Barbecue Sauce

I didn't realize how picky I was about barbecue sauce until I started trying to make my own. There are so many flavors that must be perfectly balanced to have it taste just right! Oftentimes the homemade version would turn out too tomato-ey. Or the sauce would require way too much sugar for my taste. Finally, I have developed the perfect sauce (for us at least). Sweet, tangy, with the slightest hint of spice- this BBQ sauce gets it just right.

I discovered using tomato paste (not sauce or ketchup) coupled with cider vinegar and broth made for the flavorful condiment I was looking for. Plus, the tomato paste helps it thicken very quickly- no long simmering on the stove! Tasty and quick? This sauce is a win all around! Enjoy!

Barbecue Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 1 1/4 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon each: chili powder, garlic powder

  • .5 teaspoon salt

  • .25 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Whisk together all ingredients in a small saucepan.

  2. Heat over medium heat until it simmers, stirring occasionally.

  3. Bring to a simmer, then turn off heat.

Recipe Notes:

Play around with the seasonings in this sauce to find the perfect flavor combination. Use the broth, paste, and sugar as your base, and then experiment with the rest. Molasses and Worcestershire sauce are great additions. You could even get fancy and add liquid smoke!

This sauce is thick. If you prefer thinner, add more broth until you get the consistency you’re looking for.

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