Had a BBQ judge tell me my ribs were too saucy

I used to glaze them heavy like my grandpa did, but after one competition where a judge literally wrote 'muddy mouthfeel' on my scorecard, I cut the sauce back by half and dry-rub more now. Anyone else get feedback that totally changed their method?

3 comments

3 Comments

young.kim29d ago

That candy ribs comment changed my mind too. Light glaze only now.

smith.anna29d ago

Right? Now I'm over here thinking about all the times I basically served dessert rib racks to my poor friends. I used to hit mine with this thick brown sugar rub AND a sticky KC style sauce and call it a day. My buddy literally asked me once if I was making ribs or a cake. Honestly he wasn't wrong, my last batch was so sweet you could feel your teeth trying to run away from your gums. Lesson learned though, I'm all about the spice and just a tiny brush of something good at the end now.

torres.grant29d ago

Had a buddy who used to slather his ribs in a store-bought sauce that was basically sugar syrup. Took them to a local competition and one judge wrote "candy ribs" on the card with a frowny face next to it. He was so pissed he switched to a vinegar-based Carolina mop sauce the next time and actually placed third. Now he only does a light glaze at the very end and swears by it. Funny how one bad review can totally flip your whole approach.