Homemade BBQ Sauce

It’s oh so easy to buy bottled, but Homemade BBQ Sauce is just so much better! If you’ve ever made your own sauce you know that the flavor and texture simply can’t be matched. Creamy, thick, sweet and sticky, BBQ that you customize will have the perfect balance of spicy and sweet – because you made it! Brush your sauce on anything you throw on the grill and have the best family BBQ ever. Kids can even get in on the sauce action by helping collect the ingredients you’ll need for my recipe – and help out with the stirring of the thickening bbq sauce..

This recipe is great because you may already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. The one ingredient that you may have to seek out is the Black Strap Molasses. But rest assured this ingredient is crucial. And molasses is quite healthy too! Check out the nutrition qualities of this sticky black goo: Blackstrap Molasses – Goo that’s Good for You!
And since you won’t use the entire bottle of molasses – you can surely use it to make recipes like ginger cookies.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

makes about 1 1/2 cups

4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp Black strap Molasses
2 1/2 Tbsp agave syrup or brown sugar
2 tsp lime or lemon juice
2 tsp Liquid Smoke
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp spicy mustard
2 tsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp organic tomato paste
1 1/2 Tbsp Arrowroot Powder (or 2 tsp corn starch)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp ketchup
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne (adjust for heat)

Optional Tweaks:

For a sweeter sauce add more agave or 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Taste test sauce and add more salt if you prefer
For a sweeter citrus flavor replace the lime/lemon juice with 2 tsp orange juice
Double the recipe for more sauce
Minced garlic will add a warm spicy bite to your sauce.

Directions:

1. Combine all liquid ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients one at a time. Make sure to add the arrowroot powder slowly to avoid clumping. I like to dissolve it into the citrus juice.
2. Set aside until ready for use. You can also simmer on your stove on low heat if you plan on using the sauce immediately for brushing onto grilled foods. If you are using as a glaze for sauteed foods “simmered” right in the sauce, you can skip the simmer in pot step.
3. Store in fridge if you are not using immediately.
Use: brush on grilled food – or use as a stove top simmer sauce, marinade or glaze. I adore this stuff on bbq peaches, veggies, tofu and tempeh. My bbq tofu instructions are here.
This BBQ Sauce recipe is featured in my 30 “Man Food” Recipes – Veganized for Father’s Day

And check out the Babble Father’s Day – My Husband’s Fave Recipes slideshow here!

http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/06/18/homemade-bbq-sauce/