Barbecues are usually either all about the food or the company, two major parts contributing to the ‘good times.’ Maybe it’s hard to imagine anything being more important than the meats, and while it’s true that sauces aren’t the most important part of a BBQ, imagine if they carried the same excitement as those sizzling meats.
Sauces so good that they will keep you using the portable BBQ you got for Christmas.
Look no further, below are five sauces that deserve to be paired with your favourite barbecue dishes.
Starting with the barbecue sauce.
Barbecue Sauce
Making your own barbecue sauce will not only impress but shows your dedication to the barbecue. There are plenty of easy-to-follow recipes online. What’s great about this sauce is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make, you could likely make your own barbecue sauce within ten minutes.
Here’s one recipe below to try out.
Ingredients:
5 tbsp tomato ketchup
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp mustard
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
Method
Stir all the ingredients together and heat them in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the sauce is combined and heated through, transfer it to a prepared container (but make sure it cools down first)
Mayonnaise
Like with the barbecue sauce, homemade mayonnaise is simple to make. All you need is a jar for storing the sauce, a bowl for mixing, and some simple ingredients.
Ingredients:
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
250ml sunflower oil
2 tsp white wine vinegar
or lemon juice
Method
Start by whisking together the eggs in a bowl, then add the mustard and whisk some more. Once the mixture is combined, add half of the oil slowly for about five minutes until the mixture thickens. Then add the vinegar and whisk it in, which will slightly thin out the mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining oil until the mayonnaise reaches a thick, smooth consistency.
Season the mayonnaise with salt and a squeeze of lemon, then transfer your homemade mayo into a jar.
Refrigerate the mayo until you are ready to serve.
Guacamole
Ingredients:
1 large ripe tomato
3 ripe avocados
1 large lime
Handful of coriander
1 small red onion
1 chilli
To serve – tortilla chips.
Method
Slice your avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a medium or large mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado to your desired consistency. Deseed the chilli, then finely chop it along with the other vegetables. Add the chopped ingredients to the avocado along with lime juice and a pinch of salt. Mix everything thoroughly.
And don’t forget to serve with tortilla chips.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is creamy and sweet with a tang. It’s the perfect dipping sauce for all your savoury treats and is so easy to make.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Method
Mix all the ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust by adding a bit more honey or mustard if desired, then taste again. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate; it will keep for up to two weeks.
Salsa
Salsa is for everyone – for those who love spice and those who like their dishes on the mild side.
Ingredients:
4-6 medium tomatoes
½ red onion
1 small garlic clove
A small splash of white wine vinegar
½ lime (juiced)
½ bunch of coriander
Method
Simply chop all the vegetables and combine them in a bowl. Add the white wine vinegar and lime juice, then stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re heading to or hosting a barbecue, why not try making one of these delicious homemade sauce recipes?
You won’t be disappointed – as long as you like homemade barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, honey mustard, salsa and guacamole.
Each recipe is simple and flavourful – perfect for every season and can be easily tailored for specific dietary requirements.
And make sure to invest in BBQ covers waterproof enough to protect your grill from unexpected rain showers and keep it in great condition.
This way, your grill is always ready to go for your next BBQ gathering.