BBQ Sauce Recipe by Michael Symon That’s Smoky and Bold

Michael Symon’s BBQ sauce electrifies ordinary meals with its vibrant culinary magic.

Bursting with bold flavors, this signature condiment captures summer’s grilling spirit effortlessly.

Professional chefs and weekend warriors alike marvel at its meticulously crafted taste profile.

Sweet, tangy, and smoky notes intertwine, creating a symphony of flavor that dances across your taste buds.

Each drop transforms grilled meats and vegetables into restaurant-quality masterpieces.

From backyard cookouts to intimate family dinners, this sauce elevates every dish with its remarkable depth.

Unleash a world of deliciousness that will have everyone asking for your secret weapon.

How to Serve Michael Symon’s BBQ Sauce

• Drizzle Over Grilled Meats: Brush this tangy BBQ sauce generously on sizzling chicken, ribs, or pulled pork for a mouthwatering flavor explosion.
• Create Dipping Delight: Serve the sauce alongside crispy chicken tenders, onion rings, or french fries as a zesty companion for weekend snacking.
• Elevate Sandwich Game: Spread a layer of this homemade sauce on burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, or grilled cheese to add an irresistible smoky kick.
• Marinate Magic: Use the sauce as a marinade for meats before grilling, allowing the flavors to penetrate and tenderize for an extra delicious meal.

Keeping Michael Symon’s BBQ Sauce Fresh

• Preserve Your BBQ Sauce Perfection
• Refrigerate Wisely: Transfer cooled sauce to an airtight glass container, ensuring maximum freshness for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, allowing convenient portioning for spontaneous barbecue cravings.
• Meal Prep Magic: Make a larger batch and divide into smaller portions, saving time and guaranteeing delicious sauce for multiple meals throughout the week.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Gently warm refrigerated sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore its original smooth consistency and vibrant flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 100 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients in Michael Symon’s BBQ Sauce

• Ketchup: Choose a rich, tangy brand with deep tomato flavor for a robust foundation.
• Brown Sugar: Opt for dark brown sugar to add deep caramel notes and rich sweetness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Select organic, unfiltered vinegar for a bright, sharp tang.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Pick a high-quality sauce for complex umami depth.
• Yellow Mustard: Look for smooth, zesty mustard to add a subtle kick.
• Garlic Powder: Select fresh, fragrant powder for intense aromatic punch.

• Smoked Paprika: Choose a premium, well-aged paprika for smoky undertones.
• Black Pepper: Grab freshly ground pepper for maximum flavor intensity.

BBQ Tools for Michael Symon’s Sauce

• Medium saucepan: Perfect for mixing and heating your BBQ sauce smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending ingredients and creating a silky-smooth sauce texture.
• Measuring cups: Helps you accurately measure each ingredient for consistent flavor.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and preventing sauce from sticking to the pan.
• Heat-resistant spatula: Helps scrape down sauce sides and ensures no flavor is left behind.
• Storage jar with lid: Ideal for cooling and keeping your homemade BBQ sauce fresh.

Cooking Steps for Michael Symon’s BBQ Sauce

Craft Your Signature BBQ Sauce

Dive into a flavor explosion by creating a mouthwatering BBQ sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance. This easy recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a lip-smacking condiment that’ll elevate any grilled dish.

• Blend the Magic

Grab a saucepan and toss in all your sauce ingredients. Whisk with passion, ensuring every component mingles perfectly. The goal is a smooth, harmonious mixture that promises incredible flavor.

• Heat and Transform

Crank up the stove to medium heat. Keep whisking as the sauce begins to bubble and come alive. Watch carefully as the ingredients merge into a rich, glossy concoction that starts to thicken and develop deep, complex flavors.

• Simmer to Perfection

Lower the heat and let your sauce gently simmer. This is where the magic happens – the flavors intensify and the sauce becomes gloriously thick. Give it an occasional stir, enjoying the tantalizing aroma that fills your kitchen. After about 10 minutes, you’ll have a sauce that’s bursting with smoky, sweet, and tangy goodness.

• Cool and Savor

Take the pan off the heat and let your masterpiece cool slightly. Your homemade BBQ sauce is now ready to drizzle, dip, or slather onto anything that needs a flavor boost. Store in a jar and prepare to impress everyone at your next cookout.

Flavoring Tips for BBQ Sauce

Experiment with heat levels by adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a spicy kick. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste preferences.

Replace ketchup with tomato paste for a deeper, richer flavor profile. Try adding a splash of bourbon or dark rum for an unexpected depth that elevates the entire sauce.

This BBQ sauce stores perfectly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Batch cooking allows you to have homemade sauce ready whenever you need a quick flavor boost.

Create a low-sugar version by substituting brown sugar with honey or using a sugar-free alternative. Gluten-free friends can easily adapt the recipe by checking Worcestershire sauce labels for potential gluten content.

Smoky Michael Symon BBQ Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Michael Symon’s BBQ Sauce delivers bold Cleveland-style flavor with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Homemade ingredients combine to create a classic sauce perfect for grilling, basting, and dipping you’ll love.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) ketchup
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce, or coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
• 1 tsp (5 g) Stone House Seasoning
• ¼ tsp (1 g) hot sauce, optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, whisking vigorously to create a uniform blend without lumps.
2. Heating: Position the saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent ingredient separation and potential burning.
3. Boiling and Simmering: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately lower heat to generate a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
4. Reduction: Maintain a low simmer for 10-12 minutes, periodically stirring to ensure even consistency and prevent potential scorching, watching as the sauce transforms from liquid to a rich, glossy texture.
5. Cooling and Storage: Remove from heat and allow sauce to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then transfer to a clean, sealed container for refrigeration, where it will remain fresh and flavorful for up to one week.

Notes

• Whisk Thoroughly: Blend ingredients completely to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, uniform sauce texture.
• Monitor Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-low temperature to prevent burning and achieve perfect sauce consistency.
• Check Reduction Progress: Watch sauce thicken and darken, stirring occasionally to develop rich, concentrated flavors.
• Storage Strategy: Cool sauce completely before refrigerating in an airtight container to maximize freshness for up to one week.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg