Holly's Homestead — Recipe
Homemade BBQ Sauce
A smoky, sticky barbecue sauce built on tomato, brown sugar and spice
DIFFICULTY Easy
COURSE Sauce
CUISINE Australian
COURSE Sauce
CUISINE Australian
Estimated nutrition per serve: 25 kcal · 0g protein · 7g carbohydrate · 0g fat. Calculated from standard USDA reference values for the ingredients listed; an approximate guide, not a lab analysis.
A batch this size may need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering to thicken properly - there's more liquid to reduce relative to the pot's surface area.
01Ingredients
02Method
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and whisk until smooth.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until thick and glossy.
- Taste and adjust with more vinegar, sugar or cayenne. Cool, then pour into a clean jar or bottle.
03Notes & substitutions
- Use our homemade tomato sauce as the base, or any good tomato sauce.
- Add a teaspoon of liquid smoke for a stronger barbecue flavour.
- Replace half the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
- Brush on meat in the last 10 minutes of cooking so the sugar does not burn.
- Stir through pulled pork or shredded chicken for sandwiches.
04Common mistakes
- Brushing it on too early — the sugar burns on a hot grill; apply it near the end.
- Cooking at a hard boil — it spits and scorches; keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Using a thin sauce base — it will take much longer to thicken.
- Skipping the taste test — tomato sauces vary; adjust the sweet-sharp balance at the end.
05Storage & leftovers
Fridge
Up to 1 month in a sealed jar.
Freezer
Up to 6 months in small containers.
Marinating
Keep a portion separate from raw meat to use as a dipping sauce.
More About This Recipe
07Troubleshooting
- Sauce is too sweet. Add a splash more vinegar.
- Sauce is too thin. Simmer a few minutes longer.
- Sauce is not smoky enough. Add more smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke.
- Sauce burns on the grill. Apply it only in the last 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it last?
About a month in the fridge.
Can I make it spicier?
Yes - add more cayenne or a teaspoon of chilli flakes.
Can I make it from fresh tomatoes?
Yes - use our homemade tomato sauce as the base.
What is it good on?
Ribs, burgers, chicken, sausages and roast vegetables.