Smoky Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Name: Smoky Barbecue Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter (can substitute vegetable oil); 1/2 grated onion; 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes; 1/2 cup cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1/4 cup molasses; 1 to 4 chipotle chiles in adobo (depending on how hot you want your bbq sauce); 1 teaspoon liquid smoke; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage; Kosher salt, to taste

This smoky barbecue sauce from Hank Shaw is one of the best bbq sauces I have ever tasted. Smoky, spicy, and rich in flavor. Seriously good. ~Elise

Yep, I’m back with another barbecue creation. This time it’s a dark, rich sauce loaded with smoky flavor.

I designed this to go with red meat, preferably beef, venison or bison, but I bet it’d work with pork or poultry, too.

The two key ingredients in this sauce are chipotles in adobo and liquid smoke. Liquid smoke, which is essentially distilled smoke collected from moisture added while burning hickory — and it’s hickory smoke I use here — is available in most supermarkets.

Chipotles in adobo are easy to find in Latin markets, but if you cannot find them use chipotle powder instead. And if you can’t find chipotle powder, try using Spanish smoked paprika. If all else fails, use chili powder.

This sauce needs to be cooked slowly for at least 45 minutes, and 1 hour is better.

Use it on barbecued beef brisket, beef ribs, or on a burger.

Smoky Barbecue Sauce

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 70 mins

Total Time 80 mins

Servings 8 to 12 servings

Yield 2 cups

When handling the hot chiles in adobo, use gloves, or a plastic bag to protect your hands. After handling chiles wash your hands thoroughly in hot soapy water. Do not touch your eyes for several hours.

4 tablespoons butter (can substitute vegetable oil)
1/2 onion, grated
Kosher salt, to taste
1 to 4 chipotle chiles in adobo (depending on how hot you want your bbq sauce)
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage

Sauté the grated onion in butter:

Heat the butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until it froths (or heat vegetable oil until hot), then add the grated onion. Sprinkle a little salt over the onion. Sauté until the onion just begins to color, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Mince the chipotle chile:

While the onions are cooking, finely chop the chipotle chiles in adobo. They are hot, so start with one chile. You can add as many more as you want later.
Add chipotle and remaining ingredients to the onions:

Add the chipotle to with the onions, then add the tomatoes, vinegar, molasses, sugar, liquid smoke, and chopped sage. Stir to combine and let this simmer for 5 minutes. Taste it and add salt and more chipotle if you want.
Simmer:

Simmer the sauce gently, uncovered, for 1 hour. Before serving, taste one more time for salt and chile.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
79	Calories
4g	Fat
11g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories	79
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 10mg	3%
Sodium 127mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 4mg	18%
Calcium 33mg	3%
Iron 1mg	5%
Potassium 236mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.