Barbecue Sauces

BBQ Sauces

The final step in the flavor ladder of fine barbecue. To most of us, the barbecue sauce is the deal maker or breaker, yet it's more involved than that. A good barbecue sauce is meant to compliment the meat, the flavors of the rub and the type of smoke. All these flavors should come together as one. That is, one fine barbecue.

Barbecue sauces begin with one of three bases. Tomato, mustard or vinegar are used as the base along with herbs and spices to round them off. Hot pepper, such as cayenne is added depending upon the level of heat or "spiciness" you're trying to achieve.

When creating your own sauce, keep in mind that you are looking for balance. A spicy rub with intense smoke flavor would be better served with a sweet barbecue sauce, whereas a a sweet rub and milder smoked flavored meat would do well with a spicy, vinegar based sauce. Remember, the flavors of great barbecue carry through from the original marinade into the rub that complements the particular type of meat that is complemented by the type of smoke flavor and they all eventually say hello to the barbecue sauce. Got that?

Once you begin to understanding how all these flavors come together to form one, you'll see that there's no such thing as a "go to" store bought sauce that can serve all styles of barbecue. After time, you will have developed several sauces, each with its own goal in mind.

Start with some of these and tweak as needed. Keep notes, make your evaluations and adjust accordingly. Also, understand that a sauce has one flavor out of the mixing pot and another once its served up on a piece of meat. Trial and error with much experimentation is the name of the game here. Above all, have fun with it. That's truly what barbecue is all about!

Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

Typical Kansas City style barbecue is tomato-based with a touch of smoke flavor. Goes well with brisket, pork as well as chicken.

4 cups ketchup

1 cup cider vinegar

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon chipotle chili pepper

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon non iodized salt

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon allspice

Memphis-Style Barbecue Sauce

A great Memphis style sauce that goes well with ribs, pulled pork, pork loin or chicken.

3 cups ketchup

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1/4 cup prepared yellow mustard

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons liquid smoke

2 tablespoons granulated onion

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

From Paul Kirk's Championship Barbecue

Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce

When in South Carolina, mustard barbecue sauce is the norm with pulled pork sandwichs. Give it a try on all pork and chicken. A sweet version can be made by adding a half a cup of honey.

1 cup prepared yellow mustard

1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cayenne

Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

If you're unfamiliar with white barbecue sauce, don't be surprised. It's really only known in northern Alabama. I guarantee that if you give it a try, you'll come back to it again. It's tangy and goes well with just about anything. The locals even use it to dip their fries in.

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup seasoned rice vinegar

2 tablespoons black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon non-iodized salt

1/2 teaspoon horseraddish

Hearty Barbecue Sauce

A thick and rich barbecue sauce. By using tomato paste and sauce, this barbecue sauce has a more pronounced tomato flavor. Goes well with any type of meat

1 6-oz can of tomato paste

1 8-oz can of tomato sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons onion powder

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Kentucky Whiskey Barbecue Sauce

A shot or two of whiskey can really take the edge off. Try a little in your barbecue sauce while you're at it! The additional flavor the whiskey adds, really goes well with pork and chicken.

1 Cup of bourbon whiskey

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons apple juice

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon Tobasco Sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Sweet Cherry Barbecue Sauce

Fruit is a wonderful thing to make barbecue sauces with. Fresh fruit is best, but frozen, jellies or even pie fillings can be used.

1 12-oz jar (1-cup) cherry preserves

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup molasses

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon non-iodized salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Carolina Vinegar Barbecue Sauce

Certain regions of the Carolinas and into northeast Georgia prefer this vinegar-based barbecue sauce. Good on all pork and especially pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches. Goes well with steamed vegetables. Mandatory when I make "Greens"

1 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

cayenne pepper to taste