Sweet, Tangy & Spicy BBQ Sauce

I LOVE BBQ SAUCE!!!  I love it on burger, chicken, pork, just about everything.  I problem with the stuff you buy in the stores is all the sugar and preservatives in it.  This recipe is a great backbone for the addition of other spices that you may like in your BBQ sauce.  The key ingredient and the source of heat and slight smokey flavor in this sauce comes from the Chipotle in Adobo Sauce.  You can purchase Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce in a can in the Mexican section of the grocery. This is some hot stuff!  It smells wonderful, very smokey but just don't forget, I repeat, it is HOT!  I only used the sauce that the chipotle peppers were in.  If you want more heat, add more sauce or use a little of the chipotle peppers chopped up finely.  I would recommend using gloves for this.  Store the remainder of the peppers and sauce in the fridge for a later use. If you don't like yours vinegary, add less vinegar.  Want more garlic? Add more. I used crushed tomatoes instead of the traditional ketchup to control the sugar.  I didn't have any liquid smoke, but that would be a great addition if you like that smokey taste.  When researching the best type of liquid smoke, I came across Wright's Brand Natural Liquid Smoke.  I will be ordering some of this soon! This makes enough for 2 pints.  


As in all recipes, taste as you cook.  This is a great way to get the hang of creating your own recipes to see how each ingredient affects the overall taste as well as how cooking time and method changes the flavor.  I was eating this by the spoonfuls by the end so I knew I had it just right for me! ;-)


Sweet, Tangy & Spicy BBQ Sauce


28 oz can of tomato sauce (or tomato puree )
6 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or balsalmic vinegar) 
1/8-1/4 tsp stevia (or to taste)
2-3 tablespoons crushed/chopped garlic
1 tbsp onion powder
2-3 tbsp adobo sauce (or more to increase heat)
2 tbsp Creole mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp liquid smoke (optional)

1. Add all ingredients in pot.  
2. Simmer on low for 30-60 minutes.  
3. Carefully pour into jars (or old bbq sauce bottle)

Makes 2 pints.  Store in refrigerator.


Nutrition:  2 tablespoons, less than 3 carbs
Traditional Sweet BBQ Sauce, 15-20 carbs