Sauce, barbecue, KC MASTERPIECE, original
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue Sauce is a thick, glossy, and richly flavored condiment with a signature sweet and tangy profile. Its smooth, clingy texture is perfect for slathering, and its nutrition is defined by a high carbohydrate content, primarily from sugar, with minimal protein or fat.
Calorie split: 2% protein · 95% carbs · 3% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its bold, balanced flavor that perfectly marries sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, making it a crowd-pleaser for everything from ribs to chicken. Its convenience and consistent taste make it a reliable go-to for backyard grills and family meals.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 30g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, and it is often high in sodium. To counteract this, use it sparingly as a glaze rather than a drenching sauce, pair it with protein-rich foods like chicken or pork to slow sugar absorption, or look for reduced-sugar versions.
Key benefits
- Adds significant flavor and moisture to grilled or smoked meats
- Provides quick energy from its carbohydrate content
- A versatile base for marinades, glazes, and dipping sauces
- Contains a small amount of dietary fiber
- A staple of American barbecue culture and convenience
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original KC Masterpiece recipe was created by a local doctor, Dr. Richie, in 1978 and was famously sold out of the back of his car before becoming a national brand.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 58.4 g |
| Energy | 160 kcal |
| Energy | 671 kj |
| Protein | 1.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.52 g |
| Ash | 2.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 37.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 30.9 g |
| Sucrose | 2.0 g |
| Glucose | 15.5 g |
| Fructose | 13.4 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 0.07 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 40.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 24.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 277 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 613 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.22 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 0.79 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 14.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 164 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 277 iu |
| Lycopene | 4494 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 99.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.96 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.08 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.12 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Sauce, homemade, white, medium — USDA does not publish this profile for Sauce.
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.87 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.7 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.15 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 7.0 mg |
| Phytosterols | 29.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Sauce, homemade, white, medium — USDA does not publish this profile for Sauce.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.14 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.19 g |
| Leucine | 0.30 g |
| Lysine | 0.24 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.15 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.15 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.11 g |
| Histidine | 0.08 g |
| Alanine | 0.10 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.23 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.64 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.30 g |
| Serine | 0.17 g |
FAQ
What is the primary difference between KC Masterpiece and other barbecue sauces?
KC Masterpiece is known for its thick, rich consistency and a signature flavor profile that is notably sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky, often with a molasses or brown sugar base, distinguishing it from thinner, vinegar-based or spicier regional styles.
Can it be used as a marinade?
Yes, but its high sugar content means it can burn easily over direct high heat. It's best used as a marinade for shorter periods or applied as a glaze during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent charring.
Is it gluten-free?
The original recipe is typically gluten-free, but formulations can change. Always check the label for a certified gluten-free seal or review the ingredient list for sources of wheat or malt vinegar if you have celiac disease or sensitivity.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.60 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 1.4 g fiber · 30.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.21 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.