How to Make BBQ Sauce

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Make your own BBQ sauce at home with this easy, Ketchup-based recipe. Making Barbeque sauce from scratch lets you control all the things - not too sweet, not too tangy - just right

Course Sauces, Tutorial

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 83kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons avocado oil
½ yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 ¼ cups ketchup
½ cup water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Add avocado oil to a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Once shimmering, add onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add paprika and chili powder, stirring to bloom the spices in the oil. Add ketchup, water, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, brown sugar, salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce starts to thicken.
Let cool slightly, then process in a high speed blender until smooth.

Notes

Storage: Store this sauce in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and give a quick stir before using.

BBQ Sauce Variations

For a Sweet BBQ Sauce, in addition to the light brown sugar, add 1 tablespoons of molasses or honey.

For a Smoky BBQ Sauce, swap the sweet paprika for 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika.
For a Vinegary BBQ Sauce, add an additional tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the sauce.
For a Spicy BBQ Sauce, add two chopped chipotle peppers in adobo to the sauce when you add the ketchup.

Nutrition