Best BBQ Sauce

My 4 year old girl- ya the one with the snake in one hand and the princess crown in the other-asked for ribs for dinner!  Yum, ok!  I'm actually not a big barbecue fan but my homemade sauce...I love! And it's easy and can be mass produced to can or freeze.

This recipe makes 4 pint sized jars so half or quarter it if you don't need that much.


Homemade Barbecue Sauce
1 large onion
6 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp cumin
2T olive oil
1c brown sugar
1/4 c molasses
1 40oz bottle of ketchup
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
2T yellow mustard
3/4t sea salt
1/4t fresh ground black pepper
a few drops liquid smoke (optional)


I put the onion and garlic in the food processor and pulse it until its finely chopped; but advert thine eyes because when its chopped that onion burns!  Saute the chopped onion, garlic, red pepper flakes if you want them, and cumin in the olive oil until the onions are translucent.  Then add the brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for at least 20 minutes but the longer you simmer the more flavor.  Add a few drops of liquid smoke if you want.  Be prepared...it's delicious!

Smother on....anything!  Be creative and enjoy!

as a side note-for the perfect corn- leave the husks on, soak in the sink for at least 10 minutes then throw on the grill for 15 to 20 minutes (until the corn is hot inside).  The water in the husks will steam it to perfection! 

 

Ideas: Add some honey for a honey bbq flavor or some mesquite seasoning.  You can also add your own dried red pepper flakes for your own custom spice!

STATS:

Better? Totally!  You can taste all the flavors and also have the option of adding a little here or there to totally customize your own signature sauce! *check*

Healthier? Besides the no preservatives...the sugar content in your sauce will be alot less also! *check*

Cheaper!? Yes!  Store bought sauce ranges from $2-$5.  You're making the $5 sauce for basically the recurring cost of the ketchup (buying 1 each of other ingredients you may not have ie. molasses and vinegar can be used for several batches). *check*