How to Make Memphis BBQ Sauce
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Discover how to make Memphis BBQ sauce with this easy and flavorful recipe. This sauce combines sweet, tangy, and smoky elements to elevate your favorite barbecue dishes to new heights.
Memphis BBQ sauce is not just a condiment; it’s a cultural icon steeped in the culinary traditions of the American South. Known for its unique blend of sweet and tangy flavors, this sauce has become a staple at barbecues everywhere.
Even though I spent most of my life in Maryland, the majority of my extended family, as well as my parents, are from Memphis, so I’ve been enjoying Memphis BBQ my whole life. The sweet, tangy BBQ sauce is the key!
What Makes Memphis-style BBQ Sauce Different?
Memphis BBQ sauce stands out for its unique balance of flavors. Unlike Kansas City sauce, which is typically thicker and sweeter, or Carolina sauce, which is more vinegar-based, Memphis sauce strikes a middle ground with a thinner consistency and a sweet-yet-tangy profile. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for a variety of dishes, enhancing the meat without overpowering it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The key to a great homemade BBQ sauce is layering the flavors. You need ketchup and brown sugar for sweetness, some tangy apple cider vinegar, a little smokey flavor from liquid smoke. Throw in some standard spices, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want to add some heat, and a little Worcestershire for a savory flavor, and you’ve got an awesome BBQ sauce!
How to Make Memphis BBQ Sauce
Step 1 – Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until they are well combined.
Step 2 – Bring to a boil. Cook the ingredients over medium-high heat, whisking constantly as you do so. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Step 3 – Let cool. After 20 minutes remove the sauce from the heat. Now it’s ready to use! If you are making it ahead of time let it cool before placing it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Take your BBQ recipes to the next level by combining this delicious BBQ sauce with our Memphis Dry Rub!
Ways to Use BBQ Sauce
I use this easy homemade BBQ sauce on everything. Memphis BBQ sauce is traditionally paired with pork (Memphis loves good pulled pork!) and I always put it on my Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork or Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork and then I take that delicious pork and add it to my BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders along with a little extra sauce!
It also makes a great addition to ribs, beef, or pork—it doesn’t matter—but I especially love it on St. Louis-style Ribs, including my Slow-Cooker BBQ Ribs and Instant Pot Ribs.
No trip to a Memphis BBQ joint would be complete without a Memphis Sausage and Cheese Platter. This delicious BBQ sausage is served as an appetizer with cheese, pepper, and pickles.
Of course BBQ sauce isn’t only good on pork! We add it to our slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken which we put on our BBQ chicken sliders and it is the perfect addition to Cheddar BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
If you’re thinking outside of the box BBQ sauce makes a delicious topping for our Easy Meatloaf rather than plain ketchup. You can also cook it with frozen meatballs to make these BBQ meatball sliders.
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Memphis BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups Ketchup
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons Mustard powder
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
- 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne, optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk them together until well combined.
- Bring the pot to a boil, whisking constantly, and then reduce to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and it's ready to be used. If you are making it ahead of time let it cool before placing it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
can you can this for long periods of time?
Homemade BBQ Sauce lasts 7 – 10 days in the fridge.
Ladies I made this sausage as an addition to my summer luncheon and you won’t believe how fast it disappeared! Obviously it was a favorite on my buffet table. Next time I will have to double the quantity. Thank you so much for this easy and yummy recipe!