Barbecue Sauce Basics

Sauces are a simple way to add flavor to grilled foods. With so many prepared varieties available on grocery store shelves, it’s easy to forget that you can simmer up your own, homemade barbecue sauce with a handful of ingredients you probably have in your fridge and pantry. Plus, making your own sauce allows you to control the ingredients and the flavor.

Most barbecue sauces start with a tomato base, either crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, juice or ketchup, though in some Southern states mustard is the condiment of choice to build a sauce around. Whichever style of sauce you prefer, don’t be afraid to experiment. Play around with your favorite spices, vinegars or other ingredients to create a sauce specific to your tastes.

When you’re cooking or grilling with barbecue sauce, whether it’s homemade or purchased, brush it onto food when it’s almost done cooking. If applied too early, the sugars in the sauce will burn.

Food safety is important when cooking with barbecue sauces. If you’d like to serve some of your sauce with your food, be sure to separate it from the sauce you’ll brush onto your meat or poultry to prevent cross-contamination. If you forget to separate your sauce, boil it for at least five minutes before serving. 

This sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, slightly smoky and tangy. You can store your sauce in an airtight container in your fridge for 5 to 7 days.

Barbecue Sauce

Makes about 2½ cups of sauce.

2 cups ketchup

1 medium onion, chopped

½ cup water

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoons Dijon mustard

¼ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon hot sauce

Salt and pepper

Stir all ingredients together in a medium, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.