How to Make a BBQ Sauce for Father's Day

Father's Day wouldn't be complete without a barbecue and a barbecue wouldn't be complete with out a great BBQ sauce. Barbecue sauce is usually made using the same basic ingredients: tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Any additional ingredients are typically determined by the cook, and some are even considered highly guarded family secrets. You can make a great BBQ sauce for Father's Day with only a few dollars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 1/3 cups vinegar (white or cider)
• 2 cans tomato sauce, 8 ounces each
• 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 4 tbs. peanut oil (or substitute)
• 2 tbs. mustard
• 2 tsp. hot sauce (red)
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• A pinch of cumin (for smoky flavor)

1. Pour the tomato sauce, vinegar and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl. Make sure you use a rounded mixing bowl to ensure ingredients don't get caught up in corners and are not properly mixed.
2. Mix in the oil and the dry ingredients. When using salt, it's a good idea to take little tastes as you mix and add salt slowly until you reach a desired taste.
3. Stir the ingredients thoroughly, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to get all the ingredients completely incorporated. A good tip is to watch as the dry ingredients mix: when the chili powder and black pepper are not conspicuous in the mix then your BBQ sauce is thoroughly incorporated.
4. Pour your BBQ sauce mixture into a sauce pan, using a spatula to scrape it off the sides of the bowl. A medium saucepan is typically large enough. Don't use a saucepan too large or you run the risk of the BBQ sauce cooking too quickly and burning.
5. Heat your BBQ sauce over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Tips & Warnings

• Feel free to leave out the hot sauce if you don't want the Father's Day BBQ sauce you make to have that extra bite. The difference in flavor is negligible. Conversely, feel free to add more if you want your BBQ sauce to have more kick and a hint more flavor.
• Don't be afraid to use a different oil if you don't want or can't find peanut oil. Grapeseed oil, canola oil, or even olive oil can be used as a substitute.