Red, White, and Yellow: A Trio of Homemade Barbeque Sauces

Summer is coming, which means that barbeque season is around the corner. Get ready for this season barbeque by learning how to make your own homemade barbeque sauces. It is important to know that barbeque sauces come in a variety of colors and flavors. Red barbeque sauces are tomato based, yellow barbeque sauces are mustard based, and white barbeque sauces are mayonnaise based. So whip up a few varieties, and be prepared to impress your friends.

Each of these homemade barbeque sauces can be adjusted to suit your tastes. You can increase the sweetness in any of these barbeque sauces by adding brown sugar, honey, or molasses or adjust the heat content by adding or omitting hot sauce, black pepper, or cayenne pepper. A smoky flavor can be added by adding a teaspoon on liquid smoke.

Homemade Red Barbeque Sauce

2 T. oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ c. brown sugar

1 c. ketchup

¼ c. cider vinegar

1 T. Worcestershire Sauce

1 T. prepared mustard

Several dashes hot sauce (such as Tobasco brand)

Salt and pepper

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and brown sugar, Stir until combined and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, mustard, and hot sauce. For a spicier sauce, add more hot sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes uncovered. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Leave the sauce as it is for a chunky consistency, or for a smoother consistency use a hand blender to process the sauce until smooth.

Homemade Yellow (Mustard) Barbeque Sauce

2 T. melted butter or oil

1 onion, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, minced

1/3 c. cider vinegar

2/3 c. prepared mustard

1/4 c. Dijon mustard

2 T. honey

1/3 c. corn syrup

Salt and cayenne pepper

Heat butter or oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and jalapenos and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce is thick.

Homemade White Barbeque Sauce

1/2 c. apple cider vinegar

1/2 c. mayonnaise

2 T. black pepper

2 T. lemon juice

Mix all ingredients well. Add water or white wine to thin to desired consistency. Use white barbeque sauce to baste poultry, fish, or pork while barbequing.

Note: All three of these barbeque sauces will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. The ingredients in the red and yellow barbeque sauces make them well suited to canning if you want to make larger batches.