Smoky Southern Barbecue Sauce
Unlock the rich and deep flavors of Southern barbecue with this Smoky Southern Barbecue Sauce. Perfect for grilling season or any backyard cookout, this sauce is a delightful blend of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors. Made with a combination of ketchup and tomato sauce for a rich base, complemented by brown sugar and molasses for sweetness, and balanced with red wine vinegar for a zesty kick. The splash of hickory-flavored liquid smoke adds that irresistible barbecue essence that’s quintessential for any grilled dish. Whether slathered on ribs, brushed on chicken, or as a dip for burgers, this sauce is sure to become your go-to recipe. Make a batch and share it with friends and family – they'll be begging for the recipe!
48
Servings
52
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ketchup
2 cups (none)
tomato sauce
2 cups (none)
brown sugar
1 1/4 cups (packed)
red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups (none)
unsulphured molasses
1/2 cup (none)
hickory-flavored liquid smoke
4 teaspoons (none)
butter
2 tablespoons (unsalted, melted)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
chili powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (none)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh coarse ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, and butter. Stir well to blend all ingredients.
2
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
3
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer; if you prefer a thinner consistency, check sooner.
4
If needed, you can thin the sauce further with a little water to achieve your desired texture.
5
During the last 10 minutes of cooking for your meats, generously brush on this barbecue sauce to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
0.2g
Fat
13g
Carbs
0.2g
Protein
11.5g
Sugar
67mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Southern Barbecue Sauce?
It is a rich and deep flavored Southern barbecue sauce featuring a blend of tangy, sweet, and smoky notes, ideal for grilling and backyard cookouts.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 48 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in the sauce base?
The base is made from a combination of 2 cups of ketchup and 2 cups of tomato sauce.
How much sugar is in each serving?
Each serving contains 11.5g of sugar.
What gives the sauce its smoky flavor?
The smoky essence comes from 4 teaspoons of hickory-flavored liquid smoke.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or longer if a thicker consistency is desired.
Can I adjust the thickness of the barbecue sauce?
Yes, you can simmer it longer to thicken it or add a little water to thin it out to your desired texture.
When is the best time to apply the sauce to meat?
Generously brush the sauce on during the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of red wine vinegar.
Is there molasses in this Southern barbecue sauce?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of unsulphured molasses for sweetness and depth.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 52 calories.
Does the recipe include butter?
Yes, it uses 2 tablespoons of unsalted, melted butter.
What spices are used to season the sauce?
The seasoning blend includes garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and fresh coarse ground black pepper.
Is this sauce spicy?
It has a zesty kick provided by cayenne pepper, chili powder, and paprika, but it is balanced by sugar and molasses.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 13g of carbohydrates per serving.
What can I serve this barbecue sauce with?
It is excellent on ribs, chicken, or as a dip for burgers.
How much sodium is in one serving?
One serving contains 67mg of sodium.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total.
What type of liquid smoke is recommended?
The recipe specifically recommends hickory-flavored liquid smoke.
Is there any protein in this sauce?
Yes, there is a small amount of protein, specifically 0.2g per serving.
Can this sauce be used for parties?
Yes, it is tagged as an ideal party food and great for cookouts.
How much brown sugar is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 cups of packed brown sugar.
What type of black pepper should I use?
Fresh coarse ground black pepper is recommended for this recipe.
Does the sauce contain cinnamon?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is included in the spice mix.
What is the total fat content?
The total fat content is 0.2g per serving.
How much ketchup is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of ketchup.
Is this a homemade sauce?
Yes, it is a homemade barbecue sauce recipe.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
How much cayenne pepper is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Can I use this as a meat marinade?
Yes, the sauce is suitable for use as a meat marinade.