Grilled Tomato Sauce on Barbecue
Transform your cookout into a flavor-packed affair with this Grilled Tomato Sauce on Barbecue recipe. Bursting with smoky, charred goodness, this sauce is made by grilling ripe tomatoes, garlic, and red onion to caramelized perfection before blending them with fresh basil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and a hint of crushed red pepper for an optional kick. This versatile homemade tomato sauce boasts a bold, barbecue-fired depth that pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, or crusty bread. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate easy summer recipe that showcases seasonal produce and elevates your grilling game. Perfect for backyard gatherings or a weeknight treat, this sauce will be your go-to for bright, smoky, and herbaceous flavors.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 medium ripe tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red onion
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your barbecue or grill to medium-high heat.
Wash the tomatoes and pat them dry. Slice each tomato in half crosswise.
Peel the garlic cloves and leave them whole. Peel and cut the red onion into thick slices to prevent them from falling through the grill.
Brush the tomatoes, garlic cloves, and onion slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking during grilling.
Place the tomatoes (cut side down), garlic, and onion slices onto the grill. Close the grill lid and cook for 6–8 minutes, or until the tomatoes are charred and softened.
Flip the tomatoes, garlic, and onion slices. Continue grilling for another 6–8 minutes. Remove from the grill and let them cool for a few minutes.
Once cool enough to handle, remove the skins from the tomatoes if they peel away easily. Transfer the grilled tomatoes, garlic, and onion to a blender or food processor.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, basil leaves, kosher salt, black pepper, balsamic vinegar, and (if desired) crushed red pepper flakes to the blender.
Blend until the sauce reaches your desired consistency—either smooth or slightly chunky. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the grilled tomato sauce warm or at room temperature over pasta, on pizza, or as a dipping sauce for bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
634 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.0 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 639 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 64.9 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.1 g | 100% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.2 g | ||
| Protein | 25.2 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 777 mg | 60% | |
| Iron | 19.4 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 3647 mg | 78% | |
*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.
