Kansas City BBQ Sauce is a staple in BBQ cuisine, originating from Kansas City, Missouri. Known for its signature thick, sweet, and tangy flavor, this sauce is perfect for anyone who wants to elevate their grilled meats and veggies to the next level.
With its rich and complex flavors, this Kansas City sauce is best suited for anyone looking to impress their guests at a backyard BBQ or bring some excitement to their weeknight dinner routine.
This sauce is traditionally used in Kansas City-style barbecue, which is known for its slow-smoked meats and rich tomato-based sauces. The flavors of this BBQ sauce are sweet, tangy, and smoky, with a hint of spice. It pairs perfectly with beef brisket, pork ribs, and chicken.
Don’t let the long list of ingredients intimidate you – this recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the end result is sure to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned BBQ pro or a beginner looking to up your grilling game, Kansas City-style barbecue sauce is the perfect addition to any cookout or family dinner. Get ready to impress your taste buds and your guests with this delicious sauce.
What Is Kansas City BBQ Sauce?
Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce is a thick and sweet tomato-based sauce that is a staple in American barbecue cuisine. It’s known for its rich, smoky flavor and is commonly used as a glaze or dipping sauce for meats such as ribs, chicken, and beef.
The sauce typically includes ingredients such as ketchup, molasses, vinegar, brown sugar, and a blend of spices, which give it its signature taste. It’s often characterized by its thick, sticky texture and is a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts around the world.
How To Make Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Gather Your Ingredients
To make this delicious BBQ sauce, you’ll need a can of crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, molasses, smoked paprika, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and ground mustard. Make sure you have all of these ingredients on hand before you get started.
Combine the Ingredients
In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and molasses until well combined. Add the smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and ground mustard, and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Heat the Sauce
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Adjust the Consistency
If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, you can let it simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens up. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken up even more as it cools.
Store the Sauce
Once the sauce has cooled, transfer it to a jar or airtight container and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. This homemade kansas city sauce will keep for several weeks in the fridge, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it all summer long.
What To Serve With Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Kansas City barbecue sauce is a versatile and flavorful sauce that can be used with a variety of meats. Here are some of the meats that pair particularly well with this sauce.
Beef
Kansas City BBQ sauce is perfect for beef brisket, whether it’s smoked, oven-baked, or slow-cooked in the slow cooker. It also pairs well with other beef cuts like short ribs and steak.
Pork
Pork ribs and pulled pork are classic Kansas City BBQ dishes and are delicious when paired with this sauce. It also goes well with pork chops and pork tenderloin.
Chicken
Kansas City BBQ sauce adds a delicious depth of flavor to grilled or smoked chicken. It also pairs well with chicken wings and thighs.
Adjusting The Flavor of Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Kansas City BBQ Sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that’s perfect for drizzling on ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. While the recipe provided here is sure to please most palates, some people may prefer a sweeter or tangier flavor. Fortunately, it’s easy to adjust the flavor of your Kansas City BBQ sauce to suit your taste preferences.
Here are a few tips for adjusting the flavor of your Kansas City BBQ sauce.
Adjust the Sweetness
If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can increase the amount of brown sugar or molasses in the recipe. You could also substitute half the apple cider vinegar for apple juice!
On the other hand, if you find the sauce too sweet, you can decrease the amount of brown sugar or molasses, or substitute it for honey.
Adjust the Tanginess
For a tangier sauce, increase the amount of vinegar. If you prefer a milder sauce, you can decrease the amount of vinegar or substitute it for apple juice.
Adjust the Spiciness
If you like a spicier sauce, you can increase the amount of chili powder or red pepper flakes. You could also add additional spices like cayenne pepper to crank up the heat. Alternatively, if you find the sauce too spicy, you can reduce the amount of chili powder or red pepper flakes, or omit them altogether.
Adjust the Smokiness
To give your sauce a smokier flavor, add more smoked paprika.
You could also experiment with adding liquid smoke. Be careful not to add too much though, as it can quickly overpower the other flavors in the sauce.
Tips & Tricks For Making Kansas City BBQ Sauce
If you’re new to making your own BBQ sauce, don’t worry! It’s a lot easier than you might think. With just a few simple tips, you can make a delicious Kansas City BBQ Sauce that will rival any store-bought sauce.
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Kansas City BBQ Sauce.
Simmer the Sauce
While you can serve the sauce right away, it’s best to let it simmer for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld together. This also thickens the sauce, giving it a better consistency for spreading and basting.
Use a Food Processor
If you prefer a smoother sauce, use a food processor or blender to puree the sauce after it has simmered. This also helps to break down any chunks of tomato or onion, giving you a smoother texture.
Experiment with Additional Ingredients
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to give your sauce a unique flavor.
Some popular additions include Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and hot sauce. Just be sure to add these ingredients slowly and taste the sauce frequently to ensure that the flavors are balanced.
Related Recipes
- The 12 Different Types of Barbecue Sauce
- Brisket Mop Sauce Recipe
- Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce Recipe
Kansas City BBQ Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Airtight Container
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp ground mustard
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and molasses.
- Add the smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and ground mustard to the saucepan.
- Whisk all of the ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the sauce to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Kansas City BBQ Sauce FAQs
What is Kansas City BBQ Sauce?
Kansas City BBQ sauce is a thick, tomato-based sauce that is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.
What are the ingredients in Kansas City BBQ sauce?
The ingredients for Kansas City BBQ sauce include crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, molasses, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and ground mustard.
How do I make Kansas City BBQ sauce?
To make Kansas City BBQ sauce, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes until thickened.
What can I use Kansas City BBQ sauce for?
Kansas City BBQ sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used as a marinade or glaze for meats such as pork ribs, chicken, or brisket. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for fries or onion rings.
How spicy is Kansas City BBQ sauce?
Kansas City BBQ sauce has a mild to medium level of spiciness. The heat level can be adjusted to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes or chili powder.
How sweet is Kansas City BBQ sauce?
Kansas City BBQ sauce is known for its sweet taste, which comes from the combination of brown sugar and molasses.
Can I make Kansas City BBQ sauce without molasses?
Yes, you can substitute molasses with honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup to achieve a similar flavor profile.
Is Kansas City BBQ sauce gluten-free?
Most Kansas City BBQ sauces are gluten-free, but it’s important to check the labels of each ingredient to ensure they don’t contain gluten.