Introduction: OUTSTANDING BARBECUE SAUCE for Ribs or Chicken
This is my BBQ Sauce recipe that I created OVER 36 yrs. ago!!! Awesome favors, first your taste buds notice a tangy flavor, followed by sweetness, but not too much. Then, you notice a bit of heat with a slight smoky taste!! A true classic. BBQ sauce, It is very popular with users of 'ceramic' type smokers and grills.
But word of caution...Making this BBQ Sauce is an excellent way to clean out your sinuses is making homemade BBQ Sauce, wow! But first, cutting the onions finely definitely make you cry (eyes water), big time!!
One word of advice, PLEASE try not to make this when you have a "hangover", if regular smells won't get to you, this BBQ Sauce will for sure!!! I know first hand: - (
Step 1: OUTSTANDING BARBECUE SAUCE :)
Ingredients:
2 medium onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 cup chili sauce
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2-4 teaspoons liquid smoke (opt)
Step 2:
In a 3 qt. non-reactive saucepan, combine mixing well, onions, garlic, catsup, water, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, lemon juice, dry mustard, pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper, (all ingredients, except liquid smoke).
Step 3:
Simmer, the sauce, uncovered, for 1 hr.
Step 4:
Add the liquid smoke and bring to a boil. Cook for another 20 mins. Once the BBQ sauce has cooked long enough, the sauce thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon and holds it's shape. As the sauce cools, it thickens up more.
Step 5: Grilling!
Prepare the grill for direct by manufacture with indirect cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).
Brush the cooking grates clean. Rub the spice rub on 2-3 lbs. of beef or pork ribs before cooking, as the spice rub forms a coat on the food. The ribs can be marinated in the spice rub for up to 5 hours.
Spice Rub for Ribs and Chicken
Rub is great with coat 2 pounds of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the rub.
Ingredients:
3 TBSP. brown sugar
2 TBSP. sweet paprika
4 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. coarse ground pepper
Combine the spices, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Rub the spice rub on ribs before cooking, the spice rub forms a coat on the food. The ribs can be marinated in the spice rub for up to 2 hours before cooking, some time for the flavors to incorporate into the meat or it can be cooked immediately after it is coated in the rub.
Place the ribs on the grill, bone side down, to begin cooking. Avoid the ribs touching. Sear the ribs over direct medium heat with the lid closed as much as possible, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes, turning once.
Open the lid, and evenly pour some BBQ Sauce over the ribs. Grill the ribs over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until very tender, about 1¾ hours, turning once.
When the meat starts to pull away from the end of the bones, use the tongs to wiggle a rib to test. Meat should be tender, and be loose from the bone, when done. Serve the ribs hot with the reserved BBQ Sauce

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13 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
HELLO! I have a couple of questions. First, under STEP 1 I see amongst all your bottles one labeled Heinz Chili Sauce but it lists nowhere in your ingredients for the sauce. Also, northern California here and do not care for sweetness in BBQ sauce, at least in our family. Is this one very sweet and if I cut back the sugar will it ruin the taste of the sauce completely? Thanks so much.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
A good morning to you nursemk, as for the chili sauce, I add 1/4 c.(thanks for pointing it out to me, legal blind so hard reading longer paragraphs, etc.)
My recipe is sweet, but not to sweet, taste buds notice sweetness, then heat, followed a smoky flavor (but not too strong). Have a great weekend and happy cooking!!! Cyann : )
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Your chili sauce correction and explanation is greatly appreciated!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You're so welcome and I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and friends do... I regulate the liquid smoke and cayenne based on who I make it for. Men like it with 1/2 to 1 tsp. cayenne and 1/8 cup liquid smoke.
8 years ago on Introduction
Straight to my cook book
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I hope you try this, I created it LONG ago.... just last week I sent a picture of the ribs to my son who served in both wars H e said he still remembers the sauce,. He loved the sauce and the way I made chicken wings (recipe posted on home page), with it. Sent him the recipe, now he cooks them!!!
8 years ago on Introduction
Put this in my mouth please.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Have a nice evening!!
8 years ago on Introduction
I checked, it's there, it is 1 cup ketchup but silly me had mistakenly spelt it "catcup". Thank you for writing and bringing it to my attention!!!! And a happy Sunday!! Cyann ; - )
8 years ago on Introduction
Hi Cyann! This looks really good, but unfortunately the ketchup is missing from the list of ingredients... how much to use?
8 years ago on Introduction
I hope you'll give this recipe a try. If you do, be sure to leave myself a comment or two in the section at the bottom of this page and let me know ... Greatly Appreciated, Cyann : - )
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
thats almost like i do my bbq sauce... i add some bacon. slice the bacon as fine as possible. put i in a hot pan and let it get dark... almost burned and add it to the rest. a dash of burbon also good. as a substitude to the brown sugar you can take a can of coke ;) and let it simmer for a while .. good flavour and sweet enough
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I started this back in 1982, and love it.... Thank you for sharing and I hope you'll have a great weekend where ever you are.