Smacking Barbecue Sauce
Bold, smoky barbecue sauce brimming with caramelized onion, tomato depth and a kick of cayenne—perfect for grilling, dipping, or topping burgers and wings.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, coarsely cut ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, cut ⓘ
- 1/2 cup celery leaves ⓘ
- 12 sprigs parsley, stemmed ⓘ
- 1 large (28 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke or black pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine onion, garlic, celery leaves, parsley, and half the canned tomatoes in a jar.
- Cover the jar tightly.
- Press the Mix button and blend for 30 seconds.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoother sauce, blend the mixture longer than 30 seconds, adjusting to your desired consistency. If you're out of celery leaves, fresh spinach can be a great substitute. You can also experiment with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider or balsamic, for a unique flavor twist. Adding a touch of honey instead of brown sugar can enhance the sweetness without overpowering the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This Smacking Barbecue Sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats like chicken, ribs, or burgers. Pair it with a refreshing Easy Banana Salad for a delightful contrast of flavors. It also works well as a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables or as a marinade. For the best experience, serve it alongside creamy coleslaw or grilled corn on the cob.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, consider freezing the sauce in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Smacking Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 334 calories, with 13g protein, 67g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (133% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (98% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (86% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1068mg per serving (46% 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 a few days in advance. In fact, letting it sit for 24 hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and it'll be ready to use when you're ready to grill.
Is this barbecue sauce vegan-friendly?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan since it contains no animal products. You can enjoy it guilt-free with your favorite vegan recipes, such as grilled vegetable skewers or tofu dishes.
How can I adjust the heat level of the sauce?
To modify the heat level, adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or black pepper according to your taste. For a milder sauce, use less cayenne; for more heat, add a bit more. You can also 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).