Description
Root beer bbq sauce brings sweet and tangy flavors to grilled meats and sandwiches. Homemade condiment combines classic soda with smoky spices for a memorable culinary experience you’ll savor at backyard cookouts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup root beer (not diet)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Blend Base: Whisk root beer, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a medium saucepan until thoroughly combined.
- Heat and Develop: Place saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously to meld flavors and prevent burning, gradually warming the mixture until it begins to simmer softly.
- Reduce and Thicken: Allow sauce to gently bubble, occasionally stirring to maintain even consistency, watching for natural reduction and flavor concentration over 15-20 minutes.
- Verify Texture: Check sauce readiness by observing its coating ability on a spoon – it should create a smooth, clingy layer without excessive thickness.
- Cool and Store: Remove from heat, let cool completely at room temperature to enhance flavor profile, then transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container and refrigerate for future use.
Notes
- Control Heat Carefully: Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent burning or scorching, which can make the sauce bitter and ruin its delicate flavor profile.
- Choose Quality Root Beer: Select a premium root beer with rich, deep flavors to elevate the sauce’s overall taste and complexity.
- Check Consistency Strategically: Use the back-of-spoon test to ensure the sauce reaches perfect thickness without becoming too runny or overly dense.
- Store Smartly: Refrigerate in an airtight container, where the sauce will keep for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to continue developing and intensifying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg