A southern cook needs a good homemade barbecue sauce for chicken, beef, and pork. Tony Roma’s Red Hot Barbecue Sauce is a signature sauce known for its bold and zesty flavors that add a kick of heat to any dish. This sauce is a perfect blend of tangy sweetness and fiery spices, making it a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts. With its rich and smoky aroma, this barbecue sauce is ideal for grilling, basting, marinating, or dipping, enhancing the taste of various meats and dishes.
The combination of ingredients, such as ketchup, vinegar, dark corn syrup, and molasses, provides a thick and luscious texture, giving the sauce a robust and satisfying mouthfeel. The addition of finely diced red bell pepper and crushed red pepper flakes adds a delightful spiciness that lingers on the palate. Furthermore, the inclusion of sugar and liquid smoke brings out the perfect balance of sweet and smoky notes, making this sauce incredibly addictive.
Tony Roma’s Red Hot Barbecue Sauce is versatile, suitable for various barbecue favorites like ribs, chicken, pork, and burgers. It’s also an excellent complement to grilled vegetables and can be used as a dipping sauce for appetizers. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply looking to elevate your home-cooked meals, this barbecue sauce is sure to impress with its bold flavors and fiery personality. It’s the perfect condiment for those who love a little heat with their barbecue experience.
SERVES: 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup vinegar
- ½ cup dark corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- ½ teaspoon finely diced red bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon Tabasco
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a saucepan over high heat, combine all of the ingredients.
- Use a whisk to blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer.
- Simmer the sauce uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can cook it for a bit longer. On the other hand, if the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding more vinegar.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- Barbecue Classics: Brush the Red Hot Barbecue Sauce over grilled or smoked meats such as ribs, chicken, pork chops, or beef brisket. The tangy and spicy flavors will add an extra dimension of taste to your favorite barbecue dishes.
- Burgers and Sandwiches: Use the sauce as a spread on burgers, sandwiches, and sliders to give them a kick of heat and a burst of flavor. It works particularly well with grilled chicken sandwiches and pulled pork sliders.
- Meat Marinade: Marinate your choice of meat, like chicken wings or drumsticks, in the Red Hot Barbecue Sauce for a few hours or overnight before grilling or baking. This will infuse the meat with the sauce’s bold flavors and keep it moist and tender.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve the Red Hot Barbecue Sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, or sweet potato fries. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional ketchup or ranch dip.
- Vegetarian Options: This sauce isn’t just for meat lovers. Brush it over grilled vegetables like corn on the cob, bell peppers, or zucchini to add a spicy and smoky twist to your veggie dishes.
- Pizza Topping: Use the Red Hot Barbecue Sauce as a unique and flavorful pizza sauce. Spread it on the pizza crust instead of the traditional tomato sauce, then add your favorite toppings like grilled chicken, red onions, and cheese.
- Wings and Drumettes: Toss freshly cooked chicken wings or drumettes in the Red Hot Barbecue Sauce to create mouthwatering and spicy buffalo-style wings.
- Party Appetizers: Use the sauce to create delectable party appetizers like barbecue meatballs or cocktail sausages. Simply coat the meatballs or sausages with the sauce and bake until heated through.
