Spicy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
This spicy barbecue sauce recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and is finger-licking good! Slather it onto chicken, pork chops, ribs, or even shrimp and salmon, and you can’t go wrong.
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Did You Know?
Barbecue sauce is believed to have originated as early as 1698(!), when Dominican missionary Père Labat observed French West Indies chefs applying lime juice and hot peppers to barbecued meat.
My late father always made this spicy barbecue sauce recipe when I was growing up. Although he was never much of a cook (his bacon and eggs was an exception), he did know how to work the outdoor grill, and this sauce became a staple of summer weekend suppers.
Hmmm, since I mentioned bacon and eggs, you may want to try this fluffy bacon and egg fried rice.
Anyway, my dad frequently applied his concoction to chicken, pork chops, ribs, and shish kebabs. I never took an intentional note of how he made this sauce, so I tried to remember the ingredients when I chose to include it on this blog.
Between my memory and my mother’s, we determined it was hoisin sauce, vegetable or olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and Tobasco sauce.
I replaced the Tobasco with red pepper flakes and added a dash of Worcestershire because that seemed like something my dad would have done. Mom agreed. 🙂
I only had to make this barbecue sauce once, and my mom and I thought it tasted just like we remembered it. It really is delicious and doesn’t need a ton of ingredients to make it so.
Thanks, Dad, for this recipe and the memories that come with it!
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
- Better than store-bought: Store bought is easy, but making barbecue sauce from scratch is almost as simple, and it doesn’t contain the added sugars and preservatives often found in commercial brands.
- No-fuss, pantry-friendly ingredients: You don’t need to chop, blend, or marinate—just whisk and simmer. And most of the ingredients are likely already in your kitchen.
- Versatile: This sauce works well on grilled meats, tofu, roasted veggies, or as a dipping sauce.
Key Ingredients
- Hoisin Sauce: An irresistible base for barbecue sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Another must in this sauce for its deep, rich flavor.
See the recipe card below for more information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make This Spicy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
- Whisk ingredients: In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until smooth.
- Simmer sauce: Pour the mixture into a small saucepan. Cover partially and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lower heat if it bubbles too much.
- Cool & store: Remove from heat and let cool completely. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
Pro Tips
- Let it sit for maximum flavor:The sauce tastes great right away, but it’s even better after a few hours or overnight in the fridge. This gives the flavors time to meld and deepen.
Variations & Substitutions
-Use tobasco sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper in place of the red pepper flakes.
-Add 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika or a drop or two of liquid smoke for a deeper, woodsy flavor.
-Replace the garlic powder with freshly minced or grated garlic. Use a small amount so it doesn’t make the sauce bitter.
Recipe FAQs
That’s common with sugary sauces like hoisin. Just lower the heat and partially cover the pot to prevent splatter while still allowing steam to escape.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze the barbecue sauce for up to 3 months.
Reheat: If pulling from the freezer, defrost in the refrigerator first. Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Sauce Recipes
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Spicy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil (Note 1)
- ½ lemon squeezed
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes pinch
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce to a small bowl and whisk together thoroughly.
- Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and cover partly with a lid. Turn the heat to medium-low, bring it to a gentle simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. You may have to reduce the heat to low at some point to keep it from bubbling too much.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the barbecue sauce to cool fully before using it, or store it in the refrigerator to chill. Slather onto chicken, ribs, or anything you want!