BBQ Sauce Homemade vs Store Bought

We have so many sauces in the food world, but a grilling party is incomplete without BBQ sauce. It is the most important ingredient for a perfect taste of the meat. Whether it is homemade or store-bought, I always prefer homemade over store, but if you are a busy person or a student, then you can go with a store-bought version. Let me help you to understand the difference between homemade BBQ sauce and store-bought.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Making a homemade BBQ sauce is not rocket science; you only need to follow a perfect recipe. You need some ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, spices, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. You can adjust the taste of your sauce as per your choice; it can be more tangy or less sweet. Let me tell you about the pros and cons of homemade BBQ sauce.

Pros:

It has so many benefits like :

Things are totally in your control. You can use any ingredient of your choice and adjust the timings as well.
It can be beneficial for your pocket as well because store-bought BBQ sauces are so costly.
You can avail health benefits by avoiding any preservative or any other added sugar and salt.
It’s fully your choice whether you are going to use common ingredients or you can add other things like garlic, etc.
You can give a twisted flavor as well by adding maple syrup, honey, coffee, bourbon or beer.

Cons:

If you want to enjoy the homemade version of BBQ sauce, then you have to spend more time in the kitchen. For better taste it must cook for a little longer period.
Shelf life is so short for a homemade BBQ sauce.
You can freeze it in the ice cube tray, but they won’t taste the same.
Each time, you will get a different taste and texture; it depends on the measurements and the freshness of your ingredients.

Store-Bought BBQ Sauce

If you are a working person or a student, then it is always a convenient option to buy BBQ sauce from any store. But it is so different from homemade sauce because of ingredients and preservatives. It’s a time-saving idea, and if you like the taste of it, then you can use this for your grilling sessions.

Pros:

Some positive points of store-bought BBQ sauce are:

It’s a time saver; go and buy it from the store. No messy kitchen at all.
It has a longer shelf life than homemade sauce; keep it in a cool and dry place. After opening the can, put it in the fridge.
Every time, it comes in the same taste because they prepare it with the same recipe.

Cons:

Nutritional value is not measured; it has so many artificial flavors.
Store-bought BBQ Sauce has more added sugar, a high amount of salt, and other preservatives.
It can be dangerous for your health if you consume it in high amounts.
Making your sauce at home is a fun activity, but you will miss it if you buy it from the store.
Of course, it will be expensive to get store-bought BBQ sauce.

How to Make BBQ Sauce with Ketchup?

You can make the sauce with simple ingredients, which are usually available in the kitchen. I’m going to share with you an easy recipe for BBQ sauce. Even if you smoked beef, chicken, fish, or any meat, you must once try this recipe, it will become your favorite.

Ingredients:

Ketchup 1 cup
Brown sugar 2 tablespoon
Apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon
Smoked paprika 2 teaspoon
Garlic powder ½ teaspoon
Onion powder ¼ teaspoon
Mustard sauce 1 teaspoon

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan
Cover the lid (to avoid any mess)
Now simmer it for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat
Your homemade BBQ sauce is ready

Conclusion

Your taste, budget, time, and health matter whenever you choose BBQ sauce between homemade and store-bought. Is homemade sauce better or store-bought? This debate is endless. So it’s very necessary to choose it as per your requirements. The homemade sauce gives you more creativity options and a fresh taste, and store-bought is easy to use and a time-saving idea. You must give it a try to both then you can decide which is better for you.