Molasses BBQ Sauce Recipe
Molasses BBQ Sauce Recipe blends sweet and smoky flavors into one bold, homemade recipe. Made with ingredients like molasses, ketchup, garlic, vinegar, and BBQ spices, it simmers into a rich, thick sauce perfect for grilling, dipping, or slow-cooked dishes. Easy to make and full of depth, it stores well in the fridge and adds instant flavor to any meal.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Storage jar or container (for refrigerating leftovers)
Ingredients
- 1 cup molasses
- 4 tablespoons classic BBQ dry rub
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup red wine vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Start With The Aromatics:
- Grab a medium sized saucepan and set it over medium heat. Pour in a bit of olive oil just enough to coat the bottom. Once it’s warm, toss in the diced onion. Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring now and then, until it softens and turns translucent.
Step 2: Add The Garlic:
- Now, stir in the minced garlic. Let that cook for another minute or two. You’re just looking for it to become fragrant don’t let it brown.
Step 3: Deglaze And Build The Base:
- Splash in the red wine vinegar to loosen up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan. Scrape up all those flavourful bits. Stir in the Dijon mustard, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it bubble gently for a couple of minutes.
Step 4: Add The Rest:
- Turn the heat down low. Stir in the molasses, ketchup, BBQ rub, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce. Give everything a good mix so it’s fully blended.
Step 5: Let It Simmer:
- Keep the sauce on low heat and let it gently simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir once in a while so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. The sauce will thicken a bit and the flavours will really come together.
Step 6: Optional Step Blend It:
- If you want a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender right in the pot. Or let it cool a bit and blend it in a regular blender.
Step 7: Taste Test:
- Give it a taste and tweak as needed maybe a little more vinegar if you like it tangy, more molasses for extra sweetness, or a bit more BBQ rub if you want to crank up the flavour.
Step 8: Cool And Store:
- Once it’s done, let the sauce cool down completely. Then pour it into a clean jar or airtight container. Store it in the fridge it should keep well for up to two weeks.
Notes
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it after cooking or strain out any spice bits. Also, remember that the flavour improves after resting overnight, so making it a day ahead is ideal.