Best 8 Classic Bbq Sauce Recipes

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When it comes to the perfect classic barbecue sauce, there are countless recipes to choose from, each boasting its unique blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. Whether you prefer a thick, rich sauce or a light and tangy one, there's a recipe out there to suit your taste preferences. In this article, we'll guide you through the essential ingredients and steps needed to create a classic barbecue sauce that will elevate your grilling experience to new heights.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC BARBECUE SAUCE



Classic Barbecue Sauce image

This classic barbecue sauce well-balanced sauce is rich and smooth, with sweet, heat and just a touch of smoky flavor and goes well anything you pour it on.

Provided by David & Debbie Spivey

Categories     Appetizer

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup ketchup
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon mustard powder
½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika

Steps:

  • Whisk all of the ingredients together and bring to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 108 kcal, Carbohydrate 26 g, Sodium 819 mg, Sugar 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CLASSIC BARBECUE SAUCE



Classic Barbecue Sauce image

This St. Louis BBQ sauce is versatile and can be used on chicken, beef or pork. —David Boehm, Glendale, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 20m

Yield 1-1/2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 to 2 tablespoons water, optional

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered until slightly thickened, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 17 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 188mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE BBQ SAUCE



Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 50m

Yield Makes about 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable
6 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 slightly heaping tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch ground cloves
2 cups ketchup
2 cups water
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons English-style dried mustard
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, red pepper, allspice, and cloves and cook, stirring, until paste is dark brick red, about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, water, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, black pepper, and bay leaf. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the flavors come together, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf before using.

SOUTHERN BARBECUE SAUCE



Southern Barbecue Sauce image

This is a classic tomato-based barbecue sauce with loads of flavor. Make it at home with ketchup and a few common ingredients, spicy or mild.

Provided by Derrick Riches

Categories     Sauces     Sauce

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
1 1/2 cups ketchup
6 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 1 large lemon)
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan. Add the minced garlic and cook for 15 to 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
  • Add the ketchup, cider vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, paprika, bay leaf, Tabasco sauce, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. Do not add the butter at this point. Simmer the sauce over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch for burning and lower the temperature if needed.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Once melted through, let sauce cool for 10 to 15 minutes before using.
  • If making ahead of time, cool sauce for 30 minutes and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four to five days after preparation.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 23 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 80 mg, Sugar 2 g, Fat 1 g, ServingSize 3 cups (48 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

A VERY POPULAR BBQ SAUCE



A Very Popular BBQ Sauce image

This recipe has a lot of sweetness and spice, so if you're looking for a classic BBQ sauce that's easy to make, look no further. It is very popular with users of 'ceramic' type smokers and grills, (i.e. Primo, Kamado, Big Green Egg, etc.)

Provided by JRNEUMILLER

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     BBQ Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups brown sugar
1 ½ cups ketchup
½ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 ½ tablespoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
2 dashes hot pepper sauce

Steps:

  • In a blender, combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water and Worcestershire sauce. Season with mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Blend until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 42.7 calories, Carbohydrate 10.2 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 278.4 mg, Sugar 9.2 g

OLD STYLE BBQ SAUCE



Old Style BBQ Sauce image

A thick, sticky sauce to slather onto anything edible. It cooks all night in the slow cooker. Stir once after it starts to simmer, enjoy...

Provided by FRNJRD

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     BBQ Sauce Recipes

Time 12h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (28 ounce) bottle ketchup
1 (12 fluid ounce) can beer
1 small onion, diced
1 ½ cups dark brown sugar
½ cup prepared mustard
3 tablespoons barbeque seasoning
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • In a slow cooker, combine ketchup, beer, onion, brown sugar, mustard, barbecue seasoning, vinegar, pepper, and garlic powder. Simmer on low setting for 12 hours or overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.7 calories, Carbohydrate 46.6 g, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 1543.5 mg, Sugar 42 g

QUICK BBQ SAUCE



Quick BBQ Sauce image

For a basic barbecue sauce, all you have to do is whisk together ketchup, light brown sugar, white wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce, and paprika. Use this recipe when making grilled or slow-cooked meat, such as our Barbecue Pork Sandwiches.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (optional)

Steps:

  • Whisk together all ingredients.

KC CLASSIC BARBECUE SAUCE



KC Classic Barbecue Sauce image

Traditional KC style sauces are always tomato based, and there are a lot of ingredients, but they are easy to assemble and each contributes complexity. The best have multiple sources of sweetness (brown sugar, molasses, honey, and onion - which gets sweet when it is cooked); multiple sources of tartness (vinegar, lemon juice, hot sauce, and steak sauce); multiple sources of heat (American chili powder, black pepper, mustard, and hot sauce); and it gets layers of flavor from all the above as well as ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic, and salt.

Provided by Timothy H.

Categories     Sauces

Time 30m

Yield 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons american chili powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon table salt
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup yellow ballpark-style mustard
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup steak sauce
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 medium garlic cloves, minced

Steps:

  • 1) In a small bowl, mix the American chili powder, black pepper, and salt. In a large bowl, mix the ketchup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire, lemon juice, steak sauce, molasses, honey, hot sauce, and brown sugar. Mix them, but you don't have to mix thoroughly.
  • 2) Over medium heat, warm the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and saute until limp and translucent, about 5 minutes. Crush the garlic, add it, and cook for another minute. Add the dry spices and stir for about 2 minutes to extract their oil-soluble flavors. Add the wet ingredients. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes with the lid off to thicken it a bit.
  • 3) Taste and adjust. Add more of anything that you want a little bit at a time. It may taste a bit vinegary at first, but that will be less obvious when you use it. Remember, it is going on meat and will be cooked once again. Strain it if you don't want the chunks of onion and garlic. I prefer leaving them inches They give the sauce a home-made texture. You can use it immediately, but I think it's better when aged overnight. You can store it into clean bottles in the refrigerator for a month or two.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411.8, Fat 8.3, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 1746.6, Carbohydrate 87.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 76.2, Protein 3.1

Tips:

  • Use different types of vinegar: Experiment with various vinegars such as apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar to add distinct flavors to your BBQ sauce.
  • Adjust the sweetness: Balance the sweetness of your BBQ sauce by adding honey, brown sugar, or molasses. Start with a small amount and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired taste.
  • Incorporate spices and herbs: Enhance the flavor profile of your BBQ sauce with a blend of spices and herbs like garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, chili powder, or oregano.
  • Add a touch of smokiness: To impart a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or a dash of smoked salt.
  • Use high-quality ingredients: Opt for fresh and flavorful ingredients to elevate the taste of your BBQ sauce. Freshly squeezed lemon juice, ripe tomatoes, and tangy mustard will make a significant difference.
  • Experiment with different cooking methods: Whether you prefer simmering, grilling, or roasting, the cooking method can influence the texture and flavor of your BBQ sauce. Try different techniques to discover your favorite approach.

Conclusion:

With careful attention to ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques, you can create a tantalizing BBQ sauce that complements your grilled meats, chicken, and vegetables. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or simply enjoying a meal at home, a homemade BBQ sauce adds an irresistible touch of flavor that will impress your taste buds and leave you craving more. So experiment, adjust, and explore the endless possibilities of BBQ sauce making until you find your perfect recipe.

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