Why buy barbecue sauce when you can design your own?
Barbecue sauce is one of the most versatile sauces out there — it can be served as a dipping sauce or a topping, brushed onto protein and vegetables during cooking, or stirred into beans and shredded meat after cooking.
Further contributing to its versatility is the fact that there are so many styles found throughout the United States, from sweet and tomatoey to thin and vinegary, to thick and creamy. And while you can find plenty of bottled barbecue sauces, making your own is simple and provides a range of flavor and texture possibilities that taste worlds better than store-bought. Even with their basic ingredient lists, all of these sauces will give any food a boost of bold, tangy flavor.
Servings: 4-6 (Makes 2 cups)Start to finish: 30 minutesThis sauce can be used on just about anything. For a thinner, smoother texture, strain the sauce after it has finished cooking.1 tablespoon vegetable oil1 onion, chopped fineSalt and pepper1 garlic clove, minced1 teaspoon chili powder1¼ cups ketchup6 tablespoons molasses3 tablespoons cider vinegar2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce2 tablespoons Dijon mustardHeat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and pinch salt and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and chili powder and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.Whisk in ketchup, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, and mustard. Bring sauce to simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to about 2 cups, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)
