It's Cookout Season

Cue the Barbecue!

By Julie Senger

Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but its a start. -Anthony Bourdain

Summertime seems to be synonymous with preparing food outdoors for family and friends. In fact, in addition to being Independence Day, July 4 is also Barbecue Day. And while grilling, barbecuing, or slowly cooking your food in your favorite smoker makes it taste delicious, these methods also keep you from heating up the inside of your house. With a bonus benefit like a lower power bill because your air conditioner doesnt have to work so hard, theres no time like the present to begin planning your next cookout menu. Choosing which type of meat or vegan protein option to add to your grocery list is certainly an important decision, but the true star of the show is the barbecue sauce, and there are more choices now than ever. So, which sauce should you cast in your next barbecue thriller?

The Four Main Types of Barbecue Sauce

Tomato Based (the most popular!)

Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis, and Texas each lay claim to some version of a tomato-based barbecue sauce. Optional ingredients that many add to the following basic recipe include hot sauce, garlic, mustard powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, dry onion soup mix, molasses, and honey.

Recipe (serves 1)
1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Mustard Based

South Carolina is the state that is associated with this well-loved alternative. Optional ingredients include other types of mustard (grainy, Dijon, etc.), hot sauce, celery seeds, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, oregano, cayenne pepper, thyme, tomato paste, chili powder, soy sauce, and liquid smoke.

Recipe (serves 1)
1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/8 cup honey
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Mayonnaise Based

Alabama is the birthplace of this sauce, otherwise known as white barbecue sauce. Optional ingredients that many add to the following basic recipe include Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, horseradish, garlic, paprika, and mustard.

Recipe (serves 1)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
1.5 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Vinegar Based

This version hails from North Carolina and has a much thinner consistency. Some optional ingredients include cayenne pepper, honey, oil/butter, lemon juice, and paprika.

Recipe (serves 1)
1 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon brown sugar

After preparing your chosen version of barbecue sauce, how you use it will be based on your cooking method. 

According to TheSpruceEats.com, Probably the biggest problem novices run into when it comes to barbecue sauce is confusing barbecue with grilling. Applying barbecue sauce during grilling will cause it to burn, whereas during barbecue it wont.

So, whats the difference? Actual barbecue is a low-temperature cooking technique that takes several hours. Grilling is a high-temperature, relatively quick form of cooking that causes barbecue sauces to char, creating a dry, crusty, black layer on the outside of your food. Therefore, when grilling, your sauce should either be brushed on just before you take your item off the grill, or it should be added to your food like a condiment once it
is on your plate.

Sources TheSpruceEats.com and AllRecipes.com