3 Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipes

Each person has his own idea of what barbecue sauce should taste like. For example, my husband likes a thin, vinegar-y sauce, I like a honey barbecue sauce, and my son likes a mild citrus-y barbecue sauce for dipping.

When you look at these recipes, you'll notice that they all have of vinegar, ketchup, sugar and "another" ingredient. Go ahead and experiment with those other ingredients. For example, you may want to add more of a kick to the honey barbecue sauce by adding crushed red pepper flakes, or a put a squeeze of lime in the vinegar-y sauce to give it a bit of a Caribbean flavor. The possibilities are endless, and before you know it- you've come up with your own barbecue sauce! But for now, here are my family's three favorite barbecue sauce recipes:

Recipe for Vinegar-y Barbecue Sauce:

1 1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan.
Heat over low heat to a slow boil for about a minute.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Comments: My husband loves this, but it's a little too thin and vinegar-y for me. I have to admit that it's good on grilled pork chops, though. He also likes to pour it over macaroni salad.

Recipe for Honey Barbecue Sauce:

1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 cup clover honey
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan.
Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat as soon as it starts to bubble at the edges.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Comments: This sauce is really good on pulled pork, grilled chicken, and as a dip. This is my favorite barbecue sauce recipe, so if you're only going to make one sauce, pick this one.

Recipe for Barbecue Sauce with a Hint of Lime:

1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon white sugar
squeeze of lime juice

Whisk all ingredients.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Comments: This is especially popular with kids. I think it's because it's a little bit sweet, not smoky or spicy, and they really like the hint of lime in it. My son and his friends like to dip chicken and french fries in this barbecue sauce.

General Tip:
If you use barbecue sauce when grilling, don't put it on until near the end, or it'll char. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the last five minutes and give the meat two or three thin coats of barbecue sauce.

Enjoy one- or all three- of these barbecue sauce recipes!