Root Beer BBQ Sauce Recipe
Root Beer BBQ Sauce Recipe is a sweet, tangy barbecue sauce with smoky flavor and a gentle kick of spice. I like how root beer adds a rich sweetness that works so well with ketchup, molasses, and orange juice.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heatproof spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup 240 ml root beer
- 1 cup 240 g ketchup
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons 25 g packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon 20 g molasses
- 1 teaspoon 3 g garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon 2 g onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon 0.5 g ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon 5 ml liquid smoke
- Salt to taste
- 2½ teaspoons 4.5 g ground ginger
- ¼ cup 60 ml orange juice, fresh or bottled
- ½ teaspoon 0.9 g crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon 15 g yellow mustard
Instructions
Step 1
- Add the root beer, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, molasses, and orange juice to a medium saucepan. Whisk well.
Step 2
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, yellow mustard, liquid smoke, and salt. Heat over medium, stirring until the brown sugar dissolves. Once the sauce bubbles, reduce the heat to low.
Step 3
- Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens to your liking. Remove from heat and let cool. Adjust the salt or spice, then transfer to a clean, airtight jar and refrigerate.