Homemade Barbecue Sauce

There’s nothing better than the tang of a good Southern homemade barbecue sauce slathered over well barbecued meat.

There are so many different types that you can mix and match the tastes and textures to suit your own preferences.

In most cases, it doesn’t take too long to make a great sauce recipe that will have your family or guests begging for more.

The best part about making your own homemade barbecue sauce is that you have the freedom to make your sauce hotter, spicier, smokier or more peppery to suit whatever meat you intend to barbecue.

The choice is yours, so experiment and see what works best for you.

Southern Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 oz (100ml) white vinegar
• 4 oz (100ml) tomato ketchup
• 4 oz (100ml) molasses
• 4 oz (100ml) orange juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
• Tabasco sauce to taste

Method

1. Put all the ingredients aside from the Tabasco into a saucepan and heat over a low heat.
2. Stir frequently to stop your sauce from sticking or scorching on the bottom of the pan.
3. It’s important that you don’t allow this barbecue sauce to boil. Reduce the heat and let your sauce heat up gently for 5 minutes.
4. Taste test your homemade barbecue sauce and then add a few shakes of Tabasco sauce to suit your own tastes.
5. You might prefer to add a little salt and pepper to taste if you feel it needs a little more seasoning.

Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

You’ll never be tempted to buy store bought chipotle barbecue sauce again once you’ve made this easy, smoky barbecue sauce yourself.

Ingredients

• 16oz (450ml) tomato ketchup
• 2 chopped onions
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tins finely chopped chipotle chilli
• 4oz (100g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium-low heat.
2. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and fry them until the onion begins to turn clear.
3. Add the other ingredients and heat slowly, stirring occasionally.
4. When your homemade barbecue sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remember to stir it frequently so it doesn’t stick or scorch on the bottom of the pan.
5. When your sauce starts to thicken it’s ready to serve. Enjoy!

Kentucky Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

This traditional Kentucky bourbon barbecue sauce is an ideal complement for any barbecued meat. Your family will be begging for more once they’ve tried this easy great-tasting sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 chopped onion
• 5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
• 1 pint (500ml) ketchup
• 12 tablespoons brown sugar
• 8 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 8 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon butter

Method

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat and add the chopped onion.
2. Let the onion cook until it caramelizes and turns a lovely golden color, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the sugar and ketchup and mix well.
4. Increase the heat to medium-low at this point to heat. Add the other ingredients except for the Tabasco sauce and stir together well.
5. When the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat back down to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 15 minutes, remembering to stir occasionally to stop it sticking or burning. Your sauce is ready when it begins to thicken.
6. Taste your sauce at this point to see if you need to add seasoning. Add the Tabasco sauce and taste again.
7. You might want to add a little more Tabasco sauce depending on your taste.
8. Allow your homemade barbecue sauce to cool and then serve over barbecued meat. Enjoy!