Mama'S Barbecue Sauce
A rich, tangy barbecue sauce with a balance of sweetness and zest, perfect for grilling, dipping, or glazing meats and vegetables for casual and family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion or 1 tablespoon instant onion ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vinegar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar ⓘ
- parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 tablespoon mustard ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 cup catsup or 1 can tomatoes and 1/4 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- dash salt ⓘ
- dash cayenne pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Add all ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, sauté the onions in the butter until they are translucent before adding other ingredients. If you don't have Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce can be a good substitute. For a spicier kick, add more cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of regular vinegar for a different taste.
Serving Suggestions
This barbecue sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats like chicken and ribs. It also pairs beautifully with Lemon-Sesame Asparagus for a fresh side. Consider serving it alongside baked beans or coleslaw for a classic barbecue meal. You can even use it as a dipping sauce for appetizers like chicken wings.
Storage & Reheating
Let the barbecue sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mama'S Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 418 calories, with 7g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (53% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (53% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (49% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 830mg per serving (36% 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 make this barbecue sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, letting it sit for a day allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste. Just remember to reheat it gently before serving.
Is this barbecue sauce suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all the ingredients in this recipe are plant-based, making it suitable for vegetarian recipes. Just ensure that the Worcestershire sauce used is vegetarian, as some brands contain anchovies.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
Absolutely! You can increase or decrease the amount of brown sugar based on your preference. If you want a less sweet sauce, consider adding some extra vinegar or mustard to balance the flavors.
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).