Imagine impressing your friends and family with a BBQ sauce so incredible, they'll be begging you for the recipe. This isn't just another ordinary sauce – it's a flavor-packed, restaurant-quality condiment that transforms ordinary grilled meats into culinary masterpieces. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you'll create a sauce that's leagues above anything you can buy in a store, bursting with smoky, tangy, and sweet notes that will elevate your summer cookouts to legendary status.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Whisk the ingredients together until they are thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
- Add garlic powder and smoked paprika to the sauce, stirring to distribute the spices evenly throughout the mixture.
- Reduce heat to low and continue simmering for 20-25 minutes, stirring periodically. The sauce will gradually thicken and develop a deeper, more concentrated flavor.
- Test the consistency by dipping a spoon into the sauce. It should coat the back of the spoon and have a smooth, slightly viscous texture.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool for 5-10 minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Transfer the BBQ sauce to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Allow it to cool completely before sealing and refrigerating.
- The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Use as a marinade, dipping sauce, or basting sauce for grilled meats.
Tips
- Choose high-quality ingredients: The better your ketchup and apple cider vinegar, the more complex and rich your sauce will taste.
- Watch the heat carefully: Simmer gently to prevent burning and allow the flavors to meld together slowly.
- Customize your heat: Adjust the hot sauce quantity to match your spice preference – more for heat lovers, less for mild palates.
- Let it rest: The sauce develops deeper flavors as it cools, so don't rush the cooling process.
- For an extra smoky kick, consider adding a drop of liquid smoke or increasing the smoked paprika.
- Store in a clean, airtight glass container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor contamination.
- Experiment with additional spices like cumin or a touch of mustard powder for unique variations.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 50kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg