Sometimes when I am reading old family recipes I have to wonder what my family members were thinking when they wrote these down. This barbecue sauce recipe had been a family favorite for years before I tried it. Everyone who tried it said it was the best barbecue sauce recipe they’d ever had. Why didn’t I try it sooner? The recipe itself was a little daunting. Here’s some of the actual copy for the recipe. “Dump in a lot of sugar, then a lot of regular mustard, mix well.” It ended with this admonition-“Taste and adjust by adding more of whatever you think it needs more of.” And people wonder why I am able to make dishes using the ‘dump in ingredients until it looks right’ method. I came by it honestly. Over time I managed to adjust the barbecue sauce recipe to include actual measurements. The result is this smooth, tangy mixture that’s perfect with pork, beef, or chicken. I think it’s the best Barbecue Sauce recipe ever.
The Best Barbecue Sauce Recipe:
This recipe was passed on to me by my aunt who received it from “Big Ralph,” a family friend. The story goes that he spent lots of time asking my aunt for recipes, which she happily passed on to him. My aunt’s family spent a lot of time socializing with Big Ralph’s family. He was known for his famous cookouts and his “famous barbecue sauce.” Everyone wanted the recipe. When my aunt asked for it, he told her, “No. This is a secret family recipe.” The next time he asked her for a recipe, she told him, “Sorry. All of my recipes are family secrets.” He quickly decided to share. Since Ralph and all of his family have passed on and the recipe has been in our family for years, I think it is time to share. Here’s my version of the recipe which has actual measurements. 🙂
This recipe is naturally gluten-free (as long as you use a gluten-free brand of barbecue sauce). It makes a thick, tangy sauce that’s just as good as sauces you can purchase at a specialty store. I recommend making the sauce a few days in advance and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. This gives the flavors time to meld. This sauce is good with any type of meat.
Printable Recipe:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 (18 ounces) bottle Hickory Smoked Barbecue Sauce
- In a large bowl, mix the sugar and mustard until blended.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and pepper.
- Add the ketchup and lemon juice. Mix until blended.
- Stir in the bottle of Hickory Smoked Barbecue Sauce.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Do you have a favorite barbecue sauce recipe you serve your family?
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Barbecue Pork Loin
Barbecue Pork Sliders Recipe
Coca-Cola Barbecue Chicken
I guess I will try to make using your recipe. Let’s see if it will be my very best version of of barbecue recipe.
A friend of ours makes an amazing bbq sauce recipe. I never thought to take a bottled sauce and add to it.
A bunch of this, a pile of that mixed together. That’s how it was done back then, or so I hear! Thanks for sharing your barbecue sauce recipe with us!
We always just buy a jar of barbecue sauce at the store. Homemade is definitely better, for sure. Thank you for the recipe.
I’ve never tried making homemade BBQ sauce. I’m sure this taste amazing. Looking forward to trying this for my next recipe.
I should just make my own barbeque sauce with your recipe. This sounds like a yummy sauce, I like that it has lemon juice.
We always use just the pre made barbecue sauce because it’s easier. ha! But I’d be happy to try this. I think this will taste much better!
I really like BBQ but haven’t made it for years. This sounds like a lovely recipe and one I must try myself. I’m sure my family will love it!
Thank you for this recipe! It looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it once we start grilling again!
Oo yum, I’ll have to make this sauce for sure. It sounds really delicious. Normally I just buy it already made, but this is probably so much better!
We have an old family recipe that is a little like this one. It’s so good and is the only BBQ sauce my daughter will eat. I need to try yours because it has a couple of ingredients that will make mine even better.
Everyone has their favorite BBQ sauce. I know we have ours. Some like a sweet sauce. Some prefer a rub. All very good
This is similar how I make mine! I just add some smoked paprika and garlic in mine and I’m good to go.