Most American barbecue sauces begin with tomatoes and puree of tomatoes. After that, it's up to you and your imagination to create delectable showstoppers. Some chefs are incredibly secretive about their recipes, while others are eager to reveal an exotic ingredient that makes you wonder if the end result is indeed a barbecue sauce. The fun of making homemade barbecue sauce is that great surprises can result from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients for a Basic Sauce
The basic barbecue sauce is composed of ketchup and onions a bit of cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar added to the tomatoes and tomato puree.
Spicing It Up!
If the basic sauce just doesn't make you quiver, a world of surprises awaits in your kitchen cabinets. Try orange or pineapple juice mixed with molasses or even maple syrup. Did you know there is even a white BBQ sauce, which uses mayonnaise, vinegar, lemons, salt, pepper and sugar? Or how about apricot BBQ sauce, which combines tomato soup, brown sugar, apricot jelly, Italian dressing, garlic, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce?
Now reach into your refrigerator for the Dr Pepper and add sugar, ketchup, lemons, onions, Tabasco and liquid smoke. Voila!--Dr Pepper barbecue sauce, at your disposal! You can even make a BBQ sauce without the sugar by using a sugar replacement. Lemon barbecue sauce works well for chicken or fish; just mix together salad oil, lemon juice, salt, basil and Tabasco.
For a tantalizing taste of Jamaica, try mixing together tomato puree, water, onions, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, chili powder, pepper, cinnamon and ground cloves.
You can also try a barbecue rub, which is a dry mixture of herbs and spices you rub on the meat prior to cooking. A basic rub consists of garlic powder, salt and black pepper, but you can use whichever spices you like.
Some chefs insist that you steer clear of any ingredients that contain corn syrup. If you agree, you can use honey and molasses as your sweeteners. You could even use grape jelly!
For an Asian flare, mix together hoisin sauce, ketchup, sherry, garlic, ginger and soy sauce with a touch of water. And if you like beer, this combination will certainly tempt you: tomato paste, your favorite beer, brown sugar, white vinegar, cider vinegar, onion, garlic, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, butter, pepper, liquid smoke, dry mustard, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper.
Fun Facts About Barbecue
According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, the most popular meats to barbecue are steaks, hot dogs, burgers and chicken. The favorite ingredients for flavor are hickory, honey, tomato and mesquite. Corn and potatoes are the favored veggies at a barbecue, along with coleslaw.
Tags: , Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, along with, black pepper, chili powder