We try to replace as many processed products with homemade ones as we can. When we'd raised, butchered, and roasted our own pig, I couldn't very well serve it with store bought barbecue sauce. (Okay, I could have, but I didn't want to)
My neighbor makes one of the best barbecue sauces around and she gave me her basic recipe and I tweaked it a little. I like my barbecue sauce on the sweet side with just a bit of smoke.
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Pioneering Today-Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce
2 cups ketchup (You can use tomato paste and dilute it with water, or boil down stewed tomatoes)
1 cup brown sugar
1 finely chopped onion
5 cloves minced garlic (we use our own homegrown garlic)
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (if you prefer a tangy sauce, then up this to taste)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce (I use Bragg's Amino Acids in place of soy sauce)
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Mix all of this in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir and reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer for an hour, until sauce has thickened and turned a pretty dark red. Use immediately, store in fridge or freeze
What's your favorite homemade replacement for store bought processed foods?
Pioneering Today-Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup (You can use tomato paste and dilute it with water, or boil down stewed tomatoes)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 5 cloves minced garlic (we use our own homegrown garlic)
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (if you prefer a tangy sauce, then up this to taste)
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce (I use Bragg's Amino Acids in place of soy sauce)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp liquid smoke optional)
Instructions
- Mix all of this in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir and reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer for an hour, until sauce has thickened and turned a pretty dark red. Use immediately, store in fridge or freeze
This looks amazing- I can almost smell it! Our favorite is homemade salsa!!!
Becky, I’m a homemade salsa girl, too. I like to scramble it in with my eggs in the morning.
Melissa,
Thank you so much for your book, Pinterest page, FB, and extras! I am so excited to have found you, and while I enjoyed your book VERY much, I found myself weeping through it as it reminded me so much of my mom who passed last March. She was into EVERYTHING and would have just loved you and your ideas. I am looking forward to traveling this road with you, and trying all these newer, healthier versions of sauces, recipes, etc. I love homemade salsa, and jellies! Our favorite is Watermelon Jelly (tastes just like Jolly Ranchers) and Jalepeno jelly.
In Christ,
Amy
Amy,
I’m so happy to have found you, too! I’m so sorry for your Mom’s passing and your loss.
Thank you, i have also found several Ketchups without corn syrup and one barbecue sauce (which is no longer available)we have a corn allergy in the family. Thanks for the sub for Worcestershire sauce and soy also have a seafood allergy.
Is this recipe safe to can? It seems pretty similar to the recipe in the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. Was also thinking of replacing the liquid smoke with smoked paprika.
Hi Melissa:
I’m wondering if the BBQ sauce can be “pressured canned” or if the only preserving method is freezing? I’ve been looking for a good BBQ sauce that I could make and give as Father’s Day gifts for family & friends.
Thanks, Sandra