KANSAS CITY BARBECUE SAUCE
About 3 cups
In general, barbecue sauces become sweeter and thicker as you travel farther west across the United States, and this style is at the western edge of the barbecue-style map. For most, this recipe is the Platonic ideal of barbecue sauces: It’s sweet, spicy, and tangy and works well on just about any meat you slather it on.
Stir together in a medium bowl:
- 2 cups ketchup
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Heat in a medium saucepan over medium heat:
- 3 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
Add and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes:
- ½ medium onion, minced
Add and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more:
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or grated on a rasp grater
Stir in the ketchup mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Season to taste with:
- Salt and black pepper