AmericanCondimentGluten-FreeDairy-Free

Pitmaster BBQ Sauce

Name: Pitmaster BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups ketchup; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup molasses; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp yellow mustard; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/2 tsp liquid smoke; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/4 cup water

Smoky, tangy, and deeply savory, this pitmaster sauce balances molasses sweetness with apple cider vinegar's sharp bite and smoked paprika's rich depth. It's the kind of all-purpose condiment that transforms grilled meats, ribs, and pulled pork into competition-worthy fare with minimal effort. Make a big batch for summer cookouts and backyard gatherings—it keeps beautifully and gets better with time.

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

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Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
Combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
2
Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt to the saucepan. Whisk thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly throughout the sauce.
3
Pour in the water and liquid smoke, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
4
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
5
Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for heat as desired.
6
Transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using to allow flavors to fully develop.

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Pitmaster BBQ Sauce

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

Jump to recipe

Ingredients

Units

Instructions

1
Combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
2
Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt to the saucepan. Whisk thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly throughout the sauce.
3
Pour in the water and liquid smoke, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
4
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
5
Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for heat as desired.
6
Transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using to allow flavors to fully develop.

Reviews

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