How to Make Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue is one of the favorite summer family activities, as it is lots of fun. I'm sure, most of you do remember the barbecue parties you had when you'll were kids. The barbecue sauce recipes can contain a range of ingredients, right from tomato to fruit, mustard and vinegar sauces. Although these sauces can be bought from the stores, nothing can beat the happiness, if you know how to make barbecue sauce yourself and have the guests asking for more.

How to make Barbecue Sauce...

... from Scratch
Contrary to the belief, making barbecue sauce at home is very easy and simple as well. Most of the ingredients used to make this sauce, are easily found in any normally functioning kitchen.

Ingredients

• Onion (finely chopped) 3
• Garlic Cloves (chopped) 12
• Red Wine Vinegar ½ cup
• Brown Sugar 1 cup
• Olive Oil 2 cups
• Bacon Fat 1 cup
• Jalapeños (seeded and chopped) 2
• Red Bell Peppers (seeded and chopped) 2
• Chilies 2
• Cayenne Pepper ½ teaspoon
• Chili Powder 6 tablespoons
• Tomato Juice 1 cup
• Tomato Puree 1 cup
• Mustard 2 tablespoons
• Worcestershire Sauce 2 tablespoons
• Ketchup 8 oz
• Molasses ½ cup
• Oregano 4 teaspoons
• Lime Juice 4 oz

Method

• In a saucepan melt the bacon fat.
• When the fat melts add olive oil to it and heat it over medium heat.
• Then add onion, jalapeños, peppers, cayenne, chili powder and oregano and sauté the ingredients for about 8 minutes, till all the ingredients are softened.
• Apart from the lime juice add all the ingredients and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, till all the flavors blend.
• At the end add the lime juice.

... with Ketchup
This is also a simple barbecue sauce recipe. In this recipe we will make use of tomato sauce.

Ingredients

• Vegetable Oil 2 tablespoons
• Onion (finely chopped) 1
• Garlic Cloves (minced) 3
• Tomato Ketchup 1 ½ cups
• Cider Vinegar ½ cup
• Worcestershire Sauce ¼ cup
• Chili Powder 1 tablespoon
• Sugar 1/3 cup
• Cayenne Pepper ½ teaspoon

Method

• Warm the oil over medium heat in a saucepan. When the oil heats up add onion and garlic and let the onion sauté for about 5 minutes.
• Now add the ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, chili powder and cayenne.
• Stir all the ingredients well, reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer, but partially cover the sauce till it thickens.
• The process to thicken the sauce will take about 20 minutes. You will notice, that the sauce reduces to 2 ½ cups, when ready.

... for Meatballs
If you want to make meatballs using barbecue sauce, here is the meatball sauce recipe. Once you have baked the meatballs, pour the sauce over the meatballs and return the meatballs to the oven again. Let the meatballs bake again with the barbecue sauce for about 30 minutes, so that the sauce does reach well inside the meatballs and all the flavors are well-distributed.

Ingredients

• Onions (chopped) 2 medium
• Olive Oil 2 tablespoons
• Pureed Tomatoes ¾ cup
• Beef Stock ½ cup
• Steak Sauce ¼ cup
• Worcestershire Sauce ½ cup
• Vinegar 2 tablespoons
• Instant Coffee 2 tablespoons
• Brown Sugar ½ cup
• Lemon Juice ¼ cup

Method

• In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat and then add onions to it.
• When the onions start to become brown, add all the other ingredients and bring to a slow boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Make sure, you keep stirring the sauce in between, else the sauce can get burnt.

Now that you know, how to make barbecue sauce, you can invite guests over for a barbecue party, this summer. I am sure your guests will keep asking for more.