Kansas City Barbecue Sauce
In short: A thick, sweet and smoky tomato barbecue sauce with molasses, brown sugar, vinegar and spices, made in one pot in 30 minutes. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 95 kcal
Kansas City barbecue sauce is the style most people picture when they think of barbecue sauce: thick, dark, sweet and a little smoky, with enough vinegar to keep it lively. It clings to ribs, chicken and burnt ends and is brushed on near the end of cooking so the sugar does not burn. This version uses pantry ingredients, simmers in 30 minutes and keeps for weeks in the fridge.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook the grated onion for 3 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the ketchup, tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, chili powder, pepper, onion powder, cayenne and salt.
- Bring to a bubble, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until thick and glossy and reduced by about a quarter.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the liquid smoke. Taste, adding vinegar for more bite, sugar for more sweetness or cayenne for more heat.
- Cool the sauce and pour it into a clean jar. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
- To use, brush it over ribs, chicken or pork during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Tips
- The sauce spits as it simmers, so keep the heat low and use a deep pan. Burnt sugar tastes bitter.
- For a smoother sauce, blend it with an immersion blender. A tablespoon of bourbon stirred in at the end adds depth.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade barbecue sauce keep?
In a clean jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 3 weeks, helped by the sugar and vinegar. It also freezes well for 3 months.
When should I brush barbecue sauce on meat?
Brush it on during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. The sugar in the sauce burns over long, high heat.
How do I make the sauce less sweet or spicier?
Cut the brown sugar to 50 g (1/4 cup) and add a splash more vinegar for a tarter sauce. For heat, add cayenne or hot sauce a little at a time.
How long does it take to make Kansas City Barbecue Sauce?
About 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kansas City Barbecue Sauce?
About 95 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 95 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
