This homemade BBQ sauce simmers tomato, cider vinegar and a little brown sugar into a spoonable sauce. Original Dust adds a smoky finish without relying on a heavy layer of sweet bottled sauce.
Make it with Original Desert Dust. Start with the amount listed, then taste before adding more.
1/3 cup (80 ml) water, plus more to thin if needed
2 tablespoons (25 g) packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon (15 g) tomato paste
1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 level teaspoon (5 ml) Original Desert Dust, plus up to 1/2 teaspoon more to taste
Directions
Combine the base. Whisk tomato sauce, vinegar, water, brown sugar, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce in a small heavy saucepan until the paste dissolves. Use plain tomato sauce rather than a seasoned pasta sauce.
Bring to a simmer. Set over medium heat, stirring often. When small bubbles appear, reduce the heat to low so the sauce bubbles gently rather than splattering vigorously.
Reduce gently. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom regularly. The sauce should coat a spoon but still pour. If it thickens too quickly, add water one tablespoon at a time.
Add the Dust. Stir in 1 teaspoon Original Dust and cook gently for 3–5 minutes more. Cool a spoonful before tasting. Add the optional extra Dust in small pinches only if wanted, remembering the Worcestershire sauce already contributes salt.
Serve or cool. Use warm as a serving sauce or let cool briefly before refrigerating in a covered container. If brushing onto grilled food, reserve a clean serving portion first and apply the cooking portion near the end so its sugars do not scorch.
Yield: About 1 1/2 cups; 12 servings.
The Dust In This Recipe
The Original Desert Dust
$12.99
Make it with Original Desert Dust. Start with the amount listed, then taste before adding more.
✦The Date Is the DifferenceOrganic Coachella Valley dates bring sweetness, body and depth.
✦Smoky & EarthyA balanced all-purpose blend made for everyday cooking.
It has a modest amount of brown sugar alongside vinegar and tomato. The date-based seasoning also contributes flavor. Taste a cooled spoonful before deciding whether you prefer more sweetness or acidity.
CAN I USE KETCHUP INSTEAD OF TOMATO SAUCE?
Not as a direct swap in this formula. Ketchup already contains sugar, vinegar and salt, so using it would change the balance. Start with plain no-salt-added tomato sauce for the quantities listed.
HOW DO I MAKE THE SAUCE THINNER?
Stir in water a tablespoon at a time while it is warm. Stop when it coats a spoon but pours easily. The sauce thickens slightly as it cools.
WHEN SHOULD I BRUSH IT ONTO GRILLED FOOD?
Apply a thin layer near the end of cooking, away from intense direct heat, and watch carefully. Tomato, sugar and dates can scorch. Keep a separate clean portion for serving.
IS THIS SAUCE VEGETARIAN?
Many Worcestershire sauces contain anchovies. Choose a labeled vegetarian alternative if needed and check the other ingredients for your requirements. The substitution may change the saltiness.
CAN I PRESERVE IT IN JARS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?
No. This is a refrigerator sauce, not a tested canning recipe. Its acidity and processing requirements have not been established for shelf-stable storage; do not water-bath can it using these instructions.
HOW LONG CAN I KEEP HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE?
Refrigerate promptly at 40°F (4°C) or colder and use within 3–4 days, or freeze small portions promptly for up to two months for best quality. Discard any sauce contaminated by a brush used on undercooked meat.
This slow cooker pulled pork starts with a boneless pork shoulder, a small amount of broth and Original Dust. Cook until it shreds easily, then mix in the juices gradually so the pork stays moist without turning soupy.
These baked chicken legs are drumsticks roasted until cooked through, then brushed with Original Dust near the end. A light coating and space on the tray help the skin brown without scorching the seasoning.
These oven potato wedges have golden cut sides and tender centers. Roast the potatoes with oil first, then toss with Original Dust while hot so the date-based seasoning keeps its flavor.
