Memphis-Style Barbecue Sauce

By Addie

"Memphis style" used to mean vinegar and pepper, and then tomato and brown sugar found their way into the mix. This sauce has a more bitter bite than the Kansas City version. Try them side by side on barbecued chicken and see which you prefer.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 3 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup steak sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground celery seed
• Kosher salt
• 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from keyingredient.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is golden, 6 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the ketchup, 1 cup water, the vinegar, mustard, celery seed and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the onion is tender, about 15 minutes.

Stir in the liquid smoke. Strain the sauce, pressing on the solids to extract any liquid.