The Ultimate Chili Sauce Guide For Your Bbq

Chili sauce is an essential component of a good barbecue, and there are many options to choose from. The type of chili sauce you use will depend on your personal preference for sweetness, spiciness, and smokiness. You can make your own chili sauce or buy it pre-made. Pre-made options include Sweet Baby Ray's Brown Sugar Hickory BBQ Sauce and Chappell Hill BBQ Sauce. If you want to make your own, you can follow a recipe and adjust the ingredients to your liking.

Sweet BBQ sauce with brown sugar, garlic and tomato sauce

Sweet BBQ Sauce with Brown Sugar, Garlic, and Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dark brown sugar
• Molasses
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Seasonings: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Water

Optional Ingredients

• Liquid smoke
• Tomato puree or sauce
• Cumin
• Hot sauce

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a small 2-quart saucepan.
• Stir all the ingredients and combine.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat.
• Simmer over low heat for about 18 to 20 minutes, uncovered, until thickened to taste. To prevent the bottom from burning, stir every few minutes.
• As it simmers, taste and adjust to taste.

Taste Adjustments

• Sweeter: Add more brown sugar.
• Thicker and sweeter: Add more molasses and ketchup, and simmer for 5 additional minutes.
• More tangy: Add more vinegar.
• Thinner: Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time.
• More flavour: Add more Worcestershire sauce or dijon mustard.
• Smokier: Add more smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke.

Storage

• Make ahead and store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Substitutions

• Apple cider vinegar: distilled white vinegar.
• Dijon mustard: regular yellow mustard.
• Dark brown sugar: Light brown sugar. Do not use granulated sugar.

Spicy-sweet BBQ sauce with jalapeno or habanero pepper

Spicy-Sweet BBQ Sauce with Jalapeño or Habanero Pepper

A spicy-sweet BBQ sauce with jalapeño or habanero pepper is a perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours. This sauce pairs well with ribs, chicken, or pulled pork sandwiches. It is also great on anything from BBQ chicken wings to grilled pork chops.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Peppers (jalapeño or habanero)
• Garlic
• Tomato sauce or ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Honey (optional)
• Brown sugar
• Bourbon (optional)
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Ground mustard
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

First, heat some olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and peppers and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Next, add the remaining ingredients, including the tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey (if using), brown sugar, bourbon (if using), cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, ground mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. For a thicker sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Otherwise, strain the sauce into a serving container.

Finally, serve the sauce immediately, or let it sit to allow the flavours to develop further. Store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Customisation

Feel free to customise this sauce to your preferred level of heat and sweetness. For a spicier sauce, use habanero peppers or even ghost peppers. For a sweeter sauce, increase the amount of honey or brown sugar. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder or ghost pepper powder.

Hickory smoke BBQ sauce

Flavour Profile:

Food Pairings:

Homemade vs. Store-Bought:

You can either purchase ready-made hickory smoke BBQ sauce from stores or make it at home. Store-bought options offer convenience and are widely available, but making your own sauce allows you to customise the flavour to your preference. Homemade sauces also let you control the ingredients, ensuring no fillers or artificial additives are used. It's a great option if you want a healthier, more natural product.

Recipe Overview:

Creating your own hickory smoke BBQ sauce at home is a rewarding experience. The process typically involves cooking down a variety of vegetables and spices until they form a thick, shiny sauce. Common ingredients include red onions, olive oil, garlic, chilli peppers, basil, onion powder or seeds, black pepper, tomatoes, soy sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and vinegar. While it may take some time, the result is a flavourful, aromatic sauce that will elevate your BBQ dishes to the next level.

In conclusion, Hickory Smoke BBQ Sauce is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of smoky, sweet, and spicy magic to their BBQ creations. Whether you choose to make it from scratch or opt for a store-bought option, this sauce will surely enhance your grilling experience and impress your taste buds.

BBQ sauce with cumin

Cumin is a spice that can add depth and an earthy flavour to your BBQ sauce. Here is a recipe for a BBQ sauce with cumin, which also includes some other spices and ingredients to create a well-rounded flavour profile.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)
• 2 tablespoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• One 15-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce

Method:

In a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the oil, garlic, and onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and saute until the onion is tender and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Next, add the tomato paste and stir well. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring frequently and breaking it apart, for about 5 minutes. Then, add the chilli powder and cumin and stir until evenly distributed.

Stir in the tomato sauce and broth and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Finally, stir in the barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Variations:

You can also add other spices and ingredients to enhance the flavour of your BBQ sauce. For example, you could include smoked paprika, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard. Adjust the quantities of these ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

Additionally, if you want to make your sauce smoother, you can transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth after cooking.

Storage:

This BBQ sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions:

This sauce is perfect for grilled chicken, ribs, or pulled pork. It can also be used as a dip for air fryer French fries, onion rings, or sweet potato fries.

BBQ sauce with molasses

While there are many options for the best chilli sauce for a barbecue, here is a recipe for a barbecue sauce with molasses that can be used for grilled meats, burgers, or even as a marinade.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup ketchup (or up to 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (optional)

Instructions:

Whisk together all the ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer the sauce to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate. This homemade barbecue sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Tips:

Some people have found this sauce to be too sweet, so you may want to reduce the amount of brown sugar or add some cayenne pepper to give it a kick. You can also try adding a pinch of cumin or liquid smoke to change up the flavour.

Other options:

If you are looking for a barbecue sauce with a different flavour profile, there are many other options available. For example, you could try a sauce with a base of pineapple juice and blackstrap molasses, or even a sauce with chocolate and barbecue sauce.

Frequently asked questions