Homemade BBQ Sauce

My Great Grandmother used to make a mild, sweet BBQ sauce which became a comfort food for her grandchildren.  If I were making BBQ sauce exclusively for my mother, I wouldn’t dare tamper with her Grandma’s original recipe!  Today, however, I was in a tinkering mood, and decided to use Great Grandma’s recipe as a base for something a bit less sweet and a tad more spicy. It’s pretty darn good. Don’t tell my Mom.  😉

Ingredients (Makes 4 cups)

1 large onion, finely diced

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

4 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses

28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1) Caramelize onion in butter by stirring constantly over low-medium heat for 10 – 12 minutes until onion is very soft and golden brown.

Step 2) Slowly add vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worchestershire sauce, and molasses. Stir until well combined.

Step 3) Add tomatoes and all remaining (dry) spices. Stir. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to thicken slightly and blend flavors.  Serve as desired; store any leftover sauce in refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

Meatball Hoagies: Spread BBQ sauce generously inside of fresh rolls. Top with cooked (hot) meatballs and provolone cheese.

Party Snacks: Add desired amount of bite size sausages or ring bologna slices to a slow cooker. Top with BBQ sauce and stir. Keep warm and serve on a party buffet with toothpicks.

Grill Accompaniment: Whether you’re grilling chicken, ribs, or something else, serve this BBQ sauce alongside!

Better-than-cocktail Sauce: Try this BBQ sauce, chilled, in a shrimp cocktail. Delicious!