Many people use the word barbecue to describe any cooking outdoors over a fire. But there is a lot of room for interpretation!

The best BBQ sauces have a balance between acidic and smokey flavors. Adding a pinch of ground cumin powder is one way to bring out the smoky flavor. Contact Tom’s BBQ now!

A staple in BBQ sauce arsenals everywhere, the original barbecue sauce provides a balanced contrast of tangy-sweet flavors. Most versions are tomato-based and contain a variety of ingredients like vinegar, sugar or molasses, onion powder, salt, spices (such as black pepper and mustard), and liquid smoke to create distinct flavor profiles. Different regions have allegiances to their preferred styles and recipes, but it is a safe bet that they will include some variation on these four main elements.

Our Original BBQ Sauce has a rich, sweet, and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with all your favorite smoked meats. Brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling or broiling to ensure a crispy, browned crust. It also adds bold flavor to chicken, burgers, baked beans, and just about anything else you can think of.

Water, Tomato Paste, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Molasses, Worcestershire Sauce (Water, Salt, Vinegar, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Paprika, Dehydrated Onion and Garlic, Spices, Natural Flavor), Brown Sugar, Contains Less than 0.5% of: Food Starch-Modified, Dextrose, Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum (Thickeners), Natural Flavor including Hickory Smoke.

Chipotle

The creamy, zesty flavor of this Chipotle sauce makes it the perfect topping for tacos, burrito bowls and fajitas. It also adds an amazing smoky taste to grilled meats, vegetables and chili. The key to this sauce is the chipotle peppers in adobo. They are basically jalapenos that have been smoked and dried and then packed in a really tasty adobo sauce puree made from tomatoes, vinegar, more dried peppers and other spices. The peppers add a spicy, smoky heat that is so unique and delicious.

In this recipe, the chipotle peppers are added to a mix of mayonnaise (or you can use vegan mayonnaise), sour cream and Greek yogurt, which makes it super easy to whip up. A bit of lime juice and some fresh cilantro are also mixed in. It is so simple that you can have it ready to go in a matter of minutes, and you probably already have all the ingredients on hand.

This chipotle sauce will stay good in the fridge for up to a week. It will thicken as it sits, so if you want a thinner consistency to use as a dressing or drizzle over your salad or bowls, then you will need to add a little water when you make it again. This chipotle sauce is perfect for drizzling over fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and grilled chicken or steak. It is also great as a dip for chips or roasted veggies.

You can also try this sauce on sandwiches, burgers and wraps, or even with grilled potatoes. It is so versatile, and a huge step up from store-bought chipotle sauces that are full of preservatives and other chemicals that you don’t need. Making your own homemade version is quick and easy, and you can even adjust the level of spiciness to your own liking! This sauce will definitely become a staple in your kitchen.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a pantry staple that can take on countless flavors and applications. It can be made from a variety of carbohydrate sources including wine, cider, fruit juices and distilled grain alcohols. The word vinegar comes from the French words “vin” (wine) and aigre (“sour”) because of its acidic taste. The sour liquid is used to add flavor to foods and also acts as a food preservative when diluted with water. It is most often used in salad dressings, pickles and marinades as well as for cleaning and medical purposes.

This sauce has all the flavor and heat of a traditional Carolina style BBQ sauce with roasted Hatch Chili Peppers. It is a perfect compliment to pulled pork and grilled chicken. Try it drizzled on slaw or as a dip for wings.

Eastern North Carolina is renowned for its vinegar-based barbecue sauces. Unlike tomato-based sauces, these thin condiments temper the sweetness of whole hog and other pork barbecue with the sharpness of vinegar. The result is a well-balanced combination that enhances the flavor of smoked proteins and helps tenderize them as a bonus. These simple recipes typically include some combination of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses or white sugar and spices such as cayenne or red pepper flakes.

These thin sauces can be used to baste meats and other vegetables on a grill, in the oven or in the smoker. They can also be stirred into a bowl of barbeque to serve as a dipping sauce or to coat pork ribs or other cut meats prior to smoking.

There are many different types of vinegar available at the grocery store, ranging from white distilled vinegar to balsamic and rice vinegar. Some are hand made while others are produced in large quantities by the vat. A typical retail variety includes cider vinegar, white and red wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar, rice vinegar, malt vinegar and a wide range of flavored and seasoned vinegars.

When preparing to use vinegar in cooking, it is important to keep in mind that the acetic acid can cause burns to skin and eyes if not handled properly. To avoid this, the liquid should be diluted with water before use.

Hot Sauce

Hot sauce is a condiment with a punch that can add spice to anything. Usually, this type of sauce includes ingredients like vinegar and peppers in different ratios. However, it can be used with other spices and flavorings to create a unique taste. The key is to know how much heat each individual person can handle and to use it sparingly. A few drops can make a dish pop with an exciting kick, but too much can overwhelm the palate and even be dangerous.

While most types of hot sauce can be loosely categorized by ingredients, many people enjoy creating their own versions based on particular preferences. These recipes vary widely in terms of preparation and ingredients, but they all contain the same basic elements. Peppers, acid, and spices are the main components of most sauces, but you can also find versions that contain other flavorings or herbs for a more complex flavor profile.

Some hot sauces are meant to pack a fiery punch, while others offer brightness with only a subtle spice. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and some sauces have ingredients that are truly surprising for a condiment. For example, a black garlic sauce may contain cocoa powder and molasses to create a deep and rich flavor. Others may be crafted with sweet fruity additions to provide a tantalizing balance of savory and spicy.

If you would like to preserve your own homemade hot sauce for longer storage, you can freeze it or can it in a waterbath canner. If you choose to can your hot sauce, please be sure to use a recipe that has been tested and approved for safe canning by your local health department.

When making a homemade hot sauce, you should always start with fresh ingredients for the best flavor. You can use a variety of different peppers to vary the level of spice, and you can add sweeter vegetables for a balance of flavors. For example, using carrots can help to offset the harshness of the vinegar and the sharpness of the peppers. Another way to create sweetness is to add sugar at the beginning of the cooking process.