# McCormick Grill Mates Marinades, Brown Sugar Bourbon > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** McCormick® - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 1.25 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-grill-mates-marinades-brown-sugar-bourbon-125-oz - **Slug:** `mccormick-mccormick-grill-mates-marinades-brown-sugar-bourbon-125-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients and additives (modified corn starch, gum arabic, natural flavors, corn syrup, bourbon whiskey solids, caramel color) and is a ready‑formulation seasoning mix, fitting the ultra-processed category. ## Review McCormick Grill Mates Brown Sugar Bourbon is a small 1.25‑ounce seasoning packet you’d spot on the grocery store spice and seasoning aisle, shelved with other marinades, rubs and bottled barbecue sauces — often near the meat department and grilling accessories. It’s designed for quick backyard cooks and tailgaters: a sweet, smoky blend that promises bourbon-like warmth without the liquid alcohol. Shoppers pull it for weekend barbecues, last‑minute marinades, or to add a caramelized glaze when grilling chicken, pork or shrimp. The brand leans into classic American grilling culture — bold, familiar, and convenience‑focused — aimed at middle‑income family cooks, hosts and anyone who wants crowd‑pleasing BBQ flavor with minimal fuss. The label highlights brown sugar, bourbon and natural flavoring, but there’s no organic or specialty certification; the product uses “natural flavor” claims alongside functional ingredients like modified corn starch and gum arabic. In plain processing context, this is a highly processed seasoning mix formulated with stabilizers and flavor extracts to perform consistently. Sensory cues: a fine, slightly granular powder with sticky edges from sugar, a sweet caramel and smoky aroma, and a glossy single‑use packet that dissolves into oil, vinegar and water to create a marinade. Usage ritual is simple — mix, toss with meat, marinate, grill — which reinforces its convenience appeal. The overall story is familiar Americana: shortcut flavor that lets home cooks deliver indulgent, crowd‑friendly barbecue results without specialized ingredients or lengthy prep. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 11 - **Calories:** 10 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 330mg (14% DV) - **Total carbs:** 2g (1% DV) - **Total sugars:** 1g - **Added sugars:** 1g (2% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Salt, Brown Sugar, Spices (Included Red Pepper), Tomato, Modified Corn Starch, Garlic, Sugar, Onion, Molasses (Refinery Syrup, Cane Molasses, Carmel Color), Gum Arabic, Red Bell Pepper, Malic Acid, Vinegar, Extractives of Paprika, Natural Flavor (Including Barley), Bourbon Whiskey Solids, Corn Syrup & Tamarind. ## Context tags - **Occasions:** weekend-bbq, game-day-prep, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** convenient, indulgent, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade healthy? Healthiness can be pretty subjective! The Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade has low calories and low sugar, which is great if you're looking to add flavor without a caloric overload. However, it does contain added sugars and sodium, so it's best enjoyed in moderation, especially if you're watching your intake. ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade vegan? Nope, this marinade isn’t vegan. It contains bourbon whiskey solids, which are derived from animal products. So, if you’re following a strict vegan diet, you might want to steer clear of this one. ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade gluten-free? Unfortunately, this marinade is not gluten-free. It contains natural flavors that may include barley, which has gluten. If you have a gluten sensitivity, you might want to explore other marinade options that clearly state they're gluten-free. ### Does the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade contain seed oils? Good news here: the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade doesn’t contain seed oils! Instead, it focuses on spices and natural flavors to deliver that delicious taste. So, you can enjoy it without worrying about those controversial oils. ### Does the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade have artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won't find any artificial sweeteners in this marinade. It gets its sweetness from brown sugar and a touch of corn syrup, keeping things pretty straightforward. So, you can feel good about using it to amp up your meals. ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade high in sugar? Not really! With only 1 gram of sugar per serving, it’s considered low in sugar. Just keep in mind that it does have added sugars, so if you're monitoring your sugar intake, it’s wise to use it sparingly. ### What are healthier alternatives to the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade? If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, consider making a homemade marinade with fresh herbs, spices, vinegar, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. This way, you control the ingredients and can keep added sugars to a minimum while still packing in flavor! ### Can kids eat the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade? Yes, kids can enjoy this marinade, but it’s best to use it sparingly, especially because of the sodium content. It can add a fun twist to grilled chicken or veggies for family cookouts, just keep an eye on portion sizes! ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade good for weight loss? While the marinade itself is low in calories, weight loss is all about the bigger picture, including overall diet and lifestyle. It can definitely be a flavorful addition to meals, but pairing it with balanced, nutrient-dense foods is key to any weight loss journey. ### Is the Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade ultra-processed? You could say this marinade is on the processed side of the spectrum, as it contains modified corn starch and other ingredients that aren’t exactly fresh. However, it’s not as heavily processed as some other foods out there, so it can still fit into a balanced diet if used mindfully! ## Related products - [Hunts Snack Pack Gels 4 Pack, Sugar Free Cherry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/snack-pack-hunts-gels-4-pack-sugar-free-cherry-13-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/snack-pack-hunts-gels-4-pack-sugar-free-cherry-13-oz - [Pillsbury Funfetti Gluten Free Cake & Cupcake Mix with Candy Bits](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pillsbury-funfetti-gluten-free-cake-cupcake-mix-with-candy-bits-17-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pillsbury-funfetti-gluten-free-cake-cupcake-mix-with-candy-bits-17-oz - [Keebler Chocolate Pie Crust](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/keebler-chocolate-pie-crust-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/keebler-chocolate-pie-crust-6-oz - [Jell-O Instant Pudding and Pie Filling, Sugar Free White Chocolate](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jell-o-instant-pudding-and-pie-filling-sugar-free-white-chocolate-1-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jell-o-instant-pudding-and-pie-filling-sugar-free-white-chocolate-1-oz - [Baker Baking Chocolate Bars, Unsweetened](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bakers-baker-baking-chocolate-bars-unsweetened-4-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bakers-baker-baking-chocolate-bars-unsweetened-4-oz - [McCormick Insta-Pot Teriyaki Chicken Seasoning](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-insta-pot-teriyaki-chicken-seasoning-125-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-insta-pot-teriyaki-chicken-seasoning-125-oz - [Domino Sugar Poly Bag](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/domino-sugar-poly-bag-12-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/domino-sugar-poly-bag-12-oz - [Badia Spices Chili Powder](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/badia-spices-chili-powder-250-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/badia-spices-chili-powder-250-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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