It's easier than you might think to make thick, tangy, irresistible barbecue sauce at home from whole-food ingredients. Zero refined sugar, oil, or artificial colors! This is BBQ sauce you can actually feel good about eating.Yield: makes 2 cupsAdapted from Del's Basic Barbecue Sauce on forksoverknives.com.
Preheat a saute pan over medium heat. Cook the chopped onion for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow some color and caramelization to develop in the pan. You'll deglaze with water and other ingredients in a few minutes.
Once the onion is golden, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn't burn. Deglaze the pan with ¼ cup of water.
Add the remaining ingredients - tomato sauce, ½ cup water, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, molasses, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, salt, tamari, and liquid smoke, if using. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly reduced.
Remove from heat and let cool 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender, and blend until smooth. Pour into a jar, and allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Homemade BBQ sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.*Refer to post for help with adjusting sweetness, smokiness, saltiness, and spicy heat.