| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 50 min |
| Prep: | 15 min |
| Cook: | 35 min |
| Yield: | Makes about 1 quart |
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 slightly heaping tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch ground cloves
- 2 cups ketchup
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup dark molasses
- 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons English-style dried mustard
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, red pepper, allspice, and cloves and cook, stirring, until paste is dark brick red, about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, water, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, black pepper, and bay leaf. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the flavors come together, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf before using.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 277 |
| Total Fat | 1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 57 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 1492 mg |
Reviews
My favorite BBQ sauce recipe. I sometimes add a little honey or fruit preserves if I’m looking for something sweeter. Also, usually make a double or triple batch and freeze it in pint containers for later use.
Only bbq sauce I make – all year round!
We received shredded barbecue-flavored chicken instead of shredded rotisserie chicken in our grocery order. There was no BBQ sauce and I had none in my pantry. Found this recipe and WE LOVED IT! So glad they messed up my order. I made a half-recipe and that was perfect for 8 large sandwiches using 16 oz package of shredded chicken. Also, I did not have molasses so I added more dark brown sugar & raw honey to taste. Next time, I’ll have molasses. All other ingredients were used. IT WAS SO GOOD I’ll never buy BBQ sauce again. It was not quite as sweet as bottled Kansas style sauce and that’s good! My husband was soooo happy even though he had to wait for 30+ minutes for me to cook the sauce – it was worth the wait A little tang from the vinegar, spicy from the red pepper & mustard, and warmth from the allspice, cloves, etc. We can’t wait to use it on pork! Thank you! No more bottle-sauce for us!
This is a very good sauce, as-is. For my taste, I like a little less liquid (maybe half the water)) and a little more saltiness (double the soy sauce). All personal tastes are different, and, as stated, this should please most palates as it is.
I was looking for a little different sauce with my beef ribs tonight. Being from the Northeast, it is difficult to figure out what you want/like. I didn’t use tomato products but the spices made this sauce unbelievable!!!! Can’t wait t use it on many other dishes…
Not too bad. I tweaked it a little the second time I made it.
Used 1/2 cup ketchup and 1 1/2 cup tomato paste instead of 2 cups ketchup.
All I had was smoked paprika. I added 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp liquid smoke (mesquite), and 1 tsp extra hot horseradish. Came out good. A little tangy and not too spicy.
I cut the recipe in half as looking at it, it makes a LOT! Added minced onion when cooking the garlic and spices. IMO, the teeny bit of clove and allspice added a nice smoky depth. Didn’t have chili powder, so used Hot Hungarian paprika and sweet paprika. Thick, flavorful and will make again! Amazing over pulled pork with homemade cole slaw, baked beans and marinated cucumber, tomato and red onion salad.
Have to agree with MSH305: the cloves and allspice gave this sauce an odd taste. And it could have used a little more spice for our taste. Fortunately we served it as part of smoked, BBQ beef sandwich, and the flavor the beef carried the dish. Neither DH nor I cared for the sauce; won’t make it again.
This is my go to bbq sauce every time. Been using this recipe for over 2 years. I cut back on the chili power, the red pepper flakes and omit the soy sauce but other then that its perfect!
For an authentic KC-style BBQ sauce, leave out the cloves and allspice, they add an odd aroma and aren’t necessary. The soy sauce should be optional too. For the garlic I recommend finely chopping or substituting garlic powder/granules. This is a thick sauce! Cut the recipe in half (at least) for your first time trying it because it makes a lot. Experiment like I did and you’ll find the adjustments that make your perfect KC sauce!