THC BBQ Sauce: How a Chef Thinks About Cooking With Infused Sauce

Let's get the awkward part out of the way. Most infused sauces are an afterthought. Somebody adds THC to a bottle, slaps on a label, and hopes nobody checks the flavor. That's backwards.

I'm Chef Matt, an ACF Certified Chef with a culinary science degree and 13 years in this business. My rule hasn't changed: if it's good just because it has cannabis in it, you've already lost. A THC BBQ sauce has to be a good BBQ sauce first.

What is a THC BBQ sauce?

It's a barbecue sauce with cannabinoids like delta-9 THC built into the recipe. You use it like any other BBQ sauce. The difference is the dose comes along with it, so you need to treat it with a little more respect.

What I look for

1. Flavor first. Taste it like any sauce: smoke, sweetness, acid, salt. If all you can taste is cannabis, put it back.
2. A clearly labeled dose. Know what's in a serving before you pour.
3. Even mixing. A dose only means something if it's evenly distributed, so shake or stir before every use.
4. Ingredients you'd recognize. Read the label like you would for any food.

How I use it

• Finish with it. Cook your food with regular seasoning. Brush the infused sauce on at the end, off the heat. I treat it like a finishing sauce, not something to reduce for an hour.
• Dip with it. Fries, tenders, burnt ends.
• Stir it into mayo for a sandwich spread.

Dose like a cook, not a hero

Edibles can take a while to kick in, and effects vary from person to person. Start low, wait, and don't reach for more because you're impatient. Measure with a spoon, not the bottle. If you're cooking for other people, tell them it's infused. Always.

Weeknight BBQ chicken thighs

1. Pat bone-in thighs dry. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Roast at 425°F until the skin is crisp and the thickest part reads at least 165°F. I like thighs closer to 175°F for tenderness.
3. Rest for 5 minutes.
4. Brush on the sauce, using a measured amount per serving.
5. Serve with something sharp, like slaw or pickles.

FAQ

Can you cook with THC BBQ sauce? Yes, but I use it as a finishing sauce rather than boiling it down.
How much should I use? Check the label for the dose per serving and start low.
Where can I get it? Chef Matt Crafted Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce

Browse the full sauce collection, or read more about Chef Matt's signature infused sauces, the savory edibles guide, and my THC chips guide.

21+ only. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Effects vary. Do not drive after consuming.