Sauce of the Summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, so it’s the perfect time to make an amazing caramelized onion BBQ sauce you can use all season long. It’s sweet, sticky, and SO much more flavorful than store-bought sauces. Make a single batch for dinner tonight or make extra so you’ll have it at the ready all summer long. Slather it on just about everything—grilled chicken, tofu, pork, beef, or salmon. Use as a dip for chicken nuggets or sweet potato fries. Spread it on pizza or sandwiches… oh the endless possibilities!

HOT TIPS
>>>Make ahead to allow flavors to meld. Multiply the recipes and chill or freeze for later. To store, transfer to an airtight container; chill up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
>>>Use a heavy bottom saucepan, if possible. A heavy bottom on your saucepan will help prevent scorching. Be sure to simmer the sauce lowest heat setting and stir often.
>>>Tailor to your tastes. If you prefer a smooth sauce, give a whirl in a blender. Like more spice? Increase the black pepper and add some hot sauce. Cutting sugar from your diet? Reduce or eliminate it altogether. Like it tangier? Add more vinegar. Use our recipe as a starting off point, then adjust it as you like. 

3 EASY STEPS TO BBQ HEAVEN

Step 1 Sizzle the onions. Melt the butter and cook onions over medium-high heat to give them a good browning around the edges. This gets them soft and also creates layers of flavor via the different levels of browning on each piece. 

Step 2 Caramelize low and slow. After the onions are browned and softened, add the sugar and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring until the sugar melts and becomes deeply browned and caramelized. 

Step 3 Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thick and dark brown.

It’s ready when the sauce takes on a mahogany color and a glossy, shimmery appearance!

FLAVOR CHANGE-UPS
Spicy Sesame Stir in 2 tsp. gochujang, 1 tsp. sesame seeds, and ¼ tsp. sesame oil.
Chipotle Add 1 canned chipotle pepper, minced. Swap the celery salt for 1 tsp. chili powder.
Orange Pomegranate Swap out the dark molasses for pomegranate molasses. Stir in ½ tsp. orange zest after cooking.
Balsamic Swap out the sherry vinegar for balsamic vinegar. Swap out the molasses for balsamic glaze. 

Caramelized Onion BBQ Sauce

Annie & Skyler

This sweet, sticky sauce is perfect on anything from pulled pork to grilled shrimp to fried tofu. If using on the grill, brush on in the last 5 to 10 minutes of grilling for the perfect char.

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Course sauce

Cuisine American, BBQ

Servings 1 cup

Ingredients

  

• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 3 Tbsp. cane sugar, brown sugar, or honey
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 3 Tbsp. Sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar, or cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. molasses
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ tsp. celery salt or celery seed

Instructions

 

• In a medium skillet cook onions in butter over medium-high heat until softened and browned around the edges, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add sugar and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and onions are caramelized and sticky. Stir in tomato puree, vinegar, molasses, salt, paprika, black pepper, and celery salt. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes. 

Keyword barbecue, barbecue recipe, BBQ recipes, homemade BBQ, homemade sauce