Deepening Bbq Sauce: Tips For A Richer, Darker Sauce

A good barbecue sauce can make or break a meal. While store-bought sauces can be convenient, they often lack depth of flavour and contain additives such as high fructose corn syrup. Making your own barbecue sauce allows you to control the ingredients and customise the taste to your liking.

The key to a great barbecue sauce is balancing the sweet, tangy, smoky, and spicy flavours. The base is usually tomato-based, but other options include mustard/vinegar or even mayonnaise. To make your sauce darker, you can add ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, liquid smoke, or smoked paprika.

So, if you're looking to elevate your barbecue game, grab a saucepan and start experimenting with different ingredients to create a dark and delicious barbecue sauce that will impress your family and friends.

Use dark brown sugar

Using dark brown sugar is a great way to darken your BBQ sauce and add a rich, sweet flavour. It is a key ingredient in Gordon's Dark BBQ Sauce, which also includes Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke.

To make Gordon's Dark BBQ Sauce, start by adding a 32oz bottle of ketchup to a large stock pot. Then, add one cup of dark brown sugar, three tablespoons of yellow mustard, a quarter cup of Worcestershire sauce, a tablespoon of hot sauce, a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder, a tablespoon of liquid smoke, and half a teaspoon of smoked paprika.

Place the pot over medium heat and stir the ingredients together as the sauce heats up. Continue stirring the sauce for about 10 minutes to ensure the brown sugar dissolves. You will need to stir it constantly as the sauce is thick and prone to bubbling over. Once the sauce has heated enough for the flavours to meld, remove it from the heat.

You can also try Bobby Flay's Barbecue Sauce, which includes two tablespoons of packed dark brown sugar, along with other ingredients like onion, garlic, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chipotle, and ancho chile powder. This sauce also involves pureeing the mixture in a food processor or blender to achieve a smooth, thick consistency.

If you are looking for a simpler recipe, you can try a basic BBQ sauce that includes dark brown sugar, along with tomato sauce, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, chipotle chilli powder, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simply combine the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened.

Using dark brown sugar will not only add a rich sweetness to your BBQ sauce but also contribute to a desirable darker colour.

Add liquid smoke

Adding liquid smoke to your barbecue sauce is a great way to give it a darker tint and a smoky flavour. Liquid smoke is simply wood smoke condensed in water, so it is a natural way to add a smoky taste to your sauce.

Liquid smoke is readily available in grocery stores, usually found in the spice section near the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. It is an easy way to add a hint of smoke flavour to your sauce, without having to go to the trouble of smoking the ingredients or the sauce itself.

When adding liquid smoke to your barbecue sauce, you will want to use it sparingly. A little goes a long way, and you don't want the taste to be overpowering. Start with a small amount, taste, and then add more if needed. You can always add more, but it is difficult to remove the taste if you add too much.

Liquid smoke is a great way to add a smoky flavour to your barbecue sauce, especially if you are short on time or don't have access to a smoker. It is a quick and easy way to add depth of flavour to your sauce, and can be a useful ingredient to have on hand.

Include Worcestershire sauce

Adding Worcestershire sauce is a great way to darken your BBQ sauce and add some extra flavour. It is a common ingredient in many BBQ sauce recipes and adds an irresistible umami taste to the mix.

Worcestershire sauce is a great way to balance out the sweet, savoury, and acidic flavours in your sauce. It is a must-have ingredient to add depth to your sauce. You can add a quarter to a half cup of Worcestershire sauce to your recipe, depending on how strong you want the flavour to be.

If you are making a vegetarian BBQ sauce, you can replace the Worcestershire sauce with tamari or soy sauce, which will provide a similar savoury flavour. You can also use liquid smoke to add a smoky flavour to your sauce, which pairs well with the Worcestershire sauce.

You can also add other ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and mustard to enhance the flavour of your sauce. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and find the right balance of flavours for your taste preferences.

Try adding pineapple juice

If you're looking to add a tropical twist to your barbecue sauce, pineapple juice is a great way to go. Not only will it add a sweet and tangy flavour to your sauce, but it also has a secret weapon: an enzyme called bromelain that will help tenderize any meat you marinate with it.

Ingredients:

• 200 ml pineapple juice (from a regular-sized juice box)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 pinch salt (to taste)
• 1-2 tbsp corn starch

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients except for corn starch and water to a medium pot.
• Bring to a boil and reduce to medium-low, simmering for 10-15 minutes until flavours come together.
• Mix equal parts corn starch and water. Slowly add to the sauce and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
• Serve with pork, chicken, or beef.

This recipe should make around 30 tablespoons of lip-smacking, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Enjoy!

Experiment with spices

Spices are a great way to add depth of flavour to your BBQ sauce, and can also be used to darken the colour. Here are some spices you can experiment with to take your sauce to the next level:

Smoked Paprika

This is a must-have spice for BBQ sauce according to some. It adds a smoky flavour and a rich, dark red colour. Smoked paprika is made from pimiento peppers that have been dried over oak fires, giving them a distinctive smoky taste and deep red colour. If you can't get your hands on smoked paprika, regular paprika will also add a red hue to your sauce.

Celery Salt

Celery salt is a common ingredient in marinades and can be used to add a savoury note to your BBQ sauce. It is made from ground celery seeds and salt and has a strong, salty taste with a hint of celery flavour.

Cumin

Ground cumin adds an earthy depth to your sauce. It has a strong, distinctive flavour that can be described as nutty, peppery, and bitter all at once. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Cayenne Pepper

If you like your BBQ sauce spicy, cayenne pepper is a great addition. It will add a good amount of heat and a deep red colour. Cayenne pepper is made from ground, dried red chilli peppers, so it packs a punch in the spice department.

Garlic Powder and Onion Powder

These spices add a savoury, umami flavour to your sauce. They have a more subtle flavour than fresh garlic or onion, but still add depth and complexity to your sauce.

Dry Mustard

Dry mustard adds a tangy, sharp flavour to your sauce. It is made from ground mustard seeds and has a strong, pungent taste. It can be used to add a little bite to your BBQ sauce.

Other Spices

You can also experiment with other spices such as chilli powder, dried herbs, black pepper, or oregano to add unique flavours to your sauce.

When adding spices to your BBQ sauce, start with a small amount and taste as you go. It's easier to add more spice than to take it away, so it's best to add a little at a time until you get the flavour and colour you're looking for.

Frequently asked questions