There are typically 3 or 4 main ingredients that go into making a BBQ sauce.
- Tomato Base
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Spices
Of course, there are as many types of BBQ sauces as there are places. Sometimes, tomato paste is replaced with a mustard base or uses vinegar as the base as they do in the Lowcountry. The point is that making your sauce is very simple, fun, and can make for a wonderful meal.
Get creative. The point is to have fun. If the sauce is terrible, try again; if it’s great, rib time!
You can’t go wrong, but if you do, there is a whole world of wonderful BBQ sauces for purchase that we will review on this site.
Barbecuing is something you share with others. What better way to make it your own than to create your sauce?
So, here’s a basic template for a Kansas City-style BBQ sauce.
1 1/4 cup tomato ketchup
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 TBL onion powder
2 TBL molasses
1 cup water
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly for 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
This is a very basic sauce recipe. Nothing fancy.
Try it out, or make it your own. Try adding your favorite spices instead of or in addition to onion powder. Try adding some cola or sprite. Add a different type of vinegar. Add a fruit juice.
Have fun and enjoy making your BBQ sauce. There are several great uses for your custom sauce, including as a dipping sauce, as a marinade, brushed on a product, or even as an ingredient in another sauce.
Besides having fun and enjoying your new sauce, making your BBQ sauce also helps you choose from the myriad of sauces that you find online or at your local grocer. By making your own, you know what you like and what you dislike.
Visit RAY RAY’S BBQ for reviews, recipes, and BBQ tips.
