Western South Carolina Tomato-Based Barbecue Sauce

A clear squeeze bottle of red ketchup sits on a wooden surface, with a yellow mustard bottle in the background and a red-and-white checkered cloth nearby.

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Western South Carolina Tomato-Based Barbecue Sauce

A smoky and sweet barbecue sauce that you can put on just about anything!

Prep Time10

Cook Time3 30

Total Time3 40

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Barbecue, Southern

Servings: quarts

Author: Nicole

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions chopped
1 (40 ounce) bottle of ketchup I use Simply Heinz
2 ½ cups (20 ounces) water to rinse the inside of the ketchup bottle
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups white distilled vinegar
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup unsulphured molasses
¼ cup yellow mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2-4 tablespoons of natural smoke drippings or liquid smoke to taste

Instructions

In a large stock pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the ketchup; rinse the bottle with the water and add to the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, sugars, molasses, mustard, lemon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 3-3 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Using a handheld immersion blender, food processor, or blender, purée the sauce in batches. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl and strain the sauce, pressing on the solids with the back of a ladle. Add the smoke flavorings to taste. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to six months. Sauce can also be canned in a pressure cooker to store for up to one year.Enjoy!

Notes

Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to six months. Sauce can also be canned in a pressure cooker to store for up to one year.

Nutrition