Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe is a flavourful, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce made with onions, garlic, tomato paste, honey, and spices.
I decided to make this Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe because of my past experience preparing homemade BBQ sauces and wanting to try Ina Garten’s version.
Watching how she made it inspired me to recreate it in my own kitchen. Now I am ready to show step by step how to make this Ina Garten BBQ Sauce.
Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe is a rich, flavourful, and perfectly balanced sauce that combines tangy, sweet, and savoy elements.
Its main speciality lies in the harmonious blend of ingredients like Dijon mustard, hoisin sauce, honey, and cider vinegar, creating a depth of flavor that’s both bold and smooth.
The slow simmered onions, garlic, and spices add complexity without overpowering the palate. This Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe enhances grilled meats, sandwiches, and roasted vegetables, making it a standout homemade condiment that elevates any dish.
How To Prepare Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Sauce / Condiment
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: American (Southern style BBQ)
Yield: About 5 cups
Equipment Needed
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef’s knife and cutting board
- Whisk
- Airtight glass jar or container for storage
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Warm The Oil
Pour the vegetable oil into a large saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it’s warm and ready for cooking.
Step 2: Cook The Onions
Add the chopped yellow onions to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions become soft and translucent.
Step 3: Add The Garlic
Mix in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute, until you can smell its aroma. Be careful not to let it brown.
Step 4: Stir In The Tomato Paste
Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes to bring out a deep, rich tomato flavor.
Step 5: Add The Rest Of The Ingredients
Pour in the cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together so it’s fully combined.
Step 6: Simmer The Sauce
Turn the heat up slightly to bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally as it thickens and the flavours blend.
Step 7: Cool And Store
Take the pan off the heat and let the sauce cool down. Transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge. It will keep well for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 95 |
| Fat | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sodium | 310mg |
Recipe Variations
➣ Swap honey for brown sugar to create a deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
➣ Add smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke for a smoky, barbecue flavor.
➣ Incorporate fresh chopped jalapenos to give the sauce a spicy kick.
➣ Use maple syrup instead of honey to add a rich, earthy sweetness.
➣ Stir in a small amount of bourbon to give the sauce a warm, aromatic depth.
Hot Tips
➣ Simmer the sauce slowly on low heat to develop a deep, rich flavor and avoid burning the sugars.
➣ Toast the spices lightly in the pan before adding liquids to release their full aroma.
➣ Blend the sauce after cooking to achieve a smooth, velvety texture that clings beautifully to meats.
➣ Adjust the honey and vinegar ratios to create a sweeter or tangier profile without losing balance.
➣ Store in airtight jars and let it rest overnight for the flavours to meld and intensify.
Usage Suggestions
Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe adds a bold, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor to a variety of dishes. It enhances grilled or roasted chicken, ribs, and pork, giving them a rich, satisfying taste.
The sauce can be spread over burgers, sandwiches, or wraps to elevate their flavor. It works well as a dipping sauce for fries, vegetables, or nuggets.
Using it in marinades or glazes brings depth to any dish, making meals more flavourful and memorable.
Why Peoples Like Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe?
People love Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe because it combines sweet, tangy, and savoy flavours in a balanced way that enhances many dishes.
The Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe has a smooth texture and rich depth from ingredients like honey, Dijon mustard, and tomato paste.
Its flavor is bold but not overpowering, appealing to both adults and children. The combination of spices, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce creates a memorable taste.
Many enjoy using it on grilled meats, sandwiches, and as a dipping sauce, making it widely popular.
Storage And Shelf Life
Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, keeping it fresh and flavourful.
It maintains its quality for up to two weeks, allowing plenty of time to enjoy it on various dishes. The sauce thickens slightly as it cools, enhancing its texture and taste.
Reheating gently on the stove preserves the flavours. Proper storage ensures that each use delivers the same rich, tangy, and slightly sweet taste every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can This Sauce Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, it can be prepared a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Can I Adjust The Spiciness?
Yes, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes to make it milder.
Is This Sauce Gluten Free?
Check the soy sauce and hoisin sauce labels, as some brands contain gluten.
What Dishes Pair Best With This Sauce?
It works well on chicken, ribs, pork, burgers, sandwiches, and as a dipping sauce for vegetables or fries.
Conclusion
Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe was simple, fun, and the results were absolutely delicious. I truly enjoyed the process and the rich, flavourful sauce it produced.
I hope this inspires you to try it yourself because it is surprisingly easy to make. Soon you will prepare it in your own kitchen, and I look forward to hearing how wonderfully tasty and satisfying it turns out once you have made it.
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Ina Garten BBQ Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef’s knife and cutting board
- Whisk
- Airtight glass jar or container for storage
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Warm The Oil
- Pour the vegetable oil into a large saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it’s warm and ready for cooking.
Step 2: Cook The Onions
- Add the chopped yellow onions to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions become soft and translucent.
Step 3: Add The Garlic
- Mix in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute, until you can smell its aroma. Be careful not to let it brown.
Step 4: Stir In The Tomato Paste
- Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes to bring out a deep, rich tomato flavor.
Step 5: Add The Rest Of The Ingredients
- Pour in the cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together so it’s fully combined.
Step 6: Simmer The Sauce
- Turn the heat up slightly to bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally as it thickens and the flavours blend.
Step 7: Cool And Store
- Take the pan off the heat and let the sauce cool down. Transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge. It will keep well for up to two weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 95 | Fat: 5g | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sugar: 10g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 310mg“Hi, I’m Samia, a passionate recipe creator with 5 years of experience in crafting delicious, unique dishes. My love for cooking has led me to explore a variety of cuisines, combining flavors to create memorable meals for every occasion. Whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or an elaborate feast, I believe in making every dish special. Join me on my culinary journey as I share easy-to-follow recipes and tips that will inspire your cooking and bring joy to your kitchen!”