Homemade barbecue sauce ideas?

[cwydro]

Anyone?

[Tab]

1. Oh, goodness.

What a question.

Actually I've migrated to using dry rubs for most stuff (but including brown sugar so it caramelizes), and limit BBQ sauce to finishing on the grill.

I've both made it and bought it. Of course, you can make it with whatever spices you want, some molasses and vinegar, etc. I'm actually become partial, though, over the years, to fruit-based BBQ sauce. From apple to blueberry to many others, I think it lends a sweetness and unexpectedness to what might be an okay, but underwhelming, use of traditional stuff.

So, I'm not going to offer a recipe, but suggest you be open to things like fruit-based BBQs; Apple is always a good starter - and see how you like it.

Let us know what you come up with!

- Tab

[japple]

3. I love this one and so does my whole family. It's not thick and sweet like

many bottled sauces. It's great on chicken, beef, pork.

Carolina Red Barbecue Sauce
Yield: Makes about 2 cups
Bon Appétit | July 1999
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon (packed) brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Preparation

Stir all ingredients in small bowl until sugar and salt dissolve. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

ETA: sorry, meant to reply to the OP

[cwydro]

4. Thanks!

Pretty much what I mixed up in the end lol!

[Kali]

2. cheap fast and generic:

ketchup, bit of water or beer, liquid smoke


better tomato based: tomato sauce, bit of mustard, brown sugar (or maple syrup, or molasses), onion and garlic powder, vinegar, black pepper. add chipotle or smoked paprika for smoke flavor. add hot chili powder or cayenne for heat. add any kind of odds and ends you want to play around with for flavor. I have even used old fig jam for the sweet end of a BBQ sauce.

mustard-vinegar type sauce...duh use similar ingredients to above.

teryaki/Asian style: soy, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ginger, garlic

Mexican: citrus, chili powder or fresh jalepeno, oil, salt, garlic (more of a marinade)


play around, taste, add whatever seems to be "missing" taste again, try again next time. the fun of BBQ!

[Aerows]

5. Always add a dash

(or more) of balsamic vinegar, and never hold back on the garlic cloves.

A little smear of dijon mustard goes a long way, too, and maybe a tiny bit of soy sauce for umami.