Ditch the Store-Bought Stuff: Craft Your Own Delicious BBQ Sauce at Home!
Calling all grill masters and BBQ enthusiasts! Today, we’re ditching the store-bought bottles and taking a deep dive into the wonderful world of homemade BBQ sauce. Get ready to unleash your inner chef and create a flavorful, personalized sauce that perfectly complements your favorite grilled meats, vegetables, and beyond.
This recipe is surprisingly simple and requires minimal ingredients. You’ll be amazed at how much richer, deeper flavor you can achieve compared to store-bought options.
Why Go Homemade?
Here are just a few reasons to take the plunge and make your own BBQ sauce:
- Customization: You’re the master of your flavor destiny! Adjust the spices and sweetness to your liking, creating a sauce that’s perfectly tailored to your taste buds.
- Freshness: Homemade sauce allows you to control the quality of ingredients. No more preservatives or hidden sugars!
- Cost-effective: While store-bought sauces can add up, this recipe uses pantry staples and makes a generous batch, saving you money in the long run.
Ready to Experiment?
Let’s explore the ingredients and steps involved in creating your own signature BBQ sauce:
- Dry Rub: This forms the base of your flavor profile. You can use a store-bought rub or create your own blend like I’ve included in this recipe.
- Ketchup: The foundation of your sauce’s consistency and sweetness.
- Molasses: Adds depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy acidity, which balances the sweetness and complements the smoky notes.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex umami flavor.
- Honey or Brown Sugar: Add a touch of honey or brown sugar to adjust the sweetness level.
Pro-Tips for Making Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! This recipe serves as a base – feel free to add other spices like mustard powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper for a unique twist.
- Start with a small batch: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled, but if you’re unsure of your preferred flavor profile, begin with a smaller batch to avoid wasting ingredients.
- Thicken with cornstarch: If your sauce is too thin after simmering, you can create a slurry with cornstarch and water and add it to the sauce, simmering for a few minutes until thickened.
Watch how to make this BBQ Sauce recipe!
Want to see this magic happen in real-time? Check out the video I’ve included below where I walk you through every step, making sure you nail your homemade BBQ sauce on the first try!
Get Creative with your Sauce!
Now that you have the basic recipe, the possibilities are endless! Use your homemade BBQ sauce on pulled pork, ribs, grilled chicken, burgers, vegetables, and even as a dipping sauce for appetizers. Let your creativity flow and discover your favorite ways to enjoy this versatile condiment. Here are a few more recipes and videos you may enjoy:
- Cooking Chicken Breasts Evenly
- Checking Fish Doneness
- Mexican Chicken Marinade
- Smoked Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
- Chipotle Barbacoa Burritos
Ready for more Chef Tips?
Head over to my YouTube channel for video demonstrations of more than 300 recipes! I’ll guide you through each step, sharing tips and tricks, and revealing insider secrets gleaned from the chefs around the world. Let’s embark on more delicious adventures together! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X!
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric or Coleman's dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves optional
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Jason’s garlic shallot purĂ©e or 2 cloves mashed garlic
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients well and put into a small cooking pot.
- Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and keeping care that it doesn't burn.
- Allow to cool completely in the refrigerator, allowing flavors a few hours to meld.
- Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
