The Gas Grill Review and Gas Grill Rating Guide - Helping you choose the Best Gas Grill

How To Make BBQ Sauce

Use this search feature to quickly find the information you're looking for.

Do you know how to make BBQ sauce? Barbecue without barbecue sauce would be like a salad without salad dressing. Yes, there are some BBQ gurus that add marinades or dry rubs to certain barbecued food, and then skip adding BBQ sauce to the meat (in order to sustain the flavors). But in most situations, barbecue sauce is a must-have ingredient when grilling or barbecuing meat.

But not all BBQ sauce is alike. In fact, different regions throughout the US have become world-famous for the distinct flavor of their BBQ sauces. Having a basic knowledge about the different flavors of the different regions will arm you with new ways of adding some pizzazz to your barbecued beef, chicken, and pork. Here are some of the most popular varieties:

Georgia BBQ Sauce - If you want your BBQ sauce to have a unique zing, then try bourbon BBQ sauce from Georgia. It's a thick, rich sauce that includes a special ingredient that you probably wouldn't expect: Jack Daniel's! Yes, that's Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey.

Kansas City BBQ Sauce - You haven't truly lived until you've tried BBQ and BBQ sauce from Kansas City. What's so special about this sauce? It's a tomato-based sauce that has a thick consistency and sweet taste (thanks to the special ingredient of molasses). If you prefer spicy or tangy BBQ sauces, then you should probably look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a sweet BBQ sauce, then this is the one for you! Here's how to make BBQ sauce Memphis Style.

Memphis BBQ Sauce - If you're looking for a balanced sauce, then head down to Memphis (or a restaurant that specializes in Memphis BBQ). This sauce borrows from the best of BBQ sauces from other regions, to create a perfect blend that isn't overly sweet, tangy, or spicy. It's just right! Here's how to make BBQ Sauce Memphis Style

Example Ingredients:
    - 1 tablespoon butter
    - 1/4 cup chopped onion
    - 1.5 cups of ketchup
    - 1/4 cup chili sauce
    - 4 tablespoons brown sugar
    - 4 tablespoons molasses
    - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
    - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    - 1 tablespoon liquid hickory smoke
    - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    - 1/2 teaspoon salt
    - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    - 1 teaspoon chili powder
    - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Saute the chopped onion in butter until golden then add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil then simmer until thickened.

How To Make BBQ Sauce - North Carolina Style - The common characteristics of North Carolina BBQ sauce include a thinner consistency, and a tangier flavor. Some of the common ingredients include vinegar, sugar, chili pepper and black pepper. The combination of these ingredients is what gives the sauce its tanginess.

St. Louis BBQ Sauce - Though Kansas City BBQ tends to get more press than St. Louis BBQ, you'll definitely want to meet this sauce in St. Louis. While Kansas City sauce is usually somewhat sweet, St. Louis BBQ sauce typically has more balance. After one bite of meat that's been topped with this sauce, you'll experience the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.

How To Make BBQ Sauce - Texas Style BBQ Sauce - It's been said that everything's big in Texas, and that include the flavor in its BBQ sauces! In the tradition of Tex-Mex cuisine, Texas BBQ sauce tends to be super spicy and less sweet than other sauces. It often includes various types of hot peppers, and some cumin.

Example Ingredients:
    - 16 oz can tomato sauce
    - 1/2 cup water
    - 1/4 cup vinegar
    - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    - 1/2 onion, pureed
    - 1 tablespoon minced garlic (pureed)
    - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    - 1 tablespoon black pepper
    - 1 tablespoon paprika
    - 1 teaspoon Tobasco sauce
    - 1 teaspoon chili powder
    - 1 teaspoon dry mustard
    - 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
    - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Add ingredients to pot and simmer for 30 minutes or until desired thickness.

If you're interested in how to make BBQ sauce, consider this rundown of some distinct sauces from various regions in the US. While the consistencies and flavors of the areas differ, the nation is united by its devotion to BBQ and BBQ sauce.