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Homemade BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce is flavorful, quick and easy to make. It is sticky, smoky, and sweet, transforming grilled meats into irresistible deliciousness. 
Course BBQ Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword Homemade BBQ Sauce, Homemade BBQ Sauce Without Ketchup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 14 servings
Calories 66kcal
Author Heather

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 med onion *finely diced, about 3/4 cup
  • 3 lg cloves garlic
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 7 oz tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar *packed
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke *see Note #1 below
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp mesquite seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp mustard powder

Instructions

  • Dice and prepare the onion and garlic. Measure all the ingredients. See Note #2 below.
  • Warm oil in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat.
  • Sauté onion until soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, worcestershire, liquid smoke and soy sauce. Stir until combined.
  • Add spices and stir well.
  • Cook over low heat until desired thickness, approximately 10-15 mins, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust seasoning for desired flavor making sure to add additional flavors in small batches if needed.
  • Carefully use an immersion blender for a smooth texture. See Note #3 below.

Notes

Recipe Notes
Note #1- When seeking an alternative for liquid smoke in homemade BBQ sauce, consider the following options:
  • Smoked Paprika– 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika adds in a subtle smoky flavor.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce– Incorporate 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which provides a smoky and spicy kick to the sauce. Chop or puree the peppers and add at the same time the liquid smoke would be added.
  • Smoked Salt– Replace regular salt with smoked salt to introduce a subtle smoky essence to your BBQ sauce. Be mindful of the saltiness and adjust accordingly.
Note #2- It is wise to prepare the onion and garlic and have all the ingredients measured prior to beginning. This sauce moves fast and having all the ingredients ready will simplify the preparation. 
Note #3- If processing with an immersion blender while still hot, approach cautiously as  hot splatters are highly possible. 
Note #4- For an extra thick sauce, substitute tomato sauce for tomato paste. Cans and jars will run from 6-8 oz and will still work well for recipe.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg