Introduction
Barbecue sauce is a staple condiment in many households. It adds flavor and moisture to grilled meats, sandwiches, dips, and more. While thicker, sweeter barbecue sauces pair well with ribs and pulled pork, thinner and more vinegar-forward sauces work better for dipping chicken tenders or drizzling on a sandwich. If your sauce is too thick, there are a few easy ways to thin it out.
Heading with the Keyword: How to Thin BBQ Sauce
Here are some tips for thinning out barbecue sauce:
Add Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Vinegar is a common ingredient in many barbecue sauce recipes. Adding a bit more vinegar will help thin out thicker tomato-based sauces. Apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar work well. Add a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Lemon or lime juice can also help cut through thickness. Add the juice of half a lemon and whisk to combine. Taste and add more as needed. The acidity brightens flavor.
Mix in Water or Broth
For a mild thinning effect, stir in water, chicken broth or beef broth a tablespoon at a time. This adds moisture without diluting flavor. Whisk well after each addition until smooth.
Use Oil
Whisking in a bit of canola oil or other neutral-flavored oil can help thin out a sauce. Start with 1 teaspoon per 1/2 cup of sauce and increase as needed. Oil emulsifies into the sauce to loosen it up.
Add Mustard
Prepared yellow mustard or Dijon mustard can help thin out thick barbecue sauce and punch up tanginess. Whisk in 1-2 teaspoons at a time until desired consistency is reached. The vinegar in mustard cuts through thickness.
Reduce Sugar
Cutting back on sugar content can help create a thinner barbecue sauce. If the recipe calls for molasses, brown sugar or honey, reduce the amount slightly. Too much sugar is what gives sauce its sticky texture.
Strain Out Chunks
If there are a lot of tomato chunks, onions or garlic pieces in the sauce, pressing it through a mesh strainer will instantly create a smoother, thinner sauce. Discard any solids left behind.
Dilute with Sauce Base
Making a sauce base separate from chunky mix-ins keeps the base smooth. To thin out finished sauce, stir in more of the smooth sauce base until the right consistency is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thinning BBQ Sauce
How much liquid should be added to thin barbecue sauce?
Start by adding liquid ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice or broth 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. It typically takes 2 to 4 tablespoons to adequately thin 1 cup of barbecue sauce.
Can water be used to thin out store-bought barbecue sauce?
Yes, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of water per cup of sauce and whisking vigorously will thin out thick store-bought sauce without compromising flavor.
What is the best thin barbecue sauce for chicken?
Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar mixed with ketchup makes an easy thin barbecue chicken sauce. For a Carolina-style sauce, combine vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and brown sugar.
Is it better to thin sauce while heating or once cooled?
It’s best to thin out barbecue sauce after it has cooled slightly. Hot or actively simmering sauce will quickly reduce added liquids. Sauce should be warm or at room temperature when thinning for best results.
Can oil be used to thin barbecue sauce?
Yes, adding 1 teaspoon of canola oil or vegetable oil per 1/2 cup of sauce helps thin it out through emulsification. Whisk vigorously to incorporate. Too much oil can make the sauce overly greasy.
What is an easy hack for thinning sauce in a pinch?
If sauce needs thinning out at the last minute, an easy fix is to stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of pickle juice or the liquid from a jar of pickled peppers or jalapeños. The vinegar cuts thickness quickly.
Conclusion
Achieving the perfect viscous, pourable consistency for barbecue sauce is easy with simple kitchen ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, broth and oil. Pay attention to how the sauce coats food and adjust thinness accordingly. A sauce can go from overly thick to just right with a few teaspoons of vinegar and vigorous whisking. Use these handy tips to thin store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce as needed.