Bona Fide Barbecue Sauce
Elevate your grilling game with this irresistible Bona Fide Barbecue Sauce, a homemade masterpiece that balances sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors for the ultimate backyard feast. Crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and molasses, this sauce is infused with layers of bold spice from smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne. Optional liquid smoke adds an extra kick of robust flavor, perfect for ribs, chicken, or pulled pork. Ready in just 30 minutes, this sauce is easy to make and stores beautifully—ideal for quick weeknight meals or weekend barbecues. Customize its sweetness and tang to your liking, and enjoy a rich, velvety finish that’s perfect for brushing, dipping, or slathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 0.5 cups apple cider vinegar
- 0.75 cups brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
- 0.5 cups water
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.
Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the saucepan. If desired, add the liquid smoke for an extra smoky flavor.
Pour in the water and stir the mixture to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary (e.g., you can add a pinch more sugar for sweetness or a bit more vinegar for tanginess).
Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly.
Transfer the barbecue sauce to a jar or airtight container. It can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1047 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2454 mg | 107% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 264.3 g | 96% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 224.1 g | ||
| Protein | 2.1 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 262 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1241 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
