Enhancing Store-Bought Bbq Sauce: Simple Tricks For A Tasty Twist

Store-bought barbecue sauce is convenient, but it often lacks the depth of flavour of a homemade condiment. The good news is that it's easy to improve a basic BBQ sauce with a few simple ingredients. Adding vinegar, hot sauce, or citrus juice can help to balance out the sweetness of the sauce, while spices like smoked paprika, chilli powder, cumin, or garlic powder can add depth and complexity. For a smoky flavour, you can try adding chipotle chillies or liquid smoke, but use the latter sparingly. Alternatively, you can thin out your sauce with fruit juices or alcohol, or add texture with chopped kimchi, bacon bits, or sautéed onions.

Characteristics of improving a store-bought BBQ sauce

Adding vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a popular choice for barbecue sauce as it has a fruity, super-tart taste that adds fullness and contrast to the sauce. It is the standard vinegar used in barbecue sauces.

Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar can be used if you want to balance the sweetness of the sauce without adding too much tartness. It has a more mild and subtle effect on the sauce.

Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar has a more mellow effect on the sauce. It is less tangy than apple cider vinegar but still adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sauce.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is another option for adding some tang to your sauce. It is often used in North Carolina-style barbecue sauce, which is known for its tangy, vinegar-based sauce.

When adding vinegar to your store-bought barbecue sauce, start with a small amount, such as a teaspoon or two, and then adjust to taste. You don't want to overpower the other flavours in the sauce, so it's important to add the vinegar gradually and taste as you go.

In addition to vinegar, you can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour of your sauce. For example, hot sauce can add some spice and kick, while mustard can add some extra tanginess. Fresh herbs like thyme or oregano, or chopped fresh jalapeño pepper can also be great additions.

Using spices

Spices are a great way to improve a store-bought barbecue sauce, adding depth and complexity to an otherwise dull sauce. The key to using spices effectively is to understand the flavour profile you are aiming for and to add spices that complement and enhance that profile. It is also important to add spices gradually, tasting as you go, to ensure you don't overpower the sauce.

A good place to start is with the spices that are commonly found in barbecue sauces: garlic or onion powder, chilli powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. These spices can add a subtle warmth and depth of flavour to the sauce. If you want to get a little more creative, you could try using different types of chilli powders, such as ancho chile powder, or dried herbs like rosemary, oregano, or parsley.

If you're looking for a more smoky flavour, smoked paprika, chipotle chilli powder, or liquid smoke can add a nice kick. Just be careful with liquid smoke, as it can be overpowering if you add too much. Alternatively, you could add some heat with hot sauce or chilli peppers, such as jalapeños or habaneros.

For a more unique flavour profile, you could experiment with spices like coriander, allspice, or cinnamon. These spices can add an unexpected twist to your sauce and make it truly your own.

When adding spices to store-bought barbecue sauce, it's important to taste as you go and add small amounts at a time. This will ensure that you don't overpower the sauce and that you create a well-balanced, harmonious blend of flavours.

Adding hot sauce

Some popular hot sauce options include Tabasco, Texas Pete, habanero sauce, and Sriracha. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try adding a hot pepper condiment like sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. These options will not only add spice but also bring unique flavours to your barbecue sauce.

When adding hot sauce, it's important to start with a small amount and taste as you go. This will help you avoid making the sauce too spicy. Additionally, if you're unsure about how a particular hot sauce will mix with your barbecue sauce, it's a good idea to do a separate taste test first.

If you want to enhance the flavour even further, consider adding other ingredients like vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, honey, or spices. You can also experiment with different types of barbecue sauce, such as a Memphis BBQ Sauce or a Texas-style sauce, to create a unique blend that suits your taste preferences.

Remember, the key to improving a store-bought barbecue sauce is to add ingredients gradually and taste as you go. So, grab your favourite hot sauce and start experimenting!

Adding sweetness

If your store-bought barbecue sauce is too spicy or tart, you can add a touch of honey or maple syrup to sweeten it. You can also use brown sugar, molasses, or honey, but be aware that maple syrup may be too delicate in flavour and require a lot to be used. Agave syrup is another option.

If you want to add a more complex sweetness, try adding something else alongside the sweetener. For example, add a teaspoon of crushed garlic, garlic or onion powder, a dash of cumin, and a pinch of curry powder to help everything blend together.

You can also add a small amount of mustard, which is vinegar-based, or citrus juice to cut through the sweetness and balance the flavours. To add a tangy flavour, add some apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.

If you want to add a smoky flavour, use smoked paprika, or liquid smoke.

Adding fresh herbs

Fresh herbs can be a great way to add flavour and depth to a store-bought BBQ sauce. If you're looking to improve your sauce with herbs, you could try using rosemary, oregano, thyme, or parsley. These herbs can be used to add an earthy, aromatic flavour to your sauce.

When adding fresh herbs, it's best to finely chop them to ensure they incorporate well into the sauce. You can also consider muddling or blending the herbs to create a purée, which will help infuse the sauce with flavour. If you're using woody herbs like rosemary or thyme, be sure to remove the leaves from the stems before adding them to your sauce.

The amount of fresh herbs you add will depend on your taste preferences and the strength of the herbs. Start by adding a small amount, tasting as you go, and adjust accordingly. It's easier to add more herbs than to try to dilute an overpowering herb flavour.

In addition to fresh herbs, you might also consider adding other ingredients to enhance your sauce. For example, you could include spices like smoked paprika, chilli powder, cayenne, coriander, or onion powder. Fresh or powdered garlic can also add a savoury kick to your sauce.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find the perfect flavour profile for your BBQ sauce. You can also try adding other ingredients like honey, molasses, or vinegar to balance out the flavours and create a truly unique sauce.

Frequently asked questions