There are few things more enjoyable than an afternoon spent grilling in the backyard. For many, the key to a great summer is spending as much time as possible with family and friends enjoying some BBQ. But, getting everything just right can be a challenge, especially for those that consider it a point of pride to have the best BBQ sauce around.
This quick and easy recipe for homemade BBQ sauce takes all of the guesswork and fuss out of your next backyard outing.
What You’ll Need
- 2 Tablespoons Melted Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Minced Onion
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Teaspoons Mustard Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Celery Seed
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Cold Water
- 1 Cup Ketchup
In a pinch some of these ingredients can be omitted or substitutes can be used. For instance, margarine can be used in place of the unsalted butter., bottled lemon juice can replace the fresh squeezed lemon juice and honey can be used instead of the brown sugar.
How To Prepare the BBQ Sauce
Melt the butter over a low flame and combine it with the minced onion, green bell pepper, water, ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, celery seed, salt and mustard powder. Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring it frequently. Allow it to cool completely before using.
This sauce will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Variations to Try
An adventurous cook can play with this basic recipe to come up with any number of unique and tasty sauces. While adding ingredients, always keep in mind the items being grilled. Certain BBQ sauces work better with particular types of meats and vegetables. And, start by making small changes to the sauce since cooking has a tendency to enhance various flavors.
For a smoky sauce...
Add 2 tablespoons of liquid smoke, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and increase the brown sugar to ¼ a cup. If needed, add up to ½ cup more of water.
For a spicier sauce...
Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ½ cup of vinegar and 1clove of fresh garlic, smashed in a garlic press. Start small with the cayenne pepper and taste frequently to avoid ending up with a sauce that is too spicy to enjoy!
Classic cola sauce….
Add 1 cup of coke in place of the water, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon of honey, and ½ cup of orange juice to the basic recipe. For this variation, simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before using.
Spicy, traditional, smoky and cola BBQ sauce are just a few varieties to try this summer.
There are so many different ways to make BBQ sauce, you never really have to use the same one twice! And, don’t’ worry, BBQ sauce is forgiving, so start adding flavors that appeal to you and be creative!
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