Summer is the perfect time to get to grilling and to test out some fun, delicious, and smoky recipes that pair well with the long, warm nights we experience throughout the summer months. Whether you are preparing a full course BBQ meal, a small picnic in the park, or a leftover lunch created from last night’s dinner, here are some extraordinary homemade BBQ sauce recipes that will enhance your grilled/smoked meats and will leave you lingering for more. Below is a list of different styles of BBQ sauces located around America, and also a couple of recipes that we could not resist to include.

North/East Carolina-Style

The East Carolina-Style BBQ sauce is a vinegar-based dressing that is very thin, tangy, back to the basic BBQ sauce that will leave you with a slight kick of spice and passion, pairing perfectly with fatty pork meats (we suggest chicken for this one as well). This style is best known for being utilized as a “mopping sauce” to baste the pork (chicken) or to be used as a dipping sauce. Keep in mind that the main enhancers of this specific BBQ sauce will be; cider vinegar, cayenne, tabasco, black pepper/salt, and red pepper flakes. Here is a delicious recipe (Taste of Home) for the East Carolina-Style BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• 1 cup Cider Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (substitution: White Sugar/Molasses)
• 2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
• 2 to 3 teaspoons Hot Pepper Sauce (Tabasco)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ to 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

*Remember you can add any desired spices to turn up the flavor, for example, Worcestershire Sauce or Cayenne Pepper.

Directions

• It is simplest if you find a jar to make this BBQ sauce because all you have to do is integrate all of the ingredients in the jar, shake until the sugar is dissolved, and it is ready to be utilized within your meals. Note: the longer you allow the flavors to set, the spicier it will become.
• If needed, you can also whisk the ingredients together in a bowl at first, until the sugar has dissolved, and then store in a separate container.

South Carolina-Style

The South Carolina-Style BBQ sauce has a piquant flavor of rich and tangy mustard can maintain a sense of sweetness or bitterness depending on your personal preference. This specific sauce will make a beautiful combination including beef, pork, and chicken. Make sure that you are aware that the base of this BBQ sauce will contain mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices of choosing. Below is a recipe (House of Nash Eats) for the bold and rich mustard-based South Carolina-Style BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• ¾ cup Yellow Mustard
• ⅓ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• ¼ cup Honey
• ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Ketchup
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Hot Sauce
• ¼ teaspoon Chipotle Chili Powder

*Remember to add any extra flavors for your preference or direction of your meal, the same goes for removing spices that you do not favor.

Directions

• Add each ingredient to a bowl and whisk well, until substances are fully combined.
• Use right away or store refrigerated in a jar up to a few weeks. (Flavors combine and intensify over a few days, so prepare accordingly for your meal).

Western Carolina-Style

This Western Carolina-Style BBQ sauce has a comparable taste to the East Carolina-Style BBQ sauce, but starts with a tomato base and has a thicker and sweeter tang to it than the thin vinegar-flavors alluded within the East Carolina-Style BBQ sauce. Below is a yummy recipe (Big Oven) for the Western Carolina-Style BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• 4 cups Cider Vinegar
• 1 ⅓ cup Ketchup
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• ¼ cup Butter
• 2 tablespoons Hot Pepper Sauce
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 teaspoons Mustard Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

Directions

• Take all of the ingredients and place them into a saucepan, bringing to a simmer on high heat.
• Then, reduce the heat to a medium-low temperature and let simmer for 30 more minutes while stirring occasionally.
• Remove the saucepan from the stovetop and pour it into a heat-proof bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate the sauce for two days before using to allow the flavors to blend nicely. (Plan in preparation for the meal)

Kansas City-Style

The Kansas City-Style BBQ sauce is similar to the Western Carolina-Style sauce listed above, however, it is thicker and sweeter. It starts with a tomato base, enhanced with sugar, vinegar, and spices for a delicious dressing, perfect to top off a rack of ribs with. This style of BBQ sauce is highly common throughout America and is known as the traditional/commercial style of BBQ sauce. Here is a delicious recipe (Countryside Craving) for the Kansas City-Style BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• 2 cups Ketchup
• ½ cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• ⅓ cup Molasses
• ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Onion Powder
• 2 tablespoons Prepared Yellow Mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• Dash of Salt and Pepper for taste

Directions

• Combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Use low heat and simmer for approximately ten minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from heat and pour the contents into a heat-proof container for storage and enjoy. Note: a jar works best.

Memphis-Style

This Memphis-Style BBQ sauce is a lovely combination of both sweet and spicy that is a thin dressing that is not too sticky and will pair well on top of ribs, pulled pork, and even chicken. It is a sauce of many trades and is a delicious garnish for any of your meals. Here is a recipe (Tarateaspoon) for the Memphis-Style BBQ sauce that will leave you wanting more:

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups Ketchup
• 1 cup Cider Vinegar
• ⅔ cup Cane Syrup (substitution: equal parts of Molasses and Light Corn Syrup)
• ¼ cup Minced Onion
• ¼ cup Honey
• 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
• ½ teaspoon Ground Allspice
• ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Directions

• Use a medium-high heat setting and combine every element and stir them together.
• Bring to a simmer and cook for ten more minutes, then remove from heat.
• Make sure the sauce cools before using and enjoy.

Florida-Style BBQ Sauce

The Florida-Style BBQ sauce is completely different than other your typical heavy and smoky dressing. It is quite the opposite using citrus, zesty, and light flavors that will make your mouth water, excited for another bite! Here is a lovely recipe (Taste of Home) for the Florida-style BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• 4 cups Ketchup
• 1 cup Orange Juice
• ½ cup Lemon Juice
• ½ cup Honey
• ⅓ cup Lime Juice
• 1 tablespoon Grated Orange Zest
• 2 teaspoons Grated Lemon Zest
• 2 teaspoons Grated Lime Zest
• ½ to 2 teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 Large Onion (finely chopped)

Directions

• Use a large saucepan and combine all ingredients as you bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer (uncovered) until the sauce has thickened. Approximately thirty to thirty-five minutes.
• Store, refrigerate and enjoy.

Alabama White Sauce

The Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce is a different combination of ingredients that will leave you with a creamy, tangy, and zesty flavor that will enhance your meal perfectly. Here is a recipe (Amazing Ribs) below of the Alabama White Sauce:

Ingredients

• ¾ cup Mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• ¼ cup Lemon Juice
• ¼ cup Apple Juice
• 1 tablespoon Powdered Garlic
• 1 tablespoon Prepared Horseradish
• 1 tablespoon Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ½ teaspoon Finely Ground Cayenne Pepper

Directions

• The only step you have to take is to whisk together all of the ingredients together and it is ready to eat.

Sweet: Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce

This BBQ sauce will allude to a sweet-tasting sauce with a smoky, rich tanginess that will amplify any of your BBQ cookout meals. Here is a delicious recipe (The Frozen Biscuit) for a honey bourbon BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• ½ cup Bourbon
• ½ cup Molasses
• ¼ cup Honey
• ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• 4 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Shallot or Mild Onion (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons Corn Starch (see directions for this step)
• 1 ½ teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Sweet Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
• ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon Allspice (optional)
• 3 Cloves Garlic (crushed/minced)
• 3oz Tomato Paste

Directions

• First, you will heat the oil in a small saucepan.
• Then, include the minced garlic, onion powder, the paprika spices, tomato paste, and cook on medium heat until the color has darkened and the consistency has slightly thickened.
• Next, pour the bourbon and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
• After, add all of the remaining ingredients (*Cornstarch: whisk into 2 tablespoons of cold water until there is a smooth consistency, however, only use this if you are making the sauce to baste right away. If you are making the sauce for later use, the cornstarch will not be necessary as your BBQ sauce will thicken overnight) and simmer on a medium-high temperature for ten minutes.
  • Optional: If you do not prefer the chunkiness of the onion and garlic within your sauce, you can put this BBQ sauce in a blender and pulse until there is a smooth consistency.
• Store in an airtight container and it is ready to be served.

Spicy: Mango Jalapeno BBQ Sauce

This Spicy Mango Jalapeno BBQ Sauce has a kick of flavor and savory taste that will give an exceptional enrichment to your meal. Here is a scrumptious recipe (Vindulge) for a Mango Jalapeno BBQ sauce:

Ingredients

• 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 cup Mango Cubes
• 2 tablespoons Honey, Molasses, or Maple Syrup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
• ½ tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• ½ tablespoon Dry Mustard
• ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice
• 3 Cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 Small to Medium Yellow Onion (chopped)
• 1 Jalapeno (stems/seeds removed, diced)
• 3 oz Tomato Paste
• 1 (15oz can) Tomato Sauce

Direction

• Use a large pot and medium setting to melt the butter, olive oil, and add the onions. Stir occasionally until the onions until golden soft and start to caramelize. (about twenty minutes; may need to turn down the heat if browning too quickly)
• Then, include the garlic and jalapenos and whip together for two minutes.
• Bring to simmer as you throw in the rest of the ingredients and cook for fifteen to twenty minutes. (or until the mango cubes have softened)
• Then, blend your BBQ sauce until the chunks are gone and it becomes a smooth consistency.
• Make sure to taste test along the way so you can adjust your spices to your preference.

Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce

The exquisite and delicate flavors from Pinot Noir with the bold and dense flavors of BBQ sauce make for a perfect combination and element for your meal. Here is a mouthwatering recipe (Vindulge) for a Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce:

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pinot Noir (other light-bodied Red Wine)
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• ½ teaspoon Dry Mustard
• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2 shallots (diced; ⅓ cup red onion works too)
• 2 Garlic Cloves (finely diced)

Directions

• Take olive oil and shallots and place it into a saucepan on medium heat until cooked thoroughly and become translucent. (if it starts to brown, turn down the heat) Then, add garlic and cook for approximately two more minutes while stirring occasionally.
• Next, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, and the dry mustard and stir all together consistently for one minute.
• Then, add the Pinot Noir and turn the heat up as you bring the wine to a boil. Next, reduce the heat to a simmer for approximately five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally. (Want the Pinot Noir to reduce about ¼ to ⅓ for the flavor)
• Next, add the ketchup and bring to a simmer again while stirring for about five more minutes and then remove from heat. Let cool and store in a heat-proof container.

*For added flavor you can include 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar to the wine and simmer together, stirring for about eight minutes.

Whether you are throwing a backyard BBQ or need some relaxing and serene tunes while preparing your summertime meal, check out our Backyard BBQ playlist on Duluth Pack’s Spotify.

We hope this gave you some inspiration for your next grilled meal, feel free to shout with any questions or more recipe suggestions at [email protected]!

Happy barbecuing, friends!