Will'S Famous Sweet-Hot Barbecue Sauce
Will's Famous Sweet-Hot Barbecue Sauce offers a rich, spicy-sweet flavor profile with aromatic spices and tangy ingredients, perfect for grilling or topping meats and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or margarine ⓘ
- 1 very large onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 very large green pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ginger ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chili cortidos ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 4 lemons, sliced, juiced and cut up ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon sassafras tea ⓘ
- 1 small can crushed pineapple ⓘ
- 2 diced apples and oranges ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Open Pit barbecue sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons A.1. steak sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/3 cup sweet pickle juice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup pickle relish ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dry mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 cup ketchup ⓘ
- 1 large can tomato sauce or paste
- 2 cups water
- 1 quart apple cider vinegar ⓘ
- 6 bay leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large 8-quart stockpot, simmer the vegetable oil or margarine, diced onion, diced green pepper, and diced celery until transparent.
- Add all the remaining ingredients and cook on low heat for approximately 2 hours.
- After the sauce has cooked for 2 hours, thicken, if necessary, with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch blended with 1/2 cup of cold water.
- Return to the heat and cook for another 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using smoked paprika instead of chili powder. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar or honey. For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper or hot sauce. If you don't have chili cortidos, regular pickled jalapeños can work as a substitute. This sauce is versatile, making it a great option for beef recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet-hot barbecue sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats, especially ribs and chicken. It pairs beautifully with Cheesy Cornbread Casserole or can be used as a dipping sauce for appetizers like fried deer meat. Serve it with a side of coleslaw or pasta salad for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it in portions for up to six months. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Will'S Famous Sweet-Hot Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 1570 calories, with 8g protein, 105g carbohydrates, and 133g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (264% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (164% of the Daily Value), and iron (104% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 in advance?
Yes, this sauce can be made ahead of time, and it actually tastes better after sitting for a day or two as the flavors meld together. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Is it possible to make this sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the vegetable oil for margarine and use a vegetarian-friendly barbecue sauce. Additionally, omit the hot pepper sauce if you prefer a milder version.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to your taste. For a unique twist, consider using maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute for some of the brown sugar.
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).