How to Make Great Barbecue Sauce

Some say the sauce makes the barbecue. Whip up your own distinctive batch with these tips.

Step 1: Make the base Make a basic sauce to use as a foundation. Mix the ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, hot sauce, and black pepper in a saucepan.
TIP: Add a teaspoon of your favorite barbecue rub for a more complex flavor.
Step 2: Simmer Bring to a boil and simmer 10 to 15 minutes until it's dark and thick.
Step 3: Experiment with additional ingredients Experiment with additional ingredients to give the sauce your own distinctive flair. Add sautéed onions to give it a fuller flavor, pineapple juice for sweetness, or chili peppers in adobo sauce for a spicy kick.
TIP: Add a splash of liquid smoke to give your sauce a smoky flavor.
Step 4: Use it Field-test your sauce at a barbecue. Slather it on meat while it's still on the grill, or use it as a dip for meat that's already been cooked.
Step 5: Store the excess Store any extra sauce in a sealed container in a refrigerator. It will keep for several months, but sauce this good is bound to disappear in no time!
FACT: The Oxford English Dictionary claims the first recorded use of the word "barbecue" in the English language occurred in the 1690s.