Homemade barbecue sauces are well-kept secrets among the masters of the competition. Despite all the sauces flavors out there, most sauces have the same basic ingredients. Knowing these ingredients should allow you to experiment with different proportions and then you too can develop your ‘secret’ recipe.
BBQ sauces are usually made from tomato paste, vinegar, spices, and sweeteners. Some other ingredients can be ketchup, molasses (or other sugars), Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, garlic, butter, chili powder, ancho powder, black pepper, onions, alcohol, meat fat, and liquid smoke.
The following three recipes demonstrate the use of these ingredients:
# 1: fabulous Bourbon BBQ sauce
In a large skillet over medium heat combine ½ onion, 4 garlic cloves (minced), and ¾ cup bourbon whiskey. Let simmer for about 10 minutes until the onions are transparent. Add ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ tablespoon salt, 2 cups tomato sauce, ¼ cup tomato paste, 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons liquid smoke, ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce , ½ cup packed brown sugar and 1/3 teaspoon chili sauce (more or less to your liking). Bring the mixture to a boil and leave it in the summer for about 20 minutes.
# 2: ‘simpler is better’ BBQ sauce
This sauce only has five ingredients but is packed with flavor.
Start by pouring 1 full 46oz bottle of ketchup into a large saucepan. Pour 1 ½ cup of apple cider vinegar into the saucepan and add 2 full cups of brown sugar. Add ½ cup of butter and 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (more or less to your liking). Cook over medium heat until it starts to boil slightly, but don’t boil! This recipe makes a lot of sauce and a good way to preserve it is to pour it into the empty ketchup bottle and keep it refrigerated.
# 3: Dual Purpose BBQ Sauce
This recipe can be used as a sauce and also to serve as an amazing marinade for beef, pork, and chicken.
Start with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil over medium heat in a skillet. Sauté ½ chopped onion until tender and golden. Add 1 clove of minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of molasses, and 1 teaspoon of your favorite mustard. Let cool for 5 minutes, stirring well, and add 1 cup of tomato sauce. In a separate bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in ½ cup of cold water, mixing until smooth and smooth. Add cornstarch mixture to skillet and stir sauce until thickened.
There you go, three fabulous sauces to demonstrate the possibilities behind a few simple ingredients.