Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Servings
4 cups
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Calories
467 kcal
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
American
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Description
The Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe starts by slowly caramelizing finely diced onions in oil to develop sweetness, then adding garlic for additional depth. The base is a mix of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and packed brown sugar, enhanced with dry mustard powder, cayenne, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and optionally liquid smoke. After simmering to meld flavors, the sauce is blended until smooth and finished with butter for richness and sheen.
This sauce presents a complex tangy-sweet profile with subtle heat, making it versatile for beef, pork, or chicken applications such as grilling, dipping, or glazing. The simmer and blend steps ensure a thick, evenly textured sauce that clings well to foods.
Storing the sauce refrigerated keeps it fresh for up to 10 days, and it improves in flavor over a few days. Reheating gently prevents burning or separating. It is not recommended for freezing due to texture changes. For quick versions, onion and garlic powders can replace fresh sautéed aromatics, and tomato puree may be used instead of ketchup by adding tomato paste to thicken.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- ½ yellow onion peeled small diced
- 2 garlic finely minced
- 2 cups ketchup
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder dry
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 butter unsalted, stick
- liquid smoke optional 2 teaspoons
Instructions
- In a medium size sauce pot add in the oil and cook the onions over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until well browned. Stir occasionally.
- Add in the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Next, add in the remaining ingredients except for the butter and cook over low to medium heat for 5-10 minutes while occasionally stirring to combined everything.
- Puree everything using a blender or a hand blender on low speed just until smooth.
- Finish by whisking in the butter and serve.
Notes
- Make the sauce up to three days in advance to let flavors develop further.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 10 days; avoid freezing to maintain texture.
- Reheat gently over low heat to warm without breaking the sauce.
- For shortcuts, use onion and garlic powders instead of fresh aromatics and skip sautéing.
- Use tomato puree with added tomato paste as a ketchup substitute to maintain thickness.
- Avoid over-blending to prevent discoloration of the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 467 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 467kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 105g | 35% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 1738mg | 72% |
| Potassium | 870mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 96g | 192% |
| Vitamin A | 732IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 128mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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