App First Foods® Database Gift Toddlers Book

Barbecue Sauce

Condiment

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

a photograph of a blob of barbecue sauce on a white background

When can babies have barbecue sauce?

Barbecue sauce may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as it is free of honey or molasses, both of which pose a risk of infant botulism. While barbecue sauce can be high in sodium and sugar, a taste here and there as part of a variety of foods is not a cause for concern.

Barbecue sauce has a long history rooted in indigenous American, African, and Caribbean cooking traditions, evolving over centuries across the American South. One of its core culinary ancestors was a vinegar-based sauce made by enslaved Africans in the Carolinas. Today, barbecue sauce’s flavor profiles vary widely, from the mustard- and vinegar-based sauces of the Carolinas to molasses-rich Kansas City styles.

How do you serve barbecue sauce to babies?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

6 months old +:

Offer age-appropriate parts of the family meal that have been cooked with barbecue sauce, like a chicken drumstick, mashed potato, or slice of meatloaf. While barbecue sauce can be high in sodium and sugar, sharing a taste here and there as part of a variety of foods is not a cause for concern. Taste the sauce yourself before serving to judge whether it’s mild enough to share with baby, and offer cooling foods along with spicy barbecue sauces like avocado or yogurt. Just make sure that the barbecue sauce is free of honey and molasses due to the risk of infant botulism.

12 months old +:

Feel free to cook with barbecue sauce in the family’s meals as desired, and spread on the child’s food if you’d like. At this age, you can also offer a small cup of barbecue sauce as a dip—just know that the child is just as likely to eat or drink the sauce on its own, so consider offering a very small amount. Taste the sauce yourself before serving to judge whether it’s mild enough for your child’s preferences, and offer cooling foods along with spicy barbecue sauces like avocado or yogurt. While barbecue sauce can be high in sodium and sugar, sharing some here and there as part of a variety of foods is not a cause for concern.

24 months old +:

Serve barbecue sauce in any dish that you want to share with the child or on the side in a small cup for dipping. Taste the sauce yourself before serving to judge whether it’s mild enough for your child’s preferences, and offer cooling foods along with spicy barbecue sauces like avocado or yogurt. At this age, you can also help the child squeeze or spread the sauce on their own food, which can help engage toddlers in the meal.

Is barbecue sauce a choking hazard for babies?

No. Barbecue sauce presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve it in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Does barbecue sauce contain common allergens?

It depends on the type. Many barbecue sauces do not contain common allergens, but there are a wide range of products and some may contain common allergens, so be sure to read each label carefully. Some barbecue sauces are mayonnaise-based, and mayonnaise contains egg, which is a common allergen. Others contain mustard, and mustard is designated as an allergen of regional importance in Canada, Europe (including the UK), the Gulf States, and a number of Asian countries.

Note that acidic foods, including tomato and vinegar in barbecue sauce, can cause a harmless and temporary rash on skin that comes into contact with the juices and sometimes contribute to diaper rash. Try applying a thin layer of barrier ointment (such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm) to baby’s face and bottom to help prevent contact rashes.

Barbecue sauce may contain sulfites, and while sulfites are not a common allergen, certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, may have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites.

Prior to sharing barbecue sauce with a child, it is important to introduce any common food allergens in the condiment and rule them out as an allergy. This way, when you are ready to offer it, you’ll be confident that the child has already safely eaten these common food allergens. This approach will also help you identify which food is responsible if the child has an allergic reaction when eating a dish that contains barbecue sauce combined with other ingredients.

Is barbecue sauce safe for babies?

Yes. As long as the sauce is free of honey and molasses, which carries a risk of infant botulism, barbecue sauce is safe for babies once they are ready for solids. While barbecue sauce can be high in sodium and sugar, it is often consumed in small amounts and a taste here and there as part of a variety of foods is not a cause for concern. Some barbecue sauces are spicier than others. Make sure to taste the sauce yourself before serving to judge whether it’s mild enough to share with baby, and offer cooling foods along with spicy barbecue sauces like avocado or yogurt.

Can babies have honey barbecue sauce?

No. Avoid sharing barbecue sauces that contain honey with babies under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but potentially serious illness. After 12 months, sauces that contain honey can be offered in moderation.

Our Team

Written by

Kim Grenawitzke

OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT

Venus Kalami

MNSP, RD, CSP

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