It seems that every backyard barbecue chef has his or her own special, secret recipe for barbecue sauce. Barbecue is possibly the archetypal American dish. It is very democratic, allowing anyone to develop the skills to create a luscious barbecued meal, using meat, poultry, fish, seafood,and vegetables. Men in particular seem to enjoy gathering around the barbecue with a beer, and the meal is completed with bread, salad and dessert.
There are of course a great many bottled barbecue sauce products available in the supermarkets and even at farmer's market. The industrial products are made from cheap ingredients and are likely to be very heavy in the salt and sugar. The more artisanal products from markets and stalls are to be preferred, but it is so easy to make your own! You then have the confidence that you know what is in the sauce and have the opportunity to taste and adjust to suit the palate of your family and guests.
The video below shows how to make a very simple all-purpose barbecue sauce that can be made from pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1-5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 red chili, chopped
- 1 tsp fennel seeds, slightly crushed
- 2 oz (55 g) brown sugar
- 13/4 fl.oz. (50 ml) soy sauce
- 10 fl.oz. (300 ml) tomato sauce
- salt and pepper
Method
Toast the fennel seeds in a hot dry saucepan for a few seconds. Add the oil, let it heat and then add the garlic, onions and chili. Stir to combine. Turn heat to its lowest, put the lid on the saucepan and let the mixture cook for about 7 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, soy sauce and sugar, stir to combine, then let simmer for 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning and make any corrections you want. The sauce can be put in the blender if you want a smooth texture, otherwise leave it alone. Add to grills, sausages, chicken ... can be used as a basting sauce, dipping, or on the side. [atag]B000GLJYTG[/atag]
Regional Barbecue Sauce Variations
The U.S. has a wide variety of differing barbecue sauce tastes. Some are based in regional tradition. Here are the major styles of barbecue sauce with a basic recipe, but of course there are thousands of possible variations for each one.
Tomato-based barbecue sauce basic recipe
- 1 regular can of tomato sauce
- 1 can of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 4 tablespoons onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Gently fry the garlic and onion in the oil until soft, and then add all the rest of the ingredients. Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Keep stirring it often so it doesn't burn, then refrigerate for a few days before you use it
Mustard-based barbecue sauce basic recipe
- 1 cup prepared yellow mustard
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for at least thirty minutes.
Vinegar-based barbecue sauce basic recipe
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Dissolve the brown sugar in the hot water, stirring until the sugar grains have disappeared. Add the remaining ingredients and heat on low for a few minutes.
Mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce basic recipe
There is a somewhat uncommon barbecue sauce that comes from Alabama (with a banjo on its knee!). Here's a video showing how this sauce is made.
Whatever version of barbecue sauce you choose, and especially if you are using a commercial brand with high sugar content, remember to add the sauce towards the end of cooking and keep the flame low so the sauce does not blacken and burn.
Whatever your barbecue sauce preferences, do try to make your own - your family and friends will really appreciate it!
For more Barbecue Sauce recipe videos please visit: Barbecue Sauce Video Blog.
