Cheesy Barbecue Dip Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make BBQ sauce taste homemade? ›

To accomplish this, simply use a BBQ basting brush to apply the sauce toward the end of the cook (aim to have it on for about 10 minutes). Don't be afraid to add a few extra coats of sauce as the clock winds down if you like a really sticky outer layer.

Spices and seasonings: A variety of spices and seasonings are added to BBQ sauce to enhance its flavor. Common spices include paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and mustard powder. These ingredients contribute to the distinct taste and aroma of the sauce.

The advantage of vinegar in sauces is that it has an additional tenderizing effect that helps make barbecue pull apart perfect. The gentle acid of vinegar tenderizes the meat during the process making it as tender as possible as well as adding that tangy flavor that is the cornerstone of Carolina barbecue.

Or any other spicy condiment, really: swirl in some sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. Play with the smoky notes found in a can of adobo sauce, or the citrus flavors in Cuban mojo. Another source of smoky flavor: smoked paprika. Or try hot paprika, if that's more your thing, or chile powder or ground cayenne pepper.

Combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender. Season with mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Blend until smooth.

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

Use Smoky Spices/Seasonings

There's a world of spices and seasonings that can add or bring out the smokiness of foods. Some of the most common include smoke paprika and chipotle seasoning, which you can find in powder, whole, or canned. Bacon salt and smoked salts can also flavor things up.

Skip the store-bought stuff! Homemade barbecue sauce is delicious, incredibly versatile, and oh-so easy to make with pantry staples. Trust us — you're going to want to bookmark this top-rated recipe for classic barbecue sauce.

Seasonings: Garlic, onion, ginger, lemongrass, rosemary, and cumin seed, among others, provide endless flavor variations in otherwise simple marinades. Chopped garlic and fresh, whole leaf herbs may scorch over high heat, so brush them off the food before grilling.

What makes barbecue taste good? ›

A: The science behind BBQ is the combination of heat, smoke, and the Maillard reaction. Heat helps to break down the proteins and fats in the meat, while smoke adds flavor and aroma. The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that creates the delicious flavor and aroma of BBQ.