Texas Style BBQ Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of smoky, tangy sauce bubbling on the stove, evoking memories of summer cookouts and family gatherings. This Texas Style BBQ Sauce Recipe is rich, flavorful, and only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, ensuring your BBQ moments are always enhanced by this delicious concoction. Its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity guarantees it will elevate any grilled meat to new heights.

This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves BBQ, whether you’re hosting a weekend cookout or planning a simple family dinner. You can make it ahead of time, and it stores easily, so you’ll always have a flavorful sauce at the ready.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It combines a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors.
• The texture is thick, ideal for slathering on grilled meats.
• This sauce can be simmered down for a more concentrated flavor.
• It’s versatile – great for dipping, marinating, or as a cooking sauce.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delicious BBQ sauce.

For the Sauce Base

• 1 Cup water
• 2/3 Cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 1/4 Cup molasses
• 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
• 1/2 Tsp Tabasco
• 1 Tbsp Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp liquid smoke

For the Spice Mix

• 1/2 Tbsp 16 mesh black pepper
• 1/2 Tsp dry mustard
• 1 Tsp New Mexico chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1/2 Tsp Morton kosher salt

For the Thickener

• 2 Tbsp corn starch
• 1/2 Tbsp water

Note: Liquid smoke gives a great smoky flavor.

Substitutions & Swaps

• Use apple cider vinegar instead of distilled.
• Substitute honey for molasses for a different sweetness.
• Any chili powder can work if you don’t have New Mexico.
• Brown sugar can be replaced with white sugar for less depth.

How to Make It

Follow these simple steps to craft your delicious BBQ sauce.

Combine liquids

In a medium saucepan, combine water, distilled white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Stir until combined.

Add sweeteners

Add dark brown sugar and molasses to the mixture, ensuring they’re dissolved and well mixed.

Mix in tomato paste

Incorporate the tomato paste into the sauce until well combined.

Prepare the thickener

In a separate bowl, combine 2 Tbsp corn starch and 1/2 Tbsp water to form a slurry.

Add thickener and spices

Add the corn starch slurry to the sauce, then whisk in the remaining dry ingredients until evenly incorporated.

Boil and simmer

Set the burner to medium heat and bring the sauce to a slight boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to low/simmer and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cool and store

Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, take it off the heat to cool. After cooling, transfer to a mason jar or similar container for storage.

How to Store It

Fridge: 1-2 weeks in an airtight container.
Freezer: Yes, for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Gently on the stove or microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Tips for Best Results

• Adjust the liquid smoke to taste for smokiness.
• Taste and tweak the spice levels before simmering.
• Allow the sauce to cool fully before sealing to prevent condensation.

Serving Suggestions

• Brush it over ribs or grilled chicken for added flavor.
• Use as a dipping sauce for grilled veggies or fries.
• Smother on burgers for a rich, tangy kick.