Throwing a summer barbecue soon? Skip the store-bought BBQ sauce and make your own with just two easy ingredients! This 2-ingredient BBQ sauce is a super easy recipe and perfect for slathering on charbroiled burgers and grilled veggies, and it takes only minutes to whip up. This is my favorite BBQ sauce recipe, so let's get started!
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Why make homemade BBQ sauce?
Making homemade BBQ sauce offers several advantages over store-bought options. Such as:
- Homemade sauces allow you to personalize the flavors according to your preferences. You have control over the ingredients and the overall balance of flavors.
- Some store-bought BBQ sauces contain high sugar levels, artificial sweeteners, or unhealthy fats. When making your own sauce, you can control the amount of sugar.
- Making your own BBQ sauce can be more cost-effective than buying high-quality store-bought options. You can make a large batch and store it for future use, which is cost-effective in the long run.
- Homemade BBQ sauce enables you to cater to specific dietary needs or restrictions. You can create a gluten-free, vegan sauce or low in certain allergens, ensuring everyone can enjoy it.
Overall, making homemade BBQ sauce provides a way to elevate your grilling or cooking experience, giving you full control over flavors, ingredients, and nutritional considerations.
Simple ingredients
Ketchup: The main ingredient in this 2-ingredient BBQ sauce is ketchup, which provides a sweet and tangy base. You can use your preferred brand or make homemade ketchup if you prefer.
Maltose: This second ingredient is a sweetener to balance the flavors and add a touch of sweetness. Other popular choices include brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or molasses. You can adjust the amount based on your desired level of sweetness.
Optional additions: While the base recipe calls for only two ingredients, you can add fun variations to enhance the flavor and customize the sauce. Some optional additions include:
- Worcestershire sauce: It adds a savory and tangy flavor. You can get easily get it from any grocery store.
- Soy sauce: Add Asian twist flavors!
- Mustard: It can provide depth and slight tanginess to the flavor profile.
- Apple cider or balsamic vinegar adds acidity and brightness to the sauce.
- Garlic powder or minced garlic: For an extra kick of flavor.
- Onion powder: To add a subtle onion flavor.
- A pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder: Make it a spicy BBQ sauce.
When you add these additions, start with small amounts and adjust to your taste.
How to make 2 ingredient BBQ sauce
Heat the saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir the maltose constantly to help it melt evenly and prevent it from burning. If you're using solid maltose, add a small amount of water to the container or saucepan. This will help prevent the maltose from sticking to the pan and make the melting process more manageable.
As the maltose melts, it will become a syrupy consistency. Continue stirring until all the maltose has melted and the syrup is smooth. Once the maltose has melted completely, pour the ketchup into the melted maltose in the saucepan. Mix well until combined or the sauce is smooth and consistent. Allow the sauce to sit for a while to let the flavors meld together.
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sweetener or reducing it based on your preference. Enjoy your homemade BBQ sauce!
Feel free to experiment and customize the sauce by adjusting the sweetness and adding additional ingredients and spices that suit your taste preferences. Additionally, you can use the 2-ingredient BBQ sauce as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for your favorite grilled meats, poultry, or vegetables.
Extra important safety tips:
- Do not leave the melting maltose unattended; it can quickly become hot and burn.
- Use appropriate heat-resistant utensils for melting the maltose.
- Keep in mind that maltose has a high melting point so the melting process may take some time. Also, avoid overheating the maltose, as it can caramelize and change its flavor.
Storage
You can store the BBQ sauce in an airtight container, such as a mason jar or bottle. Refrigerate the sauce after making it to keep it safe and extend its shelf life. This sauce can last for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you plan to make a larger batch, consider dividing it into smaller portions, or use a freezer bag and freeze the extra sauce. It can stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Before using frozen sauce, allow it to come to room temperature to ensure it's easy to pour and spread. Remember always to check the sauce for any signs of spoilage.
Ideas for how to use 2 ingredient BBQ sauce
While a 2-ingredient BBQ sauce may be simple, it can still add great flavor to various dishes. Here are some ideas and different ways to use your homemade BBQ sauce:
- Grilled meats: Use the BBQ sauce as a marinade or glaze for meats such as boneless chicken breasts, ribs, steak, pork chops, or burgers. Brush the sauce on the meat during cooking or serve it as a dipping sauce on the side.
- Instant pot barbecue chicken: Brush the BBQ sauce onto chicken pieces or whole chicken before grilling or roasting. Baste the chicken with the sauce as it cooks for a delicious sticky glaze.
- Pulled pork: Slow-cook a pork shoulder or pork butt until tender, then shred the meat and mix it with the BBQ sauce for classic pulled pork sandwiches. Serve it on buns or sliders with coleslaw for added crunch.
- BBQ chicken pizza: Use BBQ sauce instead of traditional tomato sauce as a base for pizza. Top it with grilled chicken, vegetables, and cheese for a delicious twist on a classic pizza.
- BBQ tofu: Marinate it in the BBQ sauce, then grill, bake, or pan-fry until it's crispy. Serve it as a protein-rich option for vegetarians as a main dish or easy appetizer.
- Cocktail wieners:
- BBQ sandwiches: Make BBQ sandwiches by combining shredded or sliced meat (such as chicken, pork, or beef) with BBQ sauce.
- Crock pot BBQ baked beans: Stir the BBQ sauce into a pot of baked beans for a sweet and smoky flavor. And your timer and cook until they're hot and bubbly.
- BBQ sauce for dipping: Use the BBQ sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers on a game day, French fries, onion rings, or other finger foods.
Any simple recipe mentioned above allows you to enjoy its flavors in various ways!
Conclusion
Say goodbye to boring store-bought BBQ sauce and hello to flavor-packed homemade BBQ sauce! With just two ingredients, you can create a tasty BBQ sauce that will take your summer meals to the next level. Make a big batch and store it in the fridge for next time. The possibilities are endless! Let me know what you think by leaving comments below.:)
Homemade 2 Ingredient BBQ Sauce (Easiest Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup maltose or brown sugar, honey, maple syrup and molasses
Optional additions:
- worcestershire sauce
- mustard
- apple cider vinegar
- garlic powder or minced garlic
- onion powder or finely chopped onions
Instructions
- Heat the saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir the maltose constantly to help it melt evenly and prevent it from burning. If you're using solid maltose, add a small amount of water to the container or saucepan. This will help prevent the maltose from sticking to the pan and make the melting process more manageable.
- As the maltose melts, it will become a syrupy consistency. Continue stirring until all the maltose has melted and the syrup is smooth.
- Once the maltose has melted completely, pour the ketchup into the melted maltose in the saucepan. Mix well until combined or the sauce is smooth and consistent. Allow the sauce to sit for a while to let the flavors meld together.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sweetener or reducing it based on your preference.
- Enjoy your homemade BBQ sauce!
Notes
- Do not leave the melting maltose unattended; it can quickly become hot and burn.
- Use appropriate heat-resistant utensils for melting the maltose.
- Keep in mind that maltose has a high melting point so the melting process may take some time. Also, avoid overheating the maltose, as it can caramelize and change its flavor.
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