Homemade Sweet Spicy Barbecue Sauce
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 5 mins
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Servings
32 servings
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Calories
99 kcal
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
American
Homemade Sweet Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Description
The sauce starts with a base of tomato juice, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar, creating a tangy, slightly sweet foundation. Soy and Worcestershire sauces bring umami and depth, while the brown sugar adds sweetness that balances the heat from cayenne pepper and the warm spices like mustard, oregano, and allspice. Garlic and onion powders provide savory notes, and lemon juice adds brightness. The mixture simmers over low heat for two to three hours, reducing by half and thickening into a cohesive sauce.
Once cooled, the barbecue sauce can be jarred and refrigerated to further meld flavors overnight. It pairs well with slow-cooked meats, enhancing their flavor with a balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy accents. The sauce quantity is large, so halving the recipe is possible.
Freezing extra sauce in small portions helps to preserve it for future meals. Serving size is typically ¼ cup, making it easy to control portions and flavor intensity in dishes.
Ingredients
- 46 oz. tomato juice 100%
- 1 ¼ cups soy sauce 10 fl. oz, low sodium
- 1 ¼ cups Worcestershire sauce 10 fl. oz.
- 3 cups ketchup 825g
- 3 cups apple cider vinegar 730ml
- 3 cups brown sugar packed (640g)
- 2 lemons juiced (about ¼ cup, medium size
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 5g
- 2 teaspoons dried mustard 7g
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder 4g
- 1 teaspoon onion powder 3g
- 1 teaspoon oregano 3g, dried
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice 2g
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger 3g
- 1 teaspoon basil 2g, dried
- 1 teaspoon black pepper 3g, finely ground
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large Dutch oven.
- Heat over medium-low heat, and cook for 2-3 hours, or until cooked down by half. It will have thickened significantly, and the ingredients will be combined (instead of lumpy, as they are in the beginning.) You can do this over higher heat, though I do not recommend that because the sauce will splatter all over your stovetop and backsplash as it bubbles.
- Let cool, then transfer to jars. Refrigerate overnight.
- Serve at room-temperature with your favorite slow-cooked meats and sides.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 9½ cups of barbecue sauce after cooking down; halving the recipe is practical if less sauce is needed.
- Freeze leftover sauce in ice cube trays for convenient portioning and future use.
- A standard serving size is ¼ cup, suitable for coating or dipping with meats and sides.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 32servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 99 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 99kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Sodium | 660mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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