Description
This homemade barbecue sauce recipe offers a rich, smoky, and tangy flavor perfect for enhancing grilled meats, sandwiches, and more. Made from simple pantry staples like tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and spices, it’s simmered to a luscious thickness and can be preserved with a water bath canning process for long-lasting freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Barbecue Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Canning Supplies
- Sterilized canning jars with lids
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all the barbecue sauce ingredients: tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, developing a rich and flavorful profile.
- Sterilize Jars: While the sauce simmers, sterilize your canning jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes to ensure they are clean and free of bacteria.
- Fill the Jars: Carefully pour the hot barbecue sauce into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2-inch of headspace at the top for expansion during processing.
- Seal the Jars: Wipe the rims of the jars clean to ensure a proper seal, place the lids on securely, and process the jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes to preserve the sauce safely.
- Cool and Store: Let the jars cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, store them in a cool, dark place to maintain the sauce’s freshness and flavor for months.
Notes
- Ensure jars are properly sterilized to prevent spoilage.
- The sauce thickens as it cools; adjust simmer time for your preferred consistency.
- You can adjust the sweetness or tanginess by varying honey or vinegar amounts slightly.
- Store unopened jars in a cool, dark place; refrigerate after opening.
- This sauce pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and as a dipping sauce.
