Meet Ruth

The woman behind the bottle.

Ms. Ruth

Mrs. Ruth Smith was a faithful member of the Pinetops Church of God in eastern North Carolina. In her basement she made a barbecue sauce like no other — a unique blend of vinegar-based ingredients — and gave it away to family, friends, and her pastor, who never once ran out in nearly seven years.

She never wrote the recipe down. When her pastor, Dr. Welton Wriston, asked for it before moving on, she told him he was welcome to come take notes — so that's exactly what he did. Years later, with the blessing of her family, he trademarked the sauce in her honor. On November 28, 2023, the first official batch was bottled in Henderson, North Carolina.

Missions was the heartbeat of Sister Ruth. Any time she had extra money, she gave it to the work.

Dr. Welton Wriston

That's why every bottle still gives. All proceeds above the cost to produce this sauce go to support the work of missions — sold today in her memory, and to her standard.

Folks are talking

Don't take our word for it.

Dr. Wayne and Lou Flora

A perfect blend of vinegar-based condiments and spices to caramelize your chicken, pork, or beef with a zesty, tongue-tantalizing zing that will light up your taste buds! Sweet, but not too sweet, hot, but not too hot! Just right for your next barbecue outing.

Mrs. Jackie Dunn

Simply delicious and pairs well with all meats and even better with hushpuppies and southern fried corn bread.

Rev. Tim and Lula Hopkins

We are so thrilled with the taste of Ruth's BBQ Sauce that we do not use any other sauce these days. It is a great blessing to know we can enjoy Ruth's BBQ Sauce and support missions at the same time.

Dr. Henry Smith

It was my privilege to have known Ruth James Smith from 1957 to her homegoing to be with Jesus. I am pleased to recommend the BBQ sauce that Ruth has passed along to us. It has Ruth's touch. She was a wonderful cook.

Rhapsody Smith

This sauce is special… it's my grandma's recipe! You have to try it! Our family loves it on grilled pork chops, but it's great on chicken too! Not too tangy, not too sweet, not too spicy — it's just right!

Mike Robbins

Ruth's BBQ Sauce is our "go to" sauce. We brush it on, pour it on or just use it for dipping. With a portion of the purchase price going to support World Missions, it's a win, win!

Born in North Carolina, Brought to Your Table

All natural. Made with love in North Carolina.