Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce

  • 1

Ingredients

  • 2tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable
  • 6cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1slightly heaping tablespoon chili powder
  • 1tablespoon paprika
  • 1teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/4teaspoon ground allspice
  • Pinch ground cloves
  • 2cups ketchup
  • 2cups water
  • 1/2cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4cup dark molasses
  • 1/4cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2teaspoons English-style dried mustard
  • 1teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1bay leaf

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, red pepper, allspice, and cloves and cook, stirring, until paste is dark brick red, about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, water, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, black pepper, and bay leaf. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the flavors come together, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf before using.