DIY Series: Smoky Barbecue Sauce

When I have family or friends traveling from abroad, they always kindly remember to ask me if I need any ingredients. No one asks me if I need perfumes or shoes or clothes. They know my needs! Who needs to smell good when you can make your food smell amazing with smoke in a bottle. 

I love this recipe for barbecue sauce. It isn't too tangy, isn't too sweet and has a lovely burn from the hot sauce. I added a lot more than what I wrote in the recipe, and we loved it!

It is really simple to make. You just throw it all into a pot and let it simmer till for 10 minutes, let it thicken up a little and you have an awesome homemade barbecue sauce. 

Smoky Barbecue Sauce 
Loosely Adapted from chow.com

Ingredients  

2 1/2 cups ketchup 

1/4 cup dark brown sugar 

3 tbsp honey 

2 tbsp prepared mustard

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsp (use less or more to taste) hot sauce (I used Tabasco)

1/2 tsp white pepper (can use black)

2 tsp liquid smoke (optional)

3 tbsp apple cider (or white) vinegar 

1 tbsp cornstarch

Method 

1. Combine all the ingredients except the cornstarch in a heavy bottom saucepan. 

2. Stir well and allow it to come to the boil while stirring frequently. 

3. Reduce to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes. 

4. Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tbsp water and add into the saucepan. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens ever so slightly. 

5. Turn off the stove, and allow the sauce to cool before transferring to an airtight jar. I prefer to store the sauce in the refrigerator. 

This sauce is lovely on so many things. Chicken wings, chicken tenders, burgers and even as a dipping sauce. The liquid smoke is not mandatory but it does add a lovely flavor to the sauce.

Apart from saving a penny or two, I like to make my own sauce because then I can always control the flavors. Sometimes I want a tangier sauce and so I increase the vinegar a little. Or the sugar if I want a sweeter sauce. Or I add chopped onion and garlic instead of the powders when I want it for certain sandwiches. I love having that freedom. 

I hope you try this one!