Description
Sweet and tangy honey bbq sauce elevates grilled meats with its rich, homemade flavor profile. Balanced ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a mouthwatering condiment that will make weekend barbecues unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients in a medium saucepan, combining honey, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Heating Process: Position the saucepan over medium heat, whisking ingredients continuously to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture. Gradually increase temperature until the sauce begins to bubble and simmer gently.
- Reduction and Thickening: Lower heat to minimum, allowing the sauce to slowly reduce and develop deep, rich flavors. Stir intermittently to prevent scorching, watching for a gradual thickening that coats the back of a spoon, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Flavor Refinement: Sample the sauce, calibrating its profile by introducing additional honey for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or a dash of hot sauce for underlying heat. Remove from heat once desired consistency and flavor complexity are achieved.
- Cooling and Storage: Transfer the freshly crafted BBQ sauce to a clean glass container, letting it cool to room temperature. Seal and refrigerate, where it will maintain optimal flavor and thickness for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Stir the sauce frequently and keep heat low to avoid scorching, which can create bitter flavors and ruin the smooth texture.
- Adjust honey and vinegar ratios gradually to achieve perfect sweet-tangy balance without overwhelming any single taste component.
- If sauce becomes too thick, thin with small amounts of water or additional vinegar; if too thin, continue simmering to reduce and thicken naturally.
- Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container, where the sauce can be refrigerated for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to further develop and meld.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg