Tomato In Bbq Sauce: What's The Deal?

is there tomato in bbq sauce

BBQ sauce is typically made with tomatoes or tomato paste, but it doesn't always have to be. The four main types of BBQ sauce are vinegar and pepper, mustard, light tomato, and heavy tomato. While tomato-based sauces are the most common, there are plenty of recipes that use other ingredients as a base, such as pumpkin puree.

Characteristics Values
Base ingredient Tomato paste, Tomato sauce, Tomato puree, Pumpkin puree
Added for tanginess Apple cider vinegar
Added for sweetness Honey, Brown sugar, Maple syrup, Molasses
Added for flavour Worcestershire sauce, Smoked paprika, Liquid smoke, Salt, Black pepper, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Red pepper flakes, Olive oil, Cider vinegar, Paprika, Chili powder, Cumin, Coriander, Smoked salt, Green onion, Water

shungrill

Tomato-based barbecue sauce: a condiment primarily used with grilled meat or hamburger sandwiches

Barbecue sauce is a condiment primarily used with grilled meat or hamburger sandwiches. While there are many types of barbecue sauce, most commercial sauces are tomato-based.

Tomato-based barbecue sauces can be categorised into different regional styles. The Kansas City style is thick, sweet, and smoky, with a heavy tomato presence. The Memphis style is thinner, while Texas-style sauces are spicier and less sweet. The central Texas style used on beef includes beef drippings.

The first barbecue sauces in America were Carolina sauces based on butter, vinegar, and peppers, used primarily on pork. Tomatoes were added to barbecue sauce in Memphis, Tennessee, where a wider variety of meats, including beef, were barbecued. These sauces were sweetened with molasses and were relatively thin.

Tomato-based barbecue sauce is a bold combination of tangy, sweet, spicy, and smoky flavours. It should be used as a flavour enhancer rather than something that overpowers the meat. It should never be used during grilling, as the natural sugars will caramelise and burn the surface of the meat at high temperatures. Instead, it can be added at the end of cooking or at the table.

Tomato sauces can be made with any source of tomatoes, including ketchup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice, or whole tomatoes. The tomato element is added to a saucepan and simmered with apple cider vinegar, a sweetener such as brown sugar, and seasonings.

shungrill

Kansas City-style barbecue sauce: a thick, sweet, and smoky sauce

Kansas City-style barbecue sauce is a thick, sweet, and smoky sauce that is heavy in tomatoes. It is often bottled and sold as a generic "barbecue sauce" and is the most ubiquitous of all barbecue sauces.

Kansas City-style barbecue sauce is a classic, ketchup-based sauce that is a must-have for chicken, ribs, and more. It is rich from the molasses, bright from the acidic tomatoes and vinegar, and has just the right amount of heat from the chili powder.

The sauce is made from a tomato and molasses base, with brown sugar and apple cider vinegar added for a sweet and tangy zip. It is then infused with spices to give it a well-rounded flavour with a tiny kick of heat at the end.

Ingredients:

  • 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
  • Whisk to combine.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low to simmer.
  • Simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.

This sauce can be used immediately but is best when refrigerated overnight to allow the flavours to blend. It will last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

shungrill

Carolina-style barbecue sauce: a mustard-based sauce influenced by German settlers in South Carolina

Carolina-style barbecue sauce is a mustard-based sauce that stands out from the traditional tomato-based sauces. Its roots can be traced back to South Carolina and the German immigrants who settled there in the 1700s. The Germans brought with them a love of mustard, which became a staple in the region's cuisine, including barbecue sauce.

The distinct yellow mustard provides the sauce with its characteristic colour and tangy flavour. This mustard base is complemented by sweet ingredients such as honey and brown sugar, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. Apple cider vinegar adds a touch of acidity and fruity notes, while chipotle pepper in adobo contributes a subtle smokiness and heat. Ketchup, although not a traditional ingredient in Carolina barbecue sauce, adds depth and richness. The savoury complexity of the sauce is enhanced by Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper.

This style of barbecue sauce is versatile and can be paired with various grilled meats, including chicken, ribs, and pork chops. It is particularly well-suited to pulled pork sandwiches, a classic Carolina barbecue dish. The sauce's unique flavour profile, with its tangy, sweet, smoky, and spicy notes, makes it a favourite among barbecue enthusiasts.

The simplicity of the Carolina-style barbecue sauce recipe is another appealing feature. Unlike other barbecue sauces that require hours of simmering, this sauce is easy to prepare by simply mixing the ingredients together. It is also customisable, allowing individuals to adjust the sweetness, heat, or smokiness to their preference.

The influence of German settlers in South Carolina's culinary traditions, particularly their love of mustard, has left a lasting impact on the region's barbecue sauce. This mustard-based sauce, known for its bold and zesty character, has become a staple in the state and is recognised as an essential part of Carolina-style barbecue.

BBQ Sauce Storage: Fridge or Shelf?

You may want to see also

shungrill

Light tomato barbecue sauce: a variation of the vinegar and pepper sauce with added ketchup

The history of BBQ sauce in the USA can be traced back to four types of barbecue sauce that are usually used in basting and as a finishing sauce. In order of historical discovery, these are Vinegar and Pepper, Mustard, Light Tomato, and Heavy Tomato.

The first barbecue sauces in America were Carolina sauces based on butter, vinegar, and peppers, and were primarily used on pork. Tomatoes were not added to barbecue sauce until this style was developed in Memphis, Tennessee, where a wider variety of meats, including beef, were barbecued.

The third type of barbecue sauce, Light Tomato-based barbecue sauce, is a variation of the vinegar and pepper sauce with a little bit of ketchup added for sweetness. The most famous region for this sauce is Lexington, North Carolina.

Ingredients:

  • Ketchup
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Water
  • Brown sugar
  • Tamari or soy sauce
  • Yellow mustard
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Smoked paprika

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened (about 20 minutes).

The Ultimate Guide to BBQ Sauce Timing

You may want to see also

shungrill

Making barbecue sauce from scratch: using fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onion instead of ketchup or tomato sauce

Making barbecue sauce from scratch is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes, and you can add other ingredients to enhance the flavour. Here is a recipe for a barbecue sauce using fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onion instead of ketchup or tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are recommended for their bolder, sweeter flavour)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Honey or brown sugar
  • Tomato paste (optional)
  • Spices (e.g. smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, salt, cayenne)
  • Liquid smoke (optional)

Method:

  • Preheat your broiler to high.
  • Chop the onion and garlic, and place them on a baking tray with the tomatoes.
  • Broil the vegetables for 8-10 minutes, until they are slightly charred. This will add a smoky flavour to your sauce.
  • Allow the vegetables to cool, then blend them until smooth.
  • Simmer the sauce over medium-low to medium heat for 15-20 minutes to thicken it and cook the sugars.
  • Add your chosen spices and/or liquid smoke to taste.
  • Simmer the sauce for another 15-30 minutes to allow the flavours to blend.

Your barbecue sauce is now ready to use! You can use it as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a spread for burgers and sandwiches. It can also be frozen for later use.

Tips:

  • If you want to make a larger batch, you may need to simmer the sauce for longer.
  • If you want to reduce the number of fresh ingredients, you can substitute tomato juice, tomato sauce, or paste diluted with water for the fresh tomatoes.
  • You can also add other ingredients to customise your sauce, such as Worcestershire sauce, mustard, or molasses.

Making barbecue sauce from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and avoid added sugars and sodium found in processed foods like ketchup and tomato sauce. It is also a great way to use up fresh tomatoes and create a delicious, healthy sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, BBQ sauce is typically made with a tomato base. This can include ketchup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, or fresh tomatoes.

Other common ingredients include vinegar, sugar or sweeteners, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

Apple cider vinegar is most commonly used, but other types of vinegar can also be used.

Common sweeteners include brown sugar, honey, and molasses. Molasses also gives BBQ sauce a rich, caramel-like flavor.

Yes, there are different styles of BBQ sauce, including Light Tomato and Heavy Tomato.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment