Best BBQ Sauce

bbq sauce is a very personal thing. some like it sweet, some like it hot, some like it with a vinegar tang, some like it smoky or with honey. i have tried many a homemade bbq sauce and this one adapted from the barefoot contessa herself is my personal favorite.

ina garten said she came up with this sauce by trying three different bbq styles. one was asian inspired, one was a honey bbq, and the third was a carolina vinegar based bbq. when each one turned out to be a bust, she combined them all together and it was magic.

i love this sauce! it has a lot of ingredients but it's worth the trouble because it makes a big batch. i keep some in the fridge and freeze the rest so i have bbq ready all summer and never have to use the dreaded bottled stuff. i use it on shrimp, grilled chicken, hamburgers, and even on ribs. seriously, you need to try this stuff!

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Best BBQ Sauce
(adapted from ina garten)


3 tbs vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow onion (1 large onion)
3 large cloves minced garlic
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs chipotle chili powder (or regular but i like the smokey flavor)
1 tbs ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 ounces tomato paste
1 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup worcestershire sauce
1 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup soy sauce
8 ounces hoisin sauce

heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. add onion and garlic and saute until tender. add spices and saute one minute. add remaining ingredients and simmer for 15-30 minutes. let cool completely. store in airtight container. will keep in fridge for 2-3 weeks and freezes very well.