BBQ Rub, $25
Try it with: Pork chops, pork shoulder, ribs, pulled pork (the whole hog)
Sip on: Still Moon Moonshine Special Reserve with sweet tea or lemonade (where available) or Brough Brothers Bourbon Whiskey
AubSauce
The AubSauce story began with a request. Aubrey Lenyard, and entrepreneur based in Georgia, was challenged by a friend to create a peach-infused barbecue sauce recipe to pair with a pork loin she planned to cook. After a year of perfecting the taste, and with encouragement from loved ones, Lenyard realized he was on to something.
“My favorite part of a summer cookout is when family comes together for good food and fellowship. There is nothing like seeing young kids running around the yard playing.” —Aubrey Lenyard, owner of AubSauce
Photos: Ben Brinker, Jared Serfozo
“The positive responses led me to launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise the initial capital to bring AubSauce to market,” Lenyard says. “I raised $10,000—twice my $5,000 goal—and AubSauce was born.”
Now this line of small-batch gourmet barbecue sauces consists of four flavors: Spicy Peach, Fiery Pineapple Mango, Original Barbecue, and the newest, Strawberry Balsamic. Lenyard says that when he started the business in 2018, AubSauce was the only barbecue sauce on the market with a fruit base, outside of traditional marinades. “We are uniquely different in that way,” Lenyard says.
To buy: Spicy Peach Barbeque Sauce, $14
Try it with: Chicken, vegetables, salads (as a dressing), pork
Sip on: Lobos 1707
Sienna Sauce
Teen entrepreneur Tyla-Simone Crayton founded Sienna Sauce in 2017 after attempting to emulate the sauce of a cherished restaurant that had since closed.
“My favorite part of a summer cookout is getting together as a group to play card games, eat, and laugh.” —Tyla-Simone Crayton, owner of Sienna Sauce
“I tried to recreate it but I ended up coming up with something better,” Crayton tells CR. The foodie, who’s based in Texas, says her sauce is now “redefining the condiments industry” because it’s gluten-free, contains no high-fructose corn syrup, and is low in sodium. “Sienna sauce has simple ingredients—water, honey, and tomatoes—but our versatility is unmatched,” Crayton says. She enjoys putting her sauces on everything from beef ribs to chicken.
To buy: Sweet & Tangy Everything Sauce, $7
Try it with: Chicken, pork, hot dogs, short ribs, seafood, tofu
Sip on: 18th Street Brewery Best Patio Pils (where available) or Edelheiss Sparkling White Wine Fine Seket
My Fabulous Food
My Fabulous Food started out as a blog in 2015, showcasing original recipes and food photography. But with a growing demand for her delectable creations, Chanel Murphy Lowe grew the business into a catering service, cooking classes, and later, a line of gourmet seasonings. My Fabulous Food is now an online marketplace where Lowe can bring her joy of culinary delights and cooking for others to a wider audience.
"My favorite part of a summer cookout, especially for Juneteenth celebrations, is the vibrant and joyful atmosphere that fills the air. It's a time when family and friends come together to celebrate freedom, unity, and shared heritage.” —Chanel Murphy, owner of My Fabulous Food
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel Murphy Lowe, My Fabulous Food
In her repertoire of goods is an Adobo seasoning that Lowe says is crafted with a meticulous blend of high-quality ingredients carefully selected to achieve a distinctive flavor profile. It’s made up of a blend of salt, garlic, and spices, and does not include any artificial additives or preservatives—something Lowe says resonates with health-conscious consumers.
To buy: My Fabulous Food Adobo, $15
Try it with: Salmon, shrimp, and other seafoods; grilled vegetables; cold pasta; potato salad
Sip on: McBride Sisters Sparkling Rosé
Uncle Clarence BBQ
Clarence Mitchell (no relation to Ryan and Ed Mitchell) is a newcomer to the grilling condiments scene, but with Uncle Clarence BBQ, a line of sauces and rubs he founded in the fall of 2021, he’s quickly making his mark. After COVID-19 lockdowns forced the former telecommunications professional to reprioritize his commitment to family, Mitchell chose to lean into a passion he and his father have had for years.
“My favorite part of a summer cookout is sharing laughs with my community over good food and creating new memories. That's what it's all about.” —Clarence Mitchell, owner of Uncle Clarence BBQ
Photos: Courtesy of Clarence Mitchell, Uncle Clarence BBQ
“People loved our recipes and kept suggesting that we do something with it,” Mitchell says. “And I realized what people loved the most was my father’s barbecue sauce,” which is blueberry-based. Mitchell says it became obvious that they should be selling it.
With a handful of offerings, this small family business, of which Mitchell’s young son is now 10 percent owner of, is building generational wealth—something Mitchell is most excited about.
To buy: Uncle Clarence Barbecue Righteous Ribs with a Kick, $15
Try it with: Pork ribs, salmon, chicken, hamburgers, corn on the cob, grilled asparagus
Sip on: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Best Grills of the Year
Whether you like the convenience of a gas grill, the rich flavor of a charcoal grill, or the versatility of a flat top, these top performers are sure to please.
Monument Grills 77352
Char-Griller Gravity 980 [Item# 2582832] (Lowe's)
LoCo 36" 2023050166
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