Forget buying bottled sauces; smother your favorite meaty meals with this sweet, smoky, and simple Texas BBQ.
Table of Contents
When you’re touring Texas, you’ll have a far tastier trip if you focus on the scents as well as the sights. Anyone craving simple, slow-cooked, and oh-so-delicious Southern comfort foods always leaves the Lone Star State with a happy face and a full belly.
Of the many delicious down-home dishes in Texas, barbeque holds a special place in every local’s heart. From its origins in Lockhart’s mythic Kreuz Market, slow-roasted BBQ – particularly brisket -has become a way of life for Texans, and it easily ranks as one of the classic foods everyone needs to try in this region.
But don’t worry if you can’t book a flight to Dallas and snack on BBQ in person, instead try out this drool-worthy Texas-style BBQ sauce that will make even a pro pitmaster’s eyes pop.
So, saddle up, because this Texas BBQ sauce will knock your socks (or boots?) off!
Is Texas BBQ Sauce Healthy?
Brown sugar gives BBQ sauce its sweet notes, but it’s also the main reason why it’s not super nutritious. Although Texas BBQ sauce isn’t “unhealthy” in moderation, the use of sugar isn’t a fantastic fit for many diets. On the positive side, since you’re making this Texas BBQ sauce at home, there are plenty of ways to swap ingredients and make them fit your lifestyle.
First and foremost, consider cutting the sugar in half or ditching it for an alternative sweetener like raw honey or maple syrup. For those on a keto diet, consider using no-carb options like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit as a guilt-free sweet substitute. Also, always double-check the ingredients in jarred tomato sauce to be sure it’s unsweetened to avoid adding sneaky hidden sugars. Better yet, check out this Instant Pot Tomato Sauce recipe to make your BBQ’s base at home!
What makes Texas BBQ so special?
When people try Texas BBQ for the first time, they’re sometimes surprised by how soupy it is compared with other BBQ varieties like Kansas City or St. Louis. Some even claim Texas BBQ sauce is more of a unique spin on tomato sauce since its texture is so thin. This liquid-like consistency makes Texas BBQ sauce perfect for mopping or as a marinade during smoking, but it isn’t the best choice for dunking your meals.
Aside from this unique texture, Texas BBQ sauce emphasizes spices rather than sweeteners. While brown sugar provides sweetness, ingredients like garlic powder, paprika, and cumin add interesting flavor dimensions. Some renditions even pack a spicy punch with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, but that’s totally optional!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.
Simmer
Cook mixture until thickened.
Cool & Store
Cool sauce and refrigerate.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
After your Texas BBQ Sauce cools, transfer it to an airtight container like a mason jar and pop it in your fridge. Don’t forget to write the date you made your BBQ sauce on tape or a Post-It and put it on your container. Typically, homemade BBQ sauce lasts a few weeks in the fridge, but please always pay careful attention to signs of spoilage.
Aside from sweeter East Texas recipes, Texas BBQ sauces often have a kick thanks to additions like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. However, don’t feel like you need to add spiciness if you don’t like burning your tongue. You can still claim to be eating an authentic Texas BBQ sauce even if you like it on the sweeter side.
Worcestershire sauce is the only ingredient vegans have to swap out if they want to make Texas BBQ sauce. Thankfully, now that the vegan diet is mainstream, it’s getting easier to find bottled Worcestershire sauces made without those pesky anchovies. Alternatively, you could use soy sauce or tamarind to get that same Worcestershire-like effect without going off the vegan diet.
Serving Suggestions
Brisket is a no-brainer to pair with homemade Texas BBQ sauce. Although you could also use your DIY BBQ well on many grilled or smoked meats – including ribs, pork shoulders, and chicken – Texas is cowboy country, after all. If you want that authentic Lone Star State dining experience, I’d recommend checking out previous posts on the Easy Brisket Rub and Slow Cooker Beef Brisket to get the full Texas cooking experience.
Outside of meats, you could serve Texas BBQ as a flavor enhancer for sensational side recipes like Shoestring Fries or Baked Onion Rings. Also, Texas BBQ sauce works great as a topper on a slice of seasoned salmon or in a vegan-friendly tofu recipe. Whatever you serve, just be sure you have plenty of napkins nearby, because things will get messy!
Texas BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
-
In a medium saucepan, combine tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt.
-
Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk ingredients together until fully combined.
-
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
-
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
The post Texas BBQ Sauce appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
