Simple Barbecue Sauce
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons ketchup (HFCS-free, please)
1 ½ cups tomato puree (I used jarred “strained tomatoes”)
¾ cup chicken stock
¼ cup molasses
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. celery salt
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dried mustard
2 tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. allspice
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 7 minutes. Add the apple cider vinegar and ketchup and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add the tomato puree to the pan and stir in the chicken stock, molasses, honey, and spices. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 30-40 minutes, until thick and reduced to about 2 1/2 cups. If desired, puree the sauce to make it completely smooth (I didn’t bother). Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.