9.4 Barbecue sauces
-------------------
[I'm confused. I hear about barbecue sauces, dipping sauces, finishing
sauces and barbecue glazes. What's the difference?]
Editor--
The term 'Barbecue Sauce' as used in this FAQ includes: 'Finishing
Sauces', 'Dipping Sauces' and 'Table Sauces'. These types of sauces are added to the meat
after it is removed from the smoker. A barbecue 'Glaze' is a sauce containing some form of
sugar (white, brown, or honey) that is usually put on the meat a few minutes before the
meat is removed from the smoker or just after the meat is removed while it is still hot.
The sugar components of the glaze melt or caramelize from the heat, giving the meat a
shiny appearance. A finishing sauce is usually added immediately after the meat has been
removed from the smoker. A dipping sauce is placed in a bowl for the eater to dip his or
her barbecue into before it is eaten. A table sauce is one that sits on the table in a
bowl or a bottle that the eater can put directly on his barbecue or on his plate.
--------------------
[Can someone give me a few recipes for a good barbecue glaze?]
Danny Gaulden--
Here is my rib and pork finishing glaze recipe.
Danny's Mustard Glaze
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1/3 |
cup |
brown sugar |
|
1/3 |
cup |
yellow mustard |
|
1/4 |
to 1/3 cup |
apple cider vinegar |
|
Mix the following ingredients together in a saucepan and
heat until it simmers. Let it sit until the ribs or pork butt are ready to baste. You can
substitute beer for the vinegar if you wish.
==============
Rick Day--
Take your favorite barbecue sauce and add some honey in the ratio 2
parts honey to 8 parts sauce. Heat it in a saucepan for a few minutes and apply it to your
ribs about 15 minutes before you take them off the grill.
==============
Garry Howard--
Here's a great barbecue glaze. Coat your spareribs with hot honey about
15 minutes before they come off the smoker. This will give them an excellent glaze and
incredible taste.
==============
Jack Daniel's Rib Glaze
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
cup |
Jack Daniel's whiskey |
|
1/2 |
cup |
dark brown sugar |
|
1 |
cup |
catsup |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
1/4 |
cup |
vinegar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
lemon juice |
|
3 |
cloves |
garlic |
minced |
1/2 |
teaspoon |
dry mustard |
|
1/4 |
teaspoon |
black pepper |
|
1/4 |
teaspoon |
salt |
|
Combine all ingredients: Mix well. Brush ribs with a thin
coating of glaze and place on grill. Continue to baste when turning ribs. Makes enough for
2 racks of 7 to 10 ribs each. Also great on chicken wings.
-------------------
[I looked in the BBQ List recipe archives and there are hundreds of
barbecue sauces. I don't know where to start. Can I have a few recipes for some really
good barbecue sauces?]
Jeff Lipsitt--
Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 1/3 |
cups |
brown sugar |
|
1 |
15-ounce can |
tomato sauce |
|
1 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
1 |
large |
onion, chopped |
|
6 |
tablespoons |
Dijon mustard |
|
1 1/3 |
tablespoons |
thyme |
dried, crumbled |
1 |
teaspoon |
salt |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
cayenne pepper |
|
Combine all in medium saucepan. Simmer 15 minutes to
blend flavors. Season with pepper to taste.
(Can be made two days ahead. Cover, chill.)
Source: Bon Appetite - Nov. 1992
===============
Wyndell Ferguson--
Fergy's Barbecue Sauce (Tomato based)
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
2 |
cups |
catsup |
|
1 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
1 |
large |
onion |
chopped finely |
4 |
tablespoons |
chili powder |
|
2 |
cups |
water |
|
1 |
tablespoons |
garlic powder |
|
1 |
tablespoons |
Worcestershire Sauce |
|
1/4 |
cup |
molasses |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
Louisiana style hot sauce |
|
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for
30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Store in jar or squirt bottle.
=================
Bill Wight--
Here is one of my favorite barbecue sauces.
Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
3/4 |
cup |
light brown sugar |
packed |
1 |
package |
chili seasoning* (1 1/4 oz.) |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
dry mustard |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
ginger |
ground |
1/2 |
teaspoon |
allspice |
ground |
1/4 |
teaspoon |
cayenne pepper |
|
1/4 |
teaspoon |
mace |
ground |
1/4 |
teaspoon |
black pepper |
freshly ground |
1 |
cup |
white distilled vinegar |
|
1/4 |
cup |
molasses |
|
1/4 |
cup |
water |
|
32 |
ounces |
ketchup |
|
3 |
teaspoons |
liquid smoke (optional) |
|
*(Garry Howard's chili powder recipe is good here)
In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, chili seasoning, mustard,
ginger, allspice, cayenne, mace, and black pepper. Add the vinegar, molasses, water, and
liquid smoke. Stir until dry ingredients are dissolved. Add the ketchup and stir to mix.
Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly to avoid spattering.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let
cool to room temperature. Use immediately or cool to room temperature, cover, and
refrigerate for up to 1 week.
This sauce (and most barbecue sauces) improves in taste if allowed to
sit overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Source: Paul Kirk, in "Willingham's World Championship
Barbecue"
===================
Dreamland Barbeque In Tuscaloosa
Here is the "Almost-Dreamland" recipe which was concocted by a
writer for "Men's Journal" that is declared to be very close to the real recipe
by Ms. Bishop-Hall:
Almost Dreamland Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
28-ounce can |
tomato puree |
|
1/3 |
cup |
yellow mustard |
|
3 |
cups |
water |
|
1 1/2 |
cups |
cider vinegar |
|
1/4 |
cup |
dark corn syrup |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
lemon juice |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
sugar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
brown sugar |
packed |
2 |
tablespoons |
chili powder |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
dry mustard |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
paprika |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
ground red pepper |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
onion powder |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
salt |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
ground black pepper |
|
1/2 |
teaspoon |
garlic powder |
|
In a large saucepan, whisk together tomato puree and
mustard until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to
low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm. Sauce may be refrigerated
for several weeks.
================
Garry Howard--
Memphis Magic Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
3 |
tablespoons |
butter |
|
1/4 |
cup |
onion |
minced |
1 |
cup |
white vinegar |
|
1 |
cup |
tomato sauce |
|
1/4 |
cup |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
sugar |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
salt |
|
1/2 |
teaspoon |
black pepper |
freshly ground |
1/8 |
teaspoon |
cayenne |
|
|
dash |
Tabasco sauce |
|
The center of mid-South barbecue, Memphis offers a range
of sauces that take the high middle ground between Eastern and Western styles. Like this
version, they are often medium-bodied mixtures, moderate in sweet, heat, and everything
else except taste.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and
sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the onions begin to turn golden. Stir in the remaining
ingredients, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the mixture thickens, approximately 20
minutes. Stir frequently.
Use the sauce warm. It keeps, refrigerated, for a couple of weeks.
Source: "Smoke and Spice" by Cheryl and Bill Jamison
==============
Rock McNelly--
I, like most of you, have a few favorite sauce recipes that I like. But
being as lazy as I am, one of my favorites is a doctored-up version of Cattlemen's Smoky
barbecue sauce. It's cheap, at about $7.00 a gallon, and readily available at Sam's, and
many other wholesale warehouses, and it's good straight out of the jug!
Normally, I'll add butter (margarine) to add a bit of creaminess to it,
and then brown sugar to sweeten it up just a bit. This has been one of my all time
favorite standbys. Well, this past weekend, I spiced it up a bit by adding roasted garlic
pepper, and chipotle sauce to it along with the butter and brown sugar. I, along with my
guests were really pleased with the results.
The addition of the chipotle sauce added a deep, earthy taste to it with
just enough "after glow" to liven it up. The roasted garlic pepper added a great
warmth of garlic to the blend. I suppose the warmth was accomplished by the
"pepper" part of it.
Rock's Doctered-Up Cattleman's Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
quart |
Cattlemen's Smoky Barbecue Sauce |
|
1/2 |
cup |
margarine |
|
1/2 |
cup |
brown sugar |
packed |
2 |
teaspoons |
roasted garlic pepper - to taste |
|
1 1/2 |
tablespoons |
chipotle sauce - to taste |
|
Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar and stir until
melted. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes. Can be served
immediately, but best if allowed to chill over night.
Note: The chipotle sauce is not the adobo kind that has been discussed
on the List in the past. This is the Bufalo (their spelling) brand, "Chipotle Mexican
Hot Sauce" that's made in Mexico, and distributed by the Herdez Co. out of Carlsbad,
CA. It's labeled as "very hot" but don't believe it! It's pretty mild.
==================
Belly's 'Kick-Ass' Barbecue Sauce -- Texas Style
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
quart |
V8 Juice |
|
1 |
quart |
beef stock (de-greased) |
|
1/2 |
cup |
yellow mustard |
|
1/2 |
cup |
apple cider |
|
1 |
cup |
dark molasses |
|
1/3 |
cup |
black pepper |
|
1/3 |
cup |
Hungarian sweet paprika, fresh |
|
1/4 |
cup |
yellow onion minced |
|
1 |
big |
Worcestershire Sauce |
|
1 |
cup |
Hatch NM chilies or any mild chilies |
roasted and peeled, minced |
1/2 |
cup |
pressed garlic |
|
Mix together V8 juice and beef stock. Then add mustard,
cider, molasses, black pepper and paprika as you stir the sauce. Put mixture on stove to
simmer. After 1/2 hour, add Worcestershire sauce, minced yellow onion, chilies, and
garlic. Let the sauce simmer for about 2 hours in your smoker to pick up the good smoke
taste. Stir and taste often as it simmers. After about three hours total simmering time,
taste and add some salt if needed. If you want it hotter, add some Louisiana Hot Sauce.
You can put it in a blender to smooth it out. Let the sauce cool and put it in a gallon
jug and let age at least a week in the refrigerator before using.
Serve on the side with brisket, ribs, chicken or over steak.
===============
Here's the winning recipe from June's "Best of the Web Recipe
Contest".
Great Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1/2 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
1/4 |
cup |
water |
|
1 |
cup |
onion |
finely chopped |
1 |
small |
lemon |
unpeeled, cut into thin strips |
1/4 |
cup |
light brown sugar |
packed |
2 |
tablespoons |
prepared mustard |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
salt |
|
1/4 |
teaspoon |
red pepper flakes |
crushed |
1 |
dash |
hot pepper sauce |
like Texas Pete, to taste |
1 |
cup |
tomato catsup |
|
1/4 |
cup |
chili sauce |
|
In a large sauce pan, mix the vinegar and water. Stir in
the onion, lemon, sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes, and hot
pepper sauce.
Stir over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Check and stir occasionally.
Stir in the catsup and chili sauce. Increase the heat and return the
sauce to a full boil. Remove the sauce from the heat and let cool about 15 minutes before
using.
This makes a great barbecue sauce for brushing on steaks and
chicken--use lemon strips and all! Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an
hour before grilling. Baste the meat with additional sauce while grilling. Serve hot off
the grill with extra sauce for dipping.
Yields about 1 pint.
Source: Contributed on-line by Cyndi Whitley.
==============
Kurt Lucas--
Here's a spicy sauce I spent a long time trying to perfect. I think it's
great and I'm sure you'll agree if you give it a try.
Kurt's Jalapeno Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
tablespoon |
canola oil |
|
1 |
large |
yellow onion |
finely chopped |
4 |
large |
jalapenos |
finely chopped |
6 |
cloves |
garlic |
minced |
1 |
tablespoon |
peppercorns |
ground |
1 |
tablespoon |
cumin |
ground |
1 |
tablespoon |
crushed red pepper |
ground |
1 1/2 |
tablespoons |
paprika |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
oregano |
crushed |
4 |
tablespoons |
New Mexican chile |
ground |
3 |
tablespoons |
ground mustard |
|
1 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
12 |
ounces |
beer |
|
28 |
ounces |
catsup |
|
1/2 |
cup |
brown sugar |
|
1/2 |
cup |
blackstrap molasses |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
cayenne pepper sauce |
|
1 1/2 |
tablespoons |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
1 1/2 |
tablespoons |
kosher salt |
|
|
|
juice of 1 lime |
|
Sauté onions, garlic, and jalapenos until soft. Add all
of the dry spices and sauté about 3 minutes, scraping pan bottom. Deglaze pan with the
cider vinegar. Add remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours.
NOTES : I only added 1/4 cup of molasses while the sauce was simmering.
After the sauce cooled I decided it needed more molasses and added 1/4 cup more. I think I
liked the way the molasses tasted being added without cooking. Try doing it this way and I
think you will be pleased.
--------------------
[How about some sauces for pulled pork?]
Tom Solomon--
Here's a barbecue sauce I came up with while fooling around in the
kitchen on a rainy Sunday afternoon in the Virginia mountains.
Silver Pig Style Hot Table Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
9 |
teaspoons |
malt vinegar |
|
7 |
teaspoons |
water |
|
3 |
teaspoons |
cayenne pepper |
|
3 |
teaspoons |
paprika |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
nuoc nam |
|
1 1/2 |
teaspoons |
Texas Pete hot sauce |
|
1 1/2 |
teaspoons |
black pepper |
|
1/2 |
teaspoon |
garlic powder |
|
1/2 |
teaspoon |
onion powder |
|
This is an approximation of the hot table sauce served at
the Silver Pig North Carolina-style barbecue restaurant in Madison Heights, Virginia. If
you don't have nuoc nam (Vietnamese or Thai fish sauce), add one more teaspoon each of
malt vinegar and water, and substitute one teaspoon of salt in lieu of the nuoc nam.
Simply combine all ingredients, shake well, and let sit. Give the bottle
a good shake before using.
===============
Tommy Bowen--
This is my pulled pork sauce. A little sweet, a little tart, and
everyone here loves it.
Tommy Bowen's Pulled Pork Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
32 |
ounce |
cheap ketchup |
|
2/3 |
cup |
apple cider vinegar |
|
1 |
cup |
sugar |
|
1 |
stick |
margarine |
|
1 |
cup |
lemon juice |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
black pepper |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
crushed red pepper flakes |
|
Put in a pot and bring to a boil. Keeps for weeks (months
even) in the refrigerator. Good stuff.
================
Tom Solomon--
Here's a Lexington North Carolina style barbecue finishing sauce I've
come up with. It's a mild version, and pretty straightforward. If you don't have nuoc nam,
substitute 2 teaspoons of salt.
Lexington-Style Finishing Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
2 |
cups |
white vinegar |
|
2 |
cups |
apple cider vinegar |
|
2 |
cups |
water |
|
1/3 |
cup |
ketchup |
|
1/8 |
cup |
Texas Pete Hot Sauce |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
sugar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
red pepper flakes |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
nuoc nam |
|
Mix ingredients and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes,
stirring occasionally. Use as a finishing sauce for pulled pork barbecue.
==============
Editor--Here's some more pulled pork sauces submitted by other List
members--
Eastern North Carolina-Style Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
cup |
distilled white vinegar |
|
1 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
sugar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
crushed red pepper flakes |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
hot red pepper flakes |
|
|
|
Salt and ground pepper to taste |
|
Mix all ingredients, including salt and pepper, to taste,
in medium bowl.
Adapted from a recipe in Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby's
"The Thrill of the Grill" (Morrow, 1990), this is a classic pepper-spiked
vinegar sauce. Use on pulled pork.
================
Mid-South Carolina Mustard Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
6 |
tablespoons |
Dijon mustard |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
maple syrup or honey |
|
4 |
teaspoons |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
hot red pepper sauce |
Texas Pete or Tabasco |
1 |
cup |
vegetable oil |
|
2 |
teaspoons |
salt |
|
1 |
dash |
ground black pepper |
|
Mix all ingredients, including pepper to taste, in medium
bowl. The pulled pork tossed in this mustard sauce was the hands-down favorite at a recent
party. Though we prefer the flavor of Dijon mustard in this sauce, feel free to substitute
other mustards to suit your taste.
===================
Western South Carolina-Style Barbecue Sauce
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
1 |
tablespoon |
vegetable oil |
|
1/2 |
medium |
onion |
minced |
2 |
medium |
garlic cloves |
minced |
1/2 |
cup |
cider vinegar |
|
1/2 |
cup |
Worcestershire sauce |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
dry mustard |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
dark brown sugar |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
paprika |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
salt |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
cayenne pepper |
|
1 |
cup |
ketchup |
|
Heat oil in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion
and garlic; sauté until softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in all the remaining ingredients
except ketchup; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, then add ketchup. Cook, stirring
occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
Served originally at Mama Rosa's, a long-time barbecue pit restaurant in
North Philadelphia, this recipe is adapted from Jim Tarantino's outstanding book
"Marinades" (Crossing Press, 1992).
--------------------
[My understanding is that sauces with catsup and sugar in them would
burn horribly if added at the beginning of grilling or barbecuing. Does anyone have
anything to say about that?]
Rick Thead--
You're right. However, if the sauce is thin enough, then it'll run off
and there won't be enough sugar to burn. Generally, a tomato or sugar-based sauce should
be put on at the end of cooking, for just a few minutes.
==============
Editor--
A really good place to learn about barbecue sauces is in Paul Kirk's
book, "Championship BBQ Sauces". Highly recommended. See review in Section 24.
