Quick & Easy

Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce

Flavorful
Description

When most people think of barbecue sauce, they probably imagine a thick brown sauce that’s sweet like sugar with a hint of smokiness and maybe, just maybe, a little heat. And while the reality is that there are so many different styles of barbecue sauce—Alabama white sauce (a mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce), Carolina gold (a mustard-heavy sauce), and Memphis-style (tangier and thinner than its western neighbor)—Kansas City BBQ is by far the most popular and most replicated style of barbecue across the U.S.

Ingredients
  • 10 3/4 ounces canned tomato purée, such as hunt’s
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons liquid smoke
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a 1½-quart saucepan and whisk to combine. Cook over medium heat until bubbles break across the surface, about two minutes. Continue to cook for 5 to 7 more minutes until the sauce has thickened, whisking frequently. Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container or mason jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

Recipe Categories

Image

Image

Related Recipes

Flavorful

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Our reviewers all agree: This twice-baked potato casserole is a real hit! They love that it can be made in advance and tastes exactly like twice-baked potatoes (but with a fraction of the effort).

Flavorful

Two Bean Turkey Chili

This recipe has been in the works for years - additions and subtractions along the way, tweaks here and there. But in the current version, it has a little heat, a little sweet, and a little wine. The goat cheese topper may seem odd but was a desperate measure when I realized I had no sour cream a few years ago and I haven't gone back.

Flavorful

Turtle Cheesecake

With rich layers of chocolate and caramel cheesecake, crunchy pecans and a silky chocolate ganache topping, this turtle cheesecake is a showstopping dessert that's a labor of love. But they'll love you for it!