Barbecue sauce is an essential condiment for barbecued and grilled meats. With its sweet, tangy, and sometimes spicy flavors, barbecue sauce adds tremendous depth and flavor to your grilling. While you can certainly buy barbecue sauce at the grocery store, making your own allows you to customize the flavor to your exact taste preferences. Homemade barbecue sauce also often tastes better than store-bought varieties.
This guide will provide tips and step-by-step instructions for making barbecue sauce at home. We’ll cover everything from choosing ingredients to simmering and storing your finished sauce. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can easily whip up a homemade barbecue sauce that’s finger-licking good!
Ingredients for Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce recipes can vary widely, but most rely on a similar base of ingredients. Here are some of the key components that go into a basic homemade barbecue sauce:
Tomato Product
Tomatoes provide the thick, rich texture and tangy flavor in most barbecue sauces. You can use tomato sauce, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, or even ketchup as the tomato product. Tomato paste lends a thicker, more concentrated tomato flavor.
Sweetener
To balance out the acidity of the tomatoes, barbecue sauces need a sweet element. Common sweeteners used include brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, or corn syrup. Darker sweeteners like brown sugar and molasses add deeper, more complex sweetness.
Vinegar
Adding vinegar contributes a bright punch of acidity to barbecue sauce. Apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar are commonly used. You can also experiment with wine vinegars, rice vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce provides a savory, umami-rich flavor to barbecue sauce. The tamarind and molasses in Worcestershire also contribute sweet and sour notes.
Spices and Herbs
Spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes can be used to add heat. Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cinnamon, and cumin add warmth and flavor complexity. Fresh or dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, and cilantro brighten up the sauce as well.
Extras
Ingredients like mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce, liquid smoke, beer, bourbon, and coffee can add unique dimensions to your barbecue sauce. Things like grated onion or garlic, lemon juice, and minced chili peppers also enhance flavor.
Basic Steps for Making Barbecue Sauce
Making homemade barbecue sauce is easy. Just follow these basic steps:
Cook Aromatics
Sauté onion, garlic, and other aromatics like bell pepper, celery, ginger, etc. in a pot with a bit of oil. This adds a depth of flavor.
Add Tomato Product and Vinegar
Stir in your choice of tomato product, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and any other liquid ingredients. Simmer for a few minutes.
Add Sweetener, Spices, and Herbs
Mix in sweetener, dry spices, and fresh/dried herbs. Let simmer so flavors meld.
Reduce and Thicken
Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 15-30 minutes to reduce and thicken. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Taste and Adjust
Taste the sauce and adjust as needed. Add more sweetener, vinegar, or spices if desired. Simmer a bit longer to let flavors develop.
Finish and Cool
Once satisfied with the flavor, remove from heat. Stir in any final ingredients like mustard or hot sauce. Allow to cool before bottling.
And that’s it! With these basic steps, you can easily whip up a fantastic homemade barbecue sauce. Now let’s go over some key tips and tricks.
Tips for Making Great Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Follow these tips to make your homemade barbecue sauce extra flavorful:
- Sauté aromatics first – Onions, garlic, celery, bell peppers, and other aromatics provide a flavor base. Sauté them in oil at the start.
- Simmer the sauce – Don’t just mix and heat. Simmering for 15-30 minutes allows flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken up.
- Use quality ingredients – Splurge on good tomato products, vinegars, spices, etc. Quality ingredients = better flavor.
- Add ingredients in stages – Don’t dump everything in at once. Add components like sweeteners, spices, and acids in stages.
- Taste frequently – Taste after each addition and adjust until satisfied. More vinegar? Sweetness? Spice?
- Let cool completely before bottling – Funnel into jars or bottles only once sauce has cooled. This prevents bottle spoilage.
- Refrigerate after opening – Store opened sauce in the fridge. The flavors continue improving over the first few days.
Experiment and customize! The fun of homemade sauce is tweaking flavors to your taste. Change up ingredients and amounts until you create your ideal barbecue sauce.
Barbecue Sauce Variations
Once you master a basic barbecue sauce, the possibilities are endless for creating your own signature sauce. Some variations to try:
Regional American Barbecue Sauces
- Kansas City: Molasses, vinegar, spices
- Memphis: Tomato-based, sweet, spicy
- Texas: Beef stock, chili powder, cumin
- Carolina: Vinegar-based with mustard
- Alabama: Mayonnaise-based white sauce
International Inspired Sauces
- Korean: Gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger
- Jamaican Jerk: Scotch bonnets, allspice, lime juice, brown sugar
- Mojo: Garlic, olive oil, citrus, cilantro
Fruit Based Sauces
- Strawberry, mango, pineapple, peach, apricot
- Complement with flavors like ginger, brown sugar, and peppers
Whiskey, Beer, or Wine Sauces
- Bourbon, stout beer, red wine all add great flavor
- Use as part of sauce liquid or just splash in at the end
Herb and Spice Sauces
- Fresh cilantro, rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme
- Harissa, curry powder, five spice, ras el hanout, etc.
Mix, match, and blend regional or international flavors to put your own unique stamp on homemade barbecue sauce!
How to Make Basic Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Now let’s walk through a recipe for how to make a classic American-style sweet and tangy barbecue sauce at home:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, molasses, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Bring sauce to a simmer and let cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat if necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Add more sugar for sweeter sauce or vinegar for more acidity.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely before transferring to a bottle or jar. Sauce will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
And that’s it! You now have a tasty homemade barbecue sauce to use on everything from grilled chicken to burgers. Customize the recipe with your favorite ingredients and flavors. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Barbecue Sauce
Here are answers to some common questions about creating your own homemade barbecue sauce:
What is the best tomato product to use?
Tomato paste provides a thick, concentrated tomato flavor. Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes offer brighter fresh tomato taste. Ketchup works too in a pinch!
How long does homemade barbecue sauce last?
Properly stored in a sealed container in the fridge, homemade barbecue sauce will last 2-3 weeks. The flavor continues improving over that time as ingredients meld.
What’s the difference between barbecue sauce and steak sauce?
Steak sauce tends to be thinner, focused on enhancing beef. Barbecue sauce is a marinade and basting sauce for grilled meats with a balance of sweet, sour, and sometimes spicy.
Can you use pineapple or mango in barbecue sauce?
Yes! Tropical fruits like pineapple and mango make great additions or the base for fruity barbecue sauces. Compliment them with ginger, vinegar, and peppers.
What liquid smoke is best for barbecue sauce?
Hickory and mesquite are classic wood smoke flavors that pair well. Applewood liquid smoke also works nicely. Use just a small amount, 1⁄4 teaspoon or less. A little goes a long way.
Is it necessary to simmer barbecue sauce?
Simmering for 15-30 minutes isn’t 100% required, but it greatly enhances flavor development. The sauce thickens up and ingredients meld beautifully with a brief simmer.
What’s the ideal consistency for barbecue sauce?
Aim for the consistency of ketchup or maple syrup. Thick enough to coat and cling to meat, but pourable from a bottle. Thin with water or stock if needed.
What’s the best way to store leftover barbecue sauce?
Pour cooled barbecue sauce into a clean glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate and use within 2-3 weeks. The flavor will continue improving over that time.
Can you freeze leftover barbecue sauce?
Absolutely! Portion into freezer bags or containers, removing excess air. Thaw in the fridge before using. Freezing won’t significantly degrade the flavor.
Tips for Using Your Homemade Barbecue Sauce
You’ve crafted the perfect homemade barbecue sauce. Now what’s the best way to use it? Here are some tips:
- Marinate meats – Combine sauce with oil, herbs, etc. to make a marinade. Let meat soak for a few hours or overnight.
- Baste while grilling – Use a basting brush to frequently coat meat with sauce as it grills. Adds great charred flavor.
- Toss with wings or ribs – Coat prepared wings, ribs, or other meat in sauce either before, during, or just after cooking.
- Dip for grilled items – Serve your sauce on the side for dunking items like chicken tenders, veggie skewers, or grilled bread.
- Use as a sandwich spread – Slather your sauce on burgers, pulled pork, chicken sandwiches instead of plain mayo or ketchup.
- Make a salsa – Combine sauce with fresh diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime. Scoop up with tortilla chips.
- Top pizzas – Generously drizzle your barbecue sauce over pizza instead of ordinary pizza sauce.
- Give it a swirl – Swirl sauce into soups like tomato soup or creamy potato soup for a smoky, tangy kick.
With your homemade barbecue sauce, the possibilities are endless for adding incredible flavor to all kinds of foods. Have fun with it!
Conclusion
Making your own barbecue sauce from scratch lets you create a flavor profile that’s exactly to your liking. While it does take a bit more effort than buying a bottle of sauce at the store, the payoff of having a homemade sauce that’s better than any store-bought variety makes it well worth it.
Start with a basic recipe using common ingredients like tomatoes, vinegar, sweeteners, and spices. Tweak and customize the ingredients and amounts until you dial in your perfect blend. Simmer the sauce to let the flavors develop and meld. You can also explore endless regional and international flavor variations.
Use your homemade barbecue sauce for marinades, basting meat while it grills, dipping, slathering on sandwiches and burgers, and more. The possibilities are endless once you have a signature sauce to call your own. So fire up that grill, make a batch of sauce, and get ready for the best barbecued meats of your life!