Make your own barbecue sauce

Barbecue sauce is one of the most versatile sauces out there — it can be served as a dipping sauce or a topping, brushed onto protein and vegetables during cooking, or stirred into beans and shredded meat after cooking.

Further contributing to its versatility is the fact that there are so many styles found throughout the United States, from sweet and tomatoey to thin and vinegary, to thick and creamy.

Servings: 4-6 (Makes 2 cups)

Start to finish: 30 minutes This sauce can be used on just about anything. For a thinner, smoother texture, strain the sauce after it has finished cooking. Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped fine Salt and pepper

1 garlic clove, minced 1 teaspoon chili powder

1 1/4 cups ketchup 6 tablespoons molasses 3 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire

sauce

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Directions

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and pinch salt and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and chili powder and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Whisk in ketchup, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, and mustard. Bring sauce to simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to about 2 cups, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)