A Man'S Barbecue Sauce
A rich, smoky barbecue sauce with a tangy kick, perfect for grilling or dipping, suited for summer cookouts, family dinners, and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups ketchup ⓘ
- 2 1/4 cups water ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons instant beef broth ⓘ
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dry mustard ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 shakes Tabasco sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water or simmer longer to concentrate the flavors. You can substitute the instant beef broth with homemade beef stock for a richer taste. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the brown sugar or add honey. For a spicier kick, adjust the cayenne pepper or add more Tabasco sauce. This sauce is versatile and complements many American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This barbecue sauce is perfect for grilling meats like chicken, ribs, or brisket, enhancing their flavor with a savory kick. It pairs beautifully with Texas Bar-B-Q Brisket and can also be used as a dip for grilled vegetables or as a marinade for beef recipes. Serve it alongside coleslaw or cornbread for a complete meal experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it in ice cube trays and transferring the cubes to a freezer bag once solid. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of A Man'S Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 417 calories, with 16g protein, 104g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (127% of the Daily Value), iron (77% of the Daily Value), and calcium (48% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1971mg per serving (86% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sauce for marinating meat?
Yes, this barbecue sauce is fantastic for marinating meats. Simply coat your choice of protein, such as chicken or pork, and let it marinate for at least an hour, or overnight for deeper flavor. The combination of spices and acidity from the lemon juice will tenderize the meat while infusing it with flavor.
Is this barbecue sauce suitable for vegetarian diets?
While this sauce contains Worcestershire sauce, which may include anchovies, you can easily make it vegetarian by substituting with a vegan Worcestershire sauce. The rest of the ingredients are plant-based, making it a great option for adding flavor to grilled vegetables or bean burgers.
How can I adjust the heat level of the sauce?
To adjust the heat level, you can increase or decrease the amount of cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce according to your taste preference. For a milder sauce, omit the cayenne altogether. Conversely, for a spicier sauce, add more cayenne or even include diced jalapeños for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).