Kentucky Black Barbecue Sauce
Bold, tangy, and packed with smoky-spiced complexity, Kentucky Black Barbecue Sauce is a regional gem that’s sure to elevate your grilling game. This vinegar-based sauce combines the sharpness of distilled white vinegar with the rich depth of Worcestershire sauce and a hint of sweetness from dark brown sugar, balanced perfectly by robust spices like smoked paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Simmered to perfection in just 20 minutes, this versatile sauce is designed to complement smoky barbecue flavors, making it the ultimate choice for basting grilled meats or serving as a zesty dipping sauce. Whether you’re slathering it over ribs, brushing it on chicken, or pairing it with pulled pork, this signature barbecue sauce offers a unique twist that BBQ enthusiasts will love. Don’t forget—it keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you’ll always have a jar of bold flavor ready for your next cookout!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- 0.5 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 0.25 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the distilled white vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and dark brown sugar.
Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add the black pepper, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to the saucepan. Stir well to incorporate the spices.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the sauce doesn't stick to the pan.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. For additional heat, increase the cayenne pepper.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly.
Transfer the sauce to a clean jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Use the Kentucky Black Barbecue Sauce as a basting sauce for grilled meats or as a dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
394 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.8 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3120 mg | 136% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 78.3 g | 28% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 52.7 g | ||
| Protein | 1.9 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 255 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 10.2 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 1310 mg | 28% | |
*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.
