Homemade BBQ sauce - thefarmingchefs

BBQ Sauce

Looking for a delicious and healthy BBQ sauce that’s free from preservatives? Look no further! Our homemade BBQ sauce is made with fresh, homegrown ingredients, perfect for pairing with pasture-raised chicken or your favorite grilled meats. In this recipe, we’ll guide you step-by-step to create a smoky, tangy sauce that’s not only mouth-watering but also nutritious. Whether you’re following a regenerative agriculture lifestyle or just want a cleaner option for your BBQ, this recipe is for you! Serve it up with locally-sourced meats and enjoy a true farm-to-table experience.

Making BBQ sauce

BBQ sauce has roots that trace back to indigenous peoples and early colonizers in the Americas, where cooking meat over an open flame was a common practice. The first versions of BBQ sauce likely evolved from European, African, and Native American culinary traditions, incorporating vinegar, mustard, and other simple ingredients. Over time, regional variations emerged, from tangy vinegar-based sauces in the Carolinas to sweet, tomato-based sauces in Kansas City, shaping the diverse BBQ culture we know today.

Serves:

6 x 750 ml

Time to Prepare:

20 min

Time to cook or cure:

2 hours

Skill

sauce making, canning

Serves:

6 X 750 ml

Time to Prepare:

20 min

Time to cook or cure:

2 hour

Skills:

Sauce making, canning

Ingredients & Tools

Ingredients

4 kg sauce tomatoes (san marzano or saucy for instance)
700 gram onion
320 gram dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon crushed cloves
1/2 teaspoon of yellow mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
3 tablespoons of pimentada (paprika concentrate)
3 tablespoons of smoked paprika powder
8 cloves of garlic
5 teaspoons of salt
375 ml of apple cider vinegar

Tools

Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Large sauce pot, heavy bottom preferred
Wooden spoon
High speed blender
Spatula
6 x 750 ml glass bottles with lids, sterile
Wide mouth funnel
Jar grabber

Useful guidelines

Here are some useful guidelines based on your homemade BBQ sauce recipe:

Use Fresh, Organic Ingredients: Prioritize organic tomatoes, garlic, onions, and spices to enhance flavor and avoid preservatives. Fresh, local produce also aligns with regenerative and sustainable cooking practices.
Balance Sweet and Tangy: Adjust the balance of sweeteners (like honey or maple syrup) and acids (like vinegar or lemon juice) based on your preference. Taste as you go to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
Slow Simmer for Depth: Simmer the sauce on low heat for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and deepen. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
Storage Tips: Since it’s preservative-free, store your BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the fridge and use it within 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
Versatility: This BBQ sauce isn’t just for chicken—use it on beef, pork, or even roasted vegetables for a tasty, smoky finish. It can also be a great marinade or dipping sauce!

These guidelines should help users enjoy their preservative-free BBQ sauce while keeping it fresh and versatile!

Directions

Simply follow these steps in order to make BBQ sauce:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Sterilize the bottles and lids by boiling them or using a dishwasher’s sterilization setting. Slice the onions and chop the garlic in advance so they’re ready to go.

Step 2: Cook the Tomatoes

Introduce the 4 kg of tomatoes into a large pot on medium heat. No need to peel or seed them. Add the chopped garlic and all the dry spices (1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1/2 teaspoon crushed cloves, 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seed, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder). Add the sliced onions and stir to combine.

Step 3: Simmer the Ingredients

Simmer the mixture on low heat until the tomatoes soften, about 30-45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 4: Add Sweetness and Smokiness

Once the tomatoes are soft, add 320 grams of dark brown sugar. Then add 3 tablespoons of red pepper concentrate (or unsmoked paprika powder). Add 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika powder. Stir the mixture well to blend in the sugar and spices, allowing the sauce to become fragrant and smoky. Add 4 teaspoons of salt, stirring again.

Step 5: Simmer Again

Simmer the sauce for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.

Step 6: Add the Vinegar

Add 350 ml of apple cider vinegar (or more if you prefer a tarter sauce). The vinegar helps lower the pH, making the sauce shelf-stable. Aim for a total of 375 ml of vinegar in the recipe for a balanced tartness. Let the sauce continue to simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Watch for the sauce to reduce by about 1/4 in volume.

Step 7: Blend the Sauce

Blend the sauce carefully (in batches, if necessary) until it’s smooth. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a countertop blender. Return the blended sauce to the cleaned pot. Bring it back to a simmer, stirring to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 8: Adjust Seasonings

Taste the sauce and adjust the salt or vinegar as needed. If the sauce is too sweet or lacks tartness, add more vinegar to taste. Adjust salt if necessary (the total could be up to 5 teaspoons).

Step 9: Final Reduction

Simmer the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes, ensuring all flavors meld together and the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Step 10: Bottle the Sauce

Fill the sterilized bottles with the hot BBQ sauce, leaving a small gap at the top. Tightly secure the lids to ensure a good seal.

Step 11: Water Bath Canning

Place the filled bottles in a tall pot or water bath canner. Make sure the bottles are submerged, with the water covering the lids by at least 1 inch. Boil the bottles for 15 minutes to properly seal and preserve the sauce. Be careful when handling hot bottles—they may be slippery and unstable when upside down.

Step 12: Cool and Store

Let the bottles cool overnight before handling. Once cooled, store the BBQ sauce in a cool, dark place like a pantry. It will be shelf-stable for up to 1 year.

Now your smokey BBQ sauce is ready to enjoy anytime!