Homemade BBQ Sauce Styles

American BBQ cuisine is known around the world for its unique taste and variety of regional styles that Quebecers love. Summer and winter alike, more and more Quebecers are braving the elements to spend the day cooking up a smoky treat, just like me!

From Texas to Tennessee to North Carolina to Kansas, each region has its own BBQ tradition.

Styles vary depending on the types of meats used, marinades and sauces, and cooking techniques. In this introductory BBQ article, we'll explore the different types of homemade sauces used in American BBQ cooking, highlighting their particularities and history.

Photo from Istock

To learn more about bbq, check out these other smoker primer guides:

• BBQ Cooking Techniques in Quebec
• Cold Smoking Techniques in Quebec
• Hot Smoking Techniques in Quebec
• DryRub Technique and DryRub Recipes
• Brine Technique and Brine Recipes
• Types of wood for smoking
• Types of Smokehouses
• Best vegetables for smoking
• Most Popular Smokehouses
• How to start your smokehouse
• How to clean your smoker

Whether you're a meat lover or just curious about new flavors, this guide will give you a complete overview of the diversity of American BBQ cooking.

BBQ sauces

In the 17th century, ingredients for barbecue sauces were often locally sourced from Native American and African cultures. African slaves brought their culinary knowledge of spices and marinades, while Native Americans brought their expertise in smoking and curing meat.

African slaves used spices such as cayenne pepper, paprika, cloves and ginger to season meat. They also used vinegar and lemon juice to tenderize meat and add acidity to marinades.

Photo by Krista Bennett on Unsplash

Native Americans, meanwhile, used local woods to smoke and dry meat, such as hickory, oak, and mesquite. They also used local fruits to make sauces, such as the cranberry sauce used for game meats.

Over time, ingredients for barbecue sauces evolved to include ingredients from other culinary cultures, such as tomato and cane sugar, which were introduced by European settlers. Today, barbecue sauces are often made with a variety of ingredients, depending on the region and culinary tradition.

Why barbecue sauce?

Barbecue sauce is a great choice for grilled meats because it provides an unmistakable flavor that enhances the meat and the overall taste of the dish. Its main characteristics are its thick texture and subtle combination of sweet, salty, sour and smoky, which is perfect for grilled meats. It offers a rich aroma that blends harmoniously with the flavors developed during grilling. Unlike other sauces, barbecue sauce has the advantage of being able to be used as a marinade as well as a side sauce, which makes it versatile and practical.

Types of BBQ Sauces

Here is an overview of the most popular types of BBQ sauce (can you guess which one I use?):

North Carolina BBQ sauce: North Carolina BBQ sauce is made with vinegar and spices. It is used for grilled or spit-roasted whole hogs. This sauce is known to be lighter and more tangy than other types of BBQ sauce.

Kansas City BBQ Sauce: Kansas City BBQ sauce is a spicy, sweet tomato sauce that is used for ribs, brisket, pork and chicken. It is often considered the most popular BBQ sauce.

Photo by Z Grills Australia on Unsplash

Texas BBQ Sauce: Texas BBQ sauce is often made with tomatoes, chilies and spices. It is used for smoked beef brisket and sausages. This sauce is known for its smoky flavor and thick consistency.

Memphis BBQ Sauce: Memphis BBQ sauce is also made with tomatoes and spices, but is often less sweet than Kansas City BBQ sauce. It is used for ribs and smoked pork.

Of the major BBQ families, Kansas City sauce is considered the oldest, having been created in the 1920s by Kansas City restaurant owners looking to add flavor to their grilled meat. Today, BBQ sauces are a staple of American cuisine, and each region has its own interpretation of BBQ sauce.

Now that we're past the foodie geek part, we can get down to business: recipes!

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BBQ sauce recipes

North Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe

Here is the traditional North Carolina BBQ sauce recipe that I use, I don't remember exactly where the recipe came from originally but I sometimes add a few ingredients to try new things, feel free to change the ratios and do your own experiments!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, ketchup, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, salt, ground black pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring regularly.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Let the BBQ sauce cool before transferring to an airtight glass jar.
5. Store the sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. It can be used to drizzle over whole grilled or spit-roasted pork.

This North Carolina BBQ sauce recipe is slightly tangy and is perfect for those who love vinegar flavors. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more red pepper flakes or substitute them with different chilies like Chipotle or Arbol.

Kansas City BBQ sauce recipe - perfect for ribs

Kansas City BBQ sauce is an undisputed star in American cuisine. This Missouri city is often considered the BBQ capital of the world, and its sauce is a big part of that culinary tradition. Kansas City BBQ sauce is thick, rich and sweet, and is often used to drizzle over ribs, steaks or even sandwiches. Here's the recipe to make your own Kansas City BBQ sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, mix all ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce.
2. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture simmers.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
4. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool before transferring it to an airtight glass jar.
5. Store the sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. It will keep for about a week.

This Kansas City BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and offers a deep, complex flavor to all your meat dishes. Try it on ribs, pulled pork, grilled chicken or even a burger. And if you want to delve deeper into Kansas City's culinary culture, be sure to try other local specialties, such as smoked meat or BBQ baked beans. Enjoy your meal!

Texas BBQ sauce recipe - perfect for pork tenderloin or chicken

BBQ cooking is a true institution in Texas, and Texas BBQ sauce is no exception. Originating in the central and eastern regions of Texas, this sauce is characterized by its spicy flavor, smoky notes and acidity. Texas BBQ sauce is traditionally used to accompany grilled meats such as beef, pork or chicken. Here's an easy-to-make Texas BBQ sauce recipe at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Photo from Istock

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth sauce.
2. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture simmers.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool before transferring it to an airtight glass jar.
5. Store the sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. It will keep for about a week.

This Texas BBQ sauce is easy to make and has a spicy, tangy, smoky flavour that pairs well with grilled beef, pulled pork or chicken wings. Try this recipe to add a touch of Texas to your next barbecue!

Memphis BBQ Sauce Recipe

The city of Memphis, Tennessee is known for its unique and delicious style of BBQ cooking. Memphis BBQ sauce is one of the most popular in the United States, with a thick texture and a sweet, smoky flavor. This sauce is traditionally used to accompany pulled pork, but it also works well with other grilled meats. Here's an easy Memphis BBQ sauce recipe to make at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, mix all ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce.
2. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture simmers.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
4. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool before transferring it to an airtight glass jar.
5. Store the sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. It will keep for about a week.

This Memphis BBQ sauce offers a sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with pulled pork. Try this recipe to add a touch of Memphis to your next barbecue!

Conclusion: How to make your own BBQ sauce recipe?

As you've seen (and hopefully tasted!), BBQ sauces are a key part of American cooking and add a unique flavor to any grilled meat.

While we've explored the origins and some of the most popular BBQ sauce recipes, there are certainly many more to discover, and invent!

If you are a BBQ fan, there is always something new to try and learn. Whether it's different cuts of meat, cooking techniques or marinades, feel free to explore other recipes and try new ideas to find your own BBQ style.

Finally, remember that BBQ cooking is an art that requires patience and practice. Take the time to hone your skills and develop your own cooking style. With a little practice, you could become the BBQ master of your family, group of friends or even neighborhood!

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