St Louis Barbecue Sauce
Dive into the bold, tangy, and smoky flavors of St. Louis Barbecue Sauce, a homemade masterpiece that will elevate your grilling game. This easy-to-make sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy with a rich blend of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, and molasses, complemented by the robust kick of smoked paprika, chili powder, and optional cayenne pepper for a touch of heat. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile sauce simmers to a glossy perfection, making it ideal for slathering on ribs, chicken, or pulled pork. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or looking to spice up weeknight dinners, this St. Louis-style sauce adds authentic Midwest flavor to every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, and molasses over medium heat. Stir well to combine.
Add the yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to ensure all the spices are fully incorporated.
Pour in the water to thin out the sauce slightly, and stir until the mixture is smooth.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly before transferring it to a jar or airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Reheat gently before serving, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1086 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.7 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2623 mg | 114% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 274.6 g | 100% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 232.3 g | ||
| Protein | 2.5 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 256 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 5.8 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 1147 mg | 24% | |
*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.
