This is my go to bbq sauce base.  It is perfectly balanced and is the base sauce for all of my sauces.  Like a sweet and tangy sauce, add honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.  Like it vinegary then add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar.  Like it spicy add a pinch of cayenne, 2 tablespoons hot sauce and 1 tablespoon of chili powder.  If you just love a nice and well balanced sauce, eat as is.  This is why this sauce is the best sauce around.

Base BBQ Sauce

Like any great bbq sauce we need to start with a sugar/vinegar mixture.  I will call this a gastrique, however, I know this is more of a reduction rather than caramelized sugar being deglazed with vinegar.  In a large Saucepan over medium-high heat, make a gastrique by bringing the dark brown sugar, molasses, white vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to a gentle boil. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Once at a gentle boil, remove from the heat and add the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper and paprika powder. Let sit for 20 minutes.

Stir in the ketchup and return to the stove, bring to a light boil and then reduce to a simmer over low for 30 minutes.  As you can see, I had to change pans.  I would suggest that you use a pan that is big enough for all of the ingredients.

Remove from the heat and add the basic bbq rub.

Let cool and then refrigerate for up to 1 month.  I like to store my sauces in squeeze bottles but any jar or Tupperware container will work just fine.

Base BBQ Sauce

 

Author:

Rex

Recipe type: Sauce

Serves: 8

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Print

 

The perfect bbq sauce. This is the base of every bbq sauce that I make.

Ingredients

BBQ Sauce

• 3 cups tomato ketchup
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• ¾ cup water
• ⅛ cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon black powder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ tablespoon basic bbq rub

Instructions

1. In a medium Saucepan over medium-high heat, make a gastrique by bringing the dark brown sugar, molasses, white vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to a gentle boil.
2. Once at a gentle boil, remove from the heat and add the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper and paprika powder. Let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in the ketchup and return to the stove, and simmer over low for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and add the basic bbq rub.
5. Let cool and then refrigerate for up to 1 month.

2.2.6

Tips

I have found that the cheaper ketchup like Hunts will give you a nicer sauce.

You can change the flavor easily by using your own favorite rub instead of my Basic BBQ Rub.

Related posts: