Make Your Own Barbecue Sauce This Summer

Roasting and eating barbecue is one of the most treasured American culinary pastimes. Next to hamburgers and hot dogs, nothing says the stars and stripes like a heaping plate of pulled pork. Traditionally a Southern staple, this delectable dish has now become a popular favorite nationwide – and the sauce that goes along with it is every bit as important as the meat itself.

Many chefs working on their culinary certificates have already tried their hand at roasting their own pig shoulder. However, have you ever considered creating your very own barbecue sauce to go with it? Making your own dressings and condiments, such as barbecue sauce, is an easy and sustainable – not to mention inexpensive – way to show off all of those skills you’ve learned in your chef courses.

Here’s an excellent barbecue sauce recipe that you can make from scratch right in your kitchen:

What to grab:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups ketchup
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• ½ tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
• ½ tablespoon ground mustard
• ½ tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation
Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Leaving the pan uncovered, reduce to a light simmer and allow your sauce to cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Other options
Depending on what part of the country you live in – from Texas or Memphis to Kansas City or North Carolina – what is or is not considered barbecue sauce is up for debate. There are many different varieties that you can experiment with. For example, sauces in the Carolinas are typically very vinegary, while sauces in the Deep South tend to be very smoky. Look around and see which one you prefer.

One of the greatest things about barbecue sauce is that many ingredients can be substituted according to your personal taste. For example, if you want a honey barbecue sauce, simply swap out the sugars for honey. Want a spicier version? Add ​hot sauce, cayenne pepper or even fresh chilies to the mix. This is also an excellent example of how regional favorites can be made into your very own. If you want to cook with your kids, this is a great way to teach them about measurements since there are so many different ingredients.

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