Easy Killer Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce Recipe - A Couple Bites (2024)

February 3, 2024

Killer BBQ sauce to go with your killer cooking!

I’m not about to wade into the BBQ sauce wars because I don’t have a place there. People take their barbecue VERY seriously and while I appreciate a good barbeque sauce, I’m certainly not the expert. What I do know is that homemade BBQ sauce will stop you from buying the grocery store stuff ever again! When we go out for BBQ, this is the type of sauce that I hope the restaurant, or roadside stand, has. It’s a Kansas City style. If that’s not your thing because you’re more Carolina or Memphis, quit bitching and try it. Kansas City style rules. This is a great and simple homemade barbecue sauce.

Use this for all your BBQ need!

• f*ck ton of garlic (like 10 cloves, minced or grated)
• 1 can tomato paste
• 4 large chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (check out our recipe to make these yourself)
• 1 1/2 tbs chili powder (here is our recipe)
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Pinch of cloves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1tbs black pepper
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 molasses
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 heaping tbs dijon mustard

Mix all ingredients except for the garlic, tomato paste, and chipotle peppers, and spice blend in a large bowl. Stir to combine.Some people add liquid smoke here but I wouldn’t suggest this. It doesn’t add enough to this recipe to sacrifice the flavor of this sauce, but if a fake smoky flavor is what you are after then have at it!

Heat a few tablespoons of a neutral-tasting oil, like vegetable, in a medium saucepan or a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, and spice blend. Mix in the oil and cook until the tomato paste has turned a deep red, about three minutes. This can all also be done in a large pot. Just make sure it’s deep enough to handle the liquids.

Add in the rest of the ingredients from the mixing bowl and turn the heat to medium-low. Bring all ingredients to a low boil, and then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 25 – 30 more minutes.

Let cool, and then drink. Or, ya know, put on some already-cooked meat and argue with your friends about which style of barbecue sauce is better. Store the leftovers in an airtight container or a mason/canning jar. Slather this on all of your BBQ recipes or some pulled pork sandwiches, spare ribs, or pork shoulder.

Some of the things we used to make this!

• Our medium dutch oven

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