Getting Ready For the 4th

Lots of us will be doing lots of cooking this coming weekend. I like to make most things from scratch but there are some things I just will not consider buying. One of them is barbecue sauce. Store bought barbecue sauce is nasty. Read the ingredients if you don't believe me. Almost all of them start with tomato by products and high fructose corn syrup. They have very chemical after tastes not to mention how expensive they are. Why not try making your own? It is quick, cheap and easy.


I start by sauteing one diced onion in about 1/4 cup of olive oil.


While the onion cooks, measure out 3 T. chili powder, 1 T. cracked black pepper, 2 tsp. salt and 2 T. granulated garlic.


In a separate bowl mix 2 cups of tomato sauce or organic ketchup or regular cheap store bought ketchup but then you get back into the high fructose corn syrup. Whatever, it is still leaps and bounds better than the alternative. Add 1/2 cup yellow mustard, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup steak sauce, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp. hot sauce and 1 cup of dark brown sugar. I also add about 1 tsp.of liquid smoke. Whisk this all together.




After the onion has cooked for a few minutes, stir in the dry spices.


Stir the onions and spices and cook for a few minutes until the spices give off their scents.


Then pour the liquid mix into the onions.


Stir well and cook over medium high heat.


Keep stirring. It will smell fabulous and start to bubble round the edges.


Once it is bubbling all over the surface you will see it is thickening. Cook and stir a few more minutes and then remove and pour into a jar. Refrigerate it until you are ready to use it. This is so good that anything you use it on will taste great. You don't have to just use it on ribs. You can use it as a condiment to replace ketchup. Use it as a dip for wings or chicken fingers. Once you taste it you will want to find any way you can to get it into your mouth! Try it....you'll like it!!!


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Comments

gosh this looks so good...i know that that stuff in the grocery is pretty bad...

i was just going through my recipe box and pulled out this for 4th of july weekend...

Aunt Rose From Santa Cruz Pork Sauce: ( i use it on everything)

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 T. butter
1 t. liquid smoke ( my favorite part)
1 t. ginger
1/2 t. paprika
salt
1 small onion, minced

Simmer everything together for 30 minutes.

great on bbqed chicken too

looking forward to the 4th of july
little teddy's first one...

kary
Yes, You are so right! Never buy ready made BBQ sause, nor pasta sauce. For some reason that just can´t make them taste good! Always this chemical aftertaste and that´s just nasty.

I can imagine all tasty food You´ll prepare for July 4:th :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.
This sounds great and easy and looks delicious. Thanks.

On the 4th we'll be eating BBQ ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, iced tea and garlic Cuban bread.

Have a great day.

xoxo to "Teddy Firecracker"
Anonymous said…
Joyce, is this your secret sauce recipe from before? I made it to go on ribs and last Sunday grilled some T-bones and it's fantastic on them too. Will try this weekend on chicken. Really good!
Wow, so simple! I need to make this! ♥
brokenteepee said…
I always (as you know) end up canning some when the tomatoes come in. I use cherries or peaches or even apples. Whatever I have extra of to flavor it. I've given up on most store bought. Except Bob's. I like Bob's
Sharlene T. said…
Store bought is just not the same for so many foods... and home made doesn't take that much longer... this is a great recipe... thanks for sharing... now, we'll be having the same holiday together, separately!...

Twitter: SolarChief
Mystica said…
Wow! the photographs look just amazing.
Melodie said…
Ohhh...I have been wanting to try to make my own BBQ sauce...now I have a place to start!
The Captain said…
Joyce, thank you for the candle stick holder (its awesome, I have it on my shelf in my study) and my treats. I love packages in the mail! Thanks again.
Nydia said…
I always end up drooling when I come here, Jaz! Super yummy recipe, sigh...

Have a great Wednesday.

Kisses from us.
Teresa said…
I'll have to try this. I keep saying that because you have so many great recipes here. Now if only I can find the time to try them ALL.
Diandra said…
This sounds terrific! Will try it the next time we have a big BBQ planned. Or maybe just for fun. :-)

However, does this work without liquid smoke as well? Never heard of it, had to google it, and as far as I can see I would have to order it at some gourmet online shop. Besides, articles I read say it's not too healthy.
LisaDay said…
My husband makes our barbecue sauce as well. It smells great cooking.

Happy July 4. I hope you guys have a great holiday.

I have left an award for you on my blog.

LisaDay
http://www.thisandthatday.blogspot.com/
William Bezek said…
I wholeheartedly concur, store bought sucks and homemade rocks. I use smoked paprika because liquid smoke is questionable on the MSG which gives me massive headaches.
This sounds delicious! I don't barbecue many ribs but chicken is fair game here- I'm sure the sauce is delicious on chicken as well. I'm going to try a batch this weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe. :)
Carole said…
You've got great colour on that sauce, Jaz. Cheers