Bar-B-Q Sauce

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves: 5 Cuisine: American

Bar-B-Q Sauce offers a tangy, sweet, and savory flavor profile, perfect for enhancing grilled poultry or meats. Its rich mustard and syrup base creates a bold complement to smoky flavors, making it ideal for backyard barbecues or family cookouts. Versatile and flavorful, it elevates any grilled dish.

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Ingredients

  • 1 quart plus 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 quart light Karo syrup
  • 1 pound pure butter
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup vinegar

Instructions

  1. Pour water, vinegar, syrup, and mustard into a large pan. Beat with a portable mixer until smooth.
  2. Add butter and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the butter melts.
  3. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Tips & Substitutions

For a spicier kick, consider adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the mix. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can substitute half of the light Karo syrup with honey or brown sugar. Ensure that you mix the ingredients thoroughly to avoid lumps, and be mindful of the butter; it must melt completely before simmering.

Serving Suggestions

This Bar-B-Q sauce is perfect for grilling meats like ribs or chicken. It also pairs beautifully with Asparagus Spears With Garlic Mustard for a delicious contrast. Consider serving it alongside classic side dishes like coleslaw or baked beans to complete your meal. It also works well as a dipping sauce for appetizers.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover Bar-B-Q sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Bar-B-Q Sauce contains roughly 673 calories, with 8g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (169% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (81% of the Daily Value), and calcium (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 771mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).

673 kcal 34% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 8.3g 17% DV
Total Fat 49.4g 63% DV
Carbs 45.2g 16% DV
Fiber 5.8g 21% DV
Sugar 32.4g 65% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 771.1mg 34% DV
Potassium 678.5mg 14% DV
Cholesterol 144mg 48% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 1517.8mcg 100% DV
Vitamin C 72.9mg 81% DV
Calcium 400mg 31% DV
Iron 3.9mg 22% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Milk

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 a different type of mustard?

Yes, you can use Dijon or yellow mustard as a substitute, depending on your flavor preference. Each type of mustard will impart a different taste to the sauce. Experiment with small batches to find your ideal mix.

Is this sauce suitable for vegetarian diets?

Yes, this Bar-B-Q sauce is vegetarian-friendly since it contains no meat or animal-derived ingredients. However, ensure that all ingredients, particularly the butter, are sourced from vegetarian-friendly producers.

How can I thicken the sauce if it's too runny?

If your Bar-B-Q sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering it for a longer period to reduce the liquid. Another option is to mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce while it simmers.

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).

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