How to Make Quick BBQ Sauce - Outdoor Cabinets

Making quick and delicious barbecue sauce from scratch is easier than you think. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can whip up a tasty bbq sauce in no time. Whether you need a sauce for pulled pork, ribs, chicken, or anything else, this guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step. Read on to learn how to make quick bbq sauce right in your own kitchen.

What You’ll Need to Make Quick BBQ Sauce

Making great barbecue sauce doesn’t require a ton of exotic ingredients. Here’s a quick look at some of the key items you’ll need:

Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes – The base and bulk of the sauce. You can use canned tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, or even tomato paste thinned with water or stock.
Brown sugar or molasses – Adds sweetness, depth, and that classic bbq flavor. Dark brown sugar or molasses works best.
Vinegar – The acidity balances out the sweetness. Apple cider or white vinegar are top choices.
Worcestershire sauce – Provides umami depth. A classic bbq sauce ingredient.
Spices and seasonings – Smoky paprika, garlic, mustard powder, cayenne, black pepper. Customize to your taste.
Butter or oil – Adds richness and binds the ingredients. Opt for butter for maximum flavor.
Meat drippings (optional) – Fat and fond from cooked meat boosts flavor. Use sparingly.

The specific quantities will depend on how much sauce you want to make. But in general, tomato sauce is the base, sugar balances vinegar, spices add flavor, and fat enriches.

Choosing the Right Cooking Method

You can make quick bbq sauce using a few different cooking methods:

Stovetop – Cook in a saucepan over medium heat. Quick and easy but requires more attention.

Slow cooker – Combine ingredients and cook on low for 2-4 hours. More hands off.

Oven – Bake in a covered dish at 300°F for 1-2 hours. Also hands off.

Grill – Simmer over indirect heat with a grill-safe pot. Adds bonus smoky flavor.

Stovetop is the quickest method if you’re pressed for time. But oven and slow cooker are great hands-off options that don’t require watching a pot.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for how to make quick bbq sauce:

Gather Ingredients

Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
Brown sugar or molasses
Apple cider or white vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic, mustard powder, cayenne, black pepper, etc.
Butter or vegetable/canola oil
Meat drippings (optional)

Cook Aromatic Vegetables

Melt 1-2 Tbsp butter or oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add minced garlic, onions, shallots, etc. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Add Tomato Sauce and Sugar

Pour in 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.
Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar or molasses.
Add 2-4 Tbsp vinegar. Start with less vinegar and adjust to taste.
Bring mixture to a simmer.

Season and Simmer

Add Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, mustard powder, cayenne, black pepper and any other seasonings.
Let sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
Taste and adjust sweetness, acidity, and seasoning as needed.

Finish with Butter

Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1-2 Tbsp butter. This adds richness.
For extra flavor, stir in a spoonful of meat drippings from cooked pork or beef.

Allow to Cool and Serve

Let sauce cool to room temperature before serving.
Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Use on ribs, pulled pork, chicken, brisket, sausages, and more.

And that’s it! With these simple steps you can learn how to whip up quick and easy bbq sauce anytime. Adjust ingredients to suit your tastes.

Recipe Variations

The basic bbq sauce recipe above can be customized in endless ways. Here are some tasty variations to try:

Kansas City Style

Swap tomato sauce for ketchup for added sweetness and tang.
Boost molasses and brown sugar.
Add touch of liquid smoke.

North Carolina Style

Use cider vinegar as the acid.
Stir in 2-3 Tbsp hot sauce.
Garnish with red pepper flakes.

South Carolina Style

Use yellow mustard as the base.
Stir in brown sugar and vinegar.
Season with lots of black pepper.

Texas Style

Use beef broth for smoky depth.
Add ancho chili powder and chipotle peppers.
Finish with a splash of beer.

Cooking Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips when making quick bbq sauce for restaurant-quality results:

Simmer the sauce – Don’t just heat through; simmering blends flavors.
Use freshly squeezed juices – Lemon, lime, orange add bright notes.
Cook spices first – Blooming spices boosts their flavor.
Season to taste – Tweak sweet, sour, salt, heat until balanced.
Add umami boosters – Worcestershire, soy sauce, fish sauce.
Rest overnight – Flavors develop fully after cooling.
Adjust thickness – Simmer longer or blend in some cornstarch to thicken.
Go easy on smoke – A little liquid smoke goes a long way.

Serving and Storing Leftover Sauce

Serve bbq sauce warm or at room temperature – reheating dulls flavors.
Refrigerate leftovers for 5-7 days – the flavor holds up well.
Freeze for 1-2 months to keep longer term – freezing prevents spoiling.
To freeze – transfer to airtight containers leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the fridge before using.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about making quick and easy bbq sauce:

What ingredients can I leave out of the sauce?

Tomato sauce/paste and brown sugar/molasses are essential. You can omit butter, Worcestershire, and meat drippings for a simpler sauce. Vinegar adds important brightness.

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh or canned whole tomatoes. Just puree them first in a blender or food processor until smooth.

How spicy should the sauce be?

That depends on your taste preferences! Start with 1/4 tsp cayenne and add more if you want extra heat.

Do I need to cook the sauce?

Yes, simmering blends the flavors fully. Simply mixing ingredients won’t achieve the same balanced flavor.

How long does homemade bbq sauce last?

Store bbq sauce in the fridge for 5-7 days. You can also freeze sauce for 1-2 months.

Can I substitute honey for molasses or brown sugar?

Absolutely. Honey adds great flavor. Reduce any vinegar slightly to balance the sweetness.

What’s the ideal thickness for bbq sauce?

Aim for the consistency of tomato paste. Thin enough to pour but thick enough to coat food and not drip.

Tips for Making the Best BBQ Sauce

Follow these pro tips to take your homemade bbq sauce to the next level:

Smoke chili peppers, garlic, onions, or tomatoes beforehand for natural smoky flavor.
For maximum depth, caramelize onions before adding.
Simmer sauce with wood chunks/chips for true smokehouse flavor.
Let sauce rest overnight before using – this allows the flavors to fully meld.
For tang, use a blend of vinegars like cider, white wine, sherry, or rice vinegar.
Add a spoonful of mustard for tang without having to boost vinegar.
Use fresh-squeezed citrus juice and zest for bright, natural flavor.
Throw in a dash of fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce for savory umami flavor.
For sweetness, mix brown sugar with honey, maple syrup or molasses.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, scallions or crushed pepper flakes.

Conclusion

Learning how to make quick and easy bbq sauce from scratch lets you create finger-lickin’ sauces tailored to your taste. With a simple tomato/sugar/vinegar base, spices for flavor, and simmering to meld ingredients, you can whip up a custom bbq sauce anytime. Experiment with different ingredient combinations and regional styles for sauce that’s uniquely yours.