Make-ahead Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce will steal the show at your next BBQ
There's a first time for everything, like adding soda to your barbecue sauce. This simple Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce recipe is unlike any other.
Summer barbecues are on once school's out — especially if you live in the southern part of the U.S. Having a go-to barbecue sauce recipe in your back pocket is one way to impress your guests and make hosting an impromptu summer celebration easier.
You may know what type of barbecue sauce you prefer (sweet, savory, or somewhere in between), but what many people don't realize is that there are four distinctly different categories of barbecue sauce in America, according to the Eat-Q quiz from the James Beard Foundation. These set-in-stone BBQ sauce categories include Vinegar and Pepper, Mustard, Light Tomato, and Heavy Tomato.
The finger-licking barbecue sauce recipe we're about to share with you falls somewhere between Pepper and Tomato. Since our barbecue sauce contains an unconventional ingredient — Dr. Pepper — we suspect it may fall into a category all its own. For now, we're calling it Light Tomato. In tomato-based barbecue states like Texas and Kansas, Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce may be even more popular. In any state, we think guests will enjoy a sweet barbecue sauce made with the classic 23-flavor blend.
How to make Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce: Ingredients
12 oz. Dr. Pepper
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
How to make Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce: Tutorial
Choose your meat, fire up your grill, and put together your ingredients.
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Make sure you have all your ingredients. You may have most items in your pantry or refrigerator.
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Start measuring — Dr. Pepper and ketchup first.
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Put all ingredients in a large saucepan.
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Whisk well so that all ingredients are combined.
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Cook on medium-high heat until mixture starts to bubble. Then lower to simmer and cook for 5 minutes until sugar is dissolved.
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Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until barbecue time — or enjoy your creation as it cools.
For the more seasoned chefs (see what we did there?), you can add less brown sugar to taste. This barbecue sauce recipe is admittedly sweet. It tastes just like the soft drink. Serve it over brisket, burgers, ribs, and other grilled meat.
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