Ultimate Kansas City Barbecue Sauce
This rich and tangy Ultimate Kansas City Barbecue Sauce is perfect for enhancing your grilling experience. Known for its sweet, smoky flavor profile, this versatile sauce will elevate any meat dish. As you prepare this sauce, you'll blend a harmonious mix of ingredients, including ketchup, molasses, and spices, to create a delightful coating for ribs, chicken, and more. Share with family and friends for a truly memorable barbecue feast!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ketchup
2 cups (none)
tomato sauce
2 cups (none)
brown sugar
1 1/4 cups (none)
red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups (none)
molasses
1/2 cup (none)
hickory-flavored liquid smoke
4 teaspoons (none)
butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
chili powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
celery salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (none)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
black pepper, coarsely ground
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients: ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, molasses, hickory-flavored liquid smoke, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery salt, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and coarsely ground black pepper.
2
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture until it begins to bubble, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
3
Once bubbling, reduce heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 20 minutes. For a thicker consistency, you can simmer for additional time, while for a thinner sauce, lessen the simmering duration. You can also add a splash of water to thin it out as needed.
4
During the last 10 minutes of your meat cooking time, generously brush the sauce onto your choice of meat, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
5
After use, store any leftover sauce in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for future barbecues.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Kansas City Barbecue Sauce?
It is a rich and tangy barbecue sauce known for its sweet and smoky flavor profile, specifically designed to elevate grilled meats like ribs and chicken.
What are the primary ingredients in this sauce?
The sauce is made from a blend of ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, molasses, hickory-flavored liquid smoke, butter, and a variety of spices.
How long does it take to simmer the sauce?
The sauce should be allowed to simmer on low heat for 20 minutes once it has reached a bubbling point.
How can I make the barbecue sauce thicker?
To achieve a thicker consistency, you can simmer the sauce for additional time beyond the recommended 20 minutes.
How can I thin out the sauce if it is too thick?
You can thin the sauce by reducing the simmering duration or by adding a splash of water as needed.
When should I apply the sauce to the meat?
Generously brush the sauce onto your choice of meat during the last 10 minutes of the cooking time.
How should I store leftover barbecue sauce?
Leftover sauce should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Does this recipe include butter?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
What kind of vinegar is used in this Kansas City sauce?
This recipe specifically uses red wine vinegar to provide its tangy flavor.
Is this sauce spicy?
The sauce contains chili powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, which provide a mild heat, though it is balanced by the sweetness of brown sugar and molasses.
What provides the smoky flavor in this recipe?
The smoky flavor comes from the addition of 4 teaspoons of hickory-flavored liquid smoke.
What type of sugar is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 cups of brown sugar for a deep, caramelized sweetness.
Which spices are used in the dry mix?
The spices include garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery salt, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and coarsely ground black pepper.
Can I use this sauce on chicken?
Yes, this sauce is excellent for chicken, as well as ribs and other grilled meats.
How do I prepare the ingredients before cooking?
Most ingredients require no preparation other than measuring, though the butter should be melted before being added to the saucepan.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total used to create this sauce.
Is there tomato sauce in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 cups of tomato sauce in addition to 2 cups of ketchup.
What makes it a 'Kansas City' style sauce?
Kansas City style sauces are characterized by their thick, tomato-based consistency and a balance of sweet and smoky flavors, often using molasses and brown sugar.
Does the recipe include cinnamon?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is included to add a subtle warmth to the flavor profile.
How much molasses is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of molasses.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is to combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
At what heat should I start cooking the mixture?
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the mixture begins to bubble.
How much paprika is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of paprika.
Does the sauce use fresh or powdered onion and garlic?
The recipe uses garlic powder and onion powder to ensure a smooth texture.
How much ketchup do I need?
You will need 2 cups of ketchup for this recipe.
Can this sauce be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready for your barbecue.
How much liquid smoke is used?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of hickory-flavored liquid smoke.
What is the serving size for this sauce?
The specific serving size is not provided, but the recipe uses approximately 5-6 cups of liquid and sugar base, making a large batch.
Is celery salt a necessary ingredient?
Yes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of celery salt are used to add savory depth to the sauce.
Why is the sauce stirred while heating?
Stirring ensures that all ingredients, especially the sugars and butter, are well incorporated and prevents burning.