Menu
Author:
Franco Salzillo
What’s a barbecue without the sauce? Just meat. And meat is just not as fun. Barbecues are more than food; of course, they’re a reason to get together with the gang. Barbecues are America’s favorite pastime, and they wouldn’t exist without the very many sauces that elevate the meat to finger-licking, delicious heights.
There are many great barbecue sauces out there. I won’t lie. But there’s nothing like making your own — every famous sauce began in someone’s kitchen, right?
Before you say the recipe below looks nothing like the sauce you know and love. Remember that there are dozens of sauces, and they’re all unique. The recipe below is inspired by the famous Memphis barbecue sauce — it’s sweet, spicy and sticky, so it has it all!
To make this sauce, we’re also using only plant-based ingredients to make it 100% vegan. So, we’re not using Worcestershire (fish) sauce or anything like that. You’ll need fresh onion and garlic, ketchup, brown sugar and a whole lot of herbs and spices: mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano and thyme.
What’s a sauce without that addictive tanginess to round it up? That’s where the apple cider vinegar comes in. Vinegar’s acidity keeps the sweetness in check for a balanced sauce that’s simply hard to beat.
This sauce is fantastic with baby back ribs, pulled pork, barbecued chicken, and even wings. Try it with grilled chicken feet for a unique experience!
Needless to say, just a drizzle of this sauce makes burgers something else, and you can even use it to flavor rice. Don’t be shy with this barbecue sauce. After all, if you run out of it, you can always make yourself a fresh batch. Store this sauce in the fridge for up to two weeks, then make a new one.
In a skillet over a medium flame, heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low and incorporate the rest of the ingredients one at a time while stirring.
Simmer for 10 minutes or until you get the desired thickness.
Let the sauce cool down before storing it in an air-tight container.
