Yields: About 2 cups
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Sweeteners:
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons molasses (optional, but adds rich depth)
Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
Instructions
- Combine: In a medium saucepan, whisk together all ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until it reduces slightly and thickens.
- Taste and Adjust: Remove from the heat and taste. Adjust sweetness, acidity, or spice levels to your liking. If desired, you can use an immersion blender or regular blender to create a smoother sauce.
- Store: Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips for Customizing Your BBQ Sauce
- Sweetness: Use white sugar, honey, or maple syrup in place of brown sugar. Adjust the amount for your desired sweetness.
- Tang: Use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for a sharper tang.
- Spice: Add more cayenne, chipotle powder, chili powder, or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Smoky Flavor: Use liquid smoke, increase the smoked paprika, or add a pinch of chipotle powder.
- Flavor Enhancers: Try a tablespoon of soy sauce/tamari, Dijon mustard, or a few drops of fish sauce for extra umami.
