The Frugal Gourmet's Southern Barbecue Sauce
Bold, tangy, and rich with smoky undertones, *The Frugal Gourmet's Southern Barbecue Sauce* is a budget-friendly masterpiece perfect for elevating your next backyard cookout. Crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar, this DIY BBQ sauce balances sweetness, a touch of heat from cayenne, and a kiss of smokiness with liquid smoke. In just 30 minutes, this simple yet flavorful blend simmers to perfection, delivering a silky, versatile sauce that pairs beautifully with ribs, chicken, pulled pork, or even as a dipping sauce for fries. With its homemade charm and robust Southern flavor profile, this easy barbecue sauce recipe is destined to become your go-to for any grilling occasion.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Ketchup
- 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar
- 0.25 cup Yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 0.5 cup Water
Directions
Step 1
In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and water. Stir well to combine.
Step 2
Add the brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and honey to the saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3
Stir in the liquid smoke, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the seasonings.
Step 4
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
Step 6
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more sugar for sweetness or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat, if desired.
Step 7
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
Step 8
Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1060.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 980.4 |
| Total Fat 3.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3074.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 241.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 195.3g | |
| Protein 4.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 190.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 904.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories