World's Fair Barbecue Sauce
Tangy-sweet sauce for smoked pork shoulder. Simmer 10-15 minutes; stores up to 1 month. Uses ketchup, cider vinegar, honey, molasses and World's Fair Rub.
Tangy and slightly sweet, this barbecue sauce recipe is perfect for smoked pork shoulder.
Submitted by: Geoff Marshall from Chicago, IL
Yield: Roughly 3 cups
- Bright, tangy-sweet sauce built from ketchup, cider vinegar, honey and molasses with a touch of mustard and hot sauce.
- Simmer 10 to 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring often to marry flavors and prevent burning.
- Stores in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month; freeze for longer storage.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized sauce pot. Whisk to combine.
Place pot on stove, over medium heat.
Bring sauce to a simmer, and continue simmering for 10-15 minutes while stirring to prevent the sugar from burning. Heating the sauce marries the flavors, and reducing it slightly will concentrate them.
Serve sauce warm with barbecued meats such as pulled pork, smoked sausages or hot links, and chicken.
Sauce can be chilled and stored in an air-tight container and will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
This recipe calls for our World's Fair Barbecue Rub, but you can experiment with whichever barbecue seasoning is your favorite. You can also add more of the barbecue blend than called for if you want a stronger flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this barbecue sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to three months. Reheat gently before serving.
How can I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?
Simmer the sauce uncovered a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken. For a quicker fix, stir in a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water), then simmer until it clears and thickens. Tomato paste will also thicken and add body.
Can I substitute the honey and molasses? Is there a vegan option?
Yes. Replace honey with maple syrup or extra brown sugar. If you need a vegan version, use maple syrup plus a bit of dark brown sugar or extra molasses for depth. Adjust amounts to taste because sweetness and flavor depth will change.
What can I use instead of World's Fair Barbecue Rub?
Any favorite barbecue rub or seasoning blend will work. Start with the same amount called for, then taste and add more if you want a stronger rub flavor.
Can I use this sauce as a marinade or for basting while smoking?
Yes. It works as a finishing sauce and for basting during cooking. If you marinate raw meat in the sauce, do not use that marinade as a serving sauce unless you bring it to a full boil first to kill any bacteria.
How do I prevent the sugars from burning while simmering?
Use a heavy-bottomed pot, keep heat at medium or medium-low, and stir frequently. Watch closely as the sauce reduces because sugars can burn quickly once the liquid drops.
Can I can this sauce for pantry storage?
Home canning of sweet tomato-based sauces needs a tested recipe to ensure safety. If you want shelf-stable jars, follow a trusted, tested canning method. Otherwise, refrigerate or freeze the sauce.
How long will this barbecue sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to three months. Reheat gently before serving.
How can I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?
Simmer the sauce uncovered a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken. For a quicker fix, stir in a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water), then simmer until it clears and thickens. Tomato paste will also thicken and add body.
Can I substitute the honey and molasses? Is there a vegan option?
Yes. Replace honey with maple syrup or extra brown sugar. If you need a vegan version, use maple syrup plus a bit of dark brown sugar or extra molasses for depth. Adjust amounts to taste because sweetness and flavor depth will change.
What can I use instead of World's Fair Barbecue Rub?
Any favorite barbecue rub or seasoning blend will work. Start with the same amount called for, then taste and add more if you want a stronger rub flavor.
Can I use this sauce as a marinade or for basting while smoking?
Yes. It works as a finishing sauce and for basting during cooking. If you marinate raw meat in the sauce, do not use that marinade as a serving sauce unless you bring it to a full boil first to kill any bacteria.
How do I prevent the sugars from burning while simmering?
Use a heavy-bottomed pot, keep heat at medium or medium-low, and stir frequently. Watch closely as the sauce reduces because sugars can burn quickly once the liquid drops.
Can I can this sauce for pantry storage?
Home canning of sweet tomato-based sauces needs a tested recipe to ensure safety. If you want shelf-stable jars, follow a trusted, tested canning method. Otherwise, refrigerate or freeze the sauce.
Comments