Yes, it’s officially barbecue season, my favorite time of year. In my book, nothing quite beats a perfectly grilled or ‘cued steak, chicken or any kind of meat or seafood, especially when it is slathered with barbecue sauce. Over the years I’ve received several emails from our subscribers wanting to know what barbecue sauces they can buy that are gluten-free. A lot of the commercial barbecue sauces out there are gluten-free – you just have to read the labels and if something looks questionable call the company to make sure. But my most common answer to these requests is to just make your own sauce. It’s far better, in my humble opinion, and it is not difficult to make. Plus if you make your own sauce you can add your own special touch with more or less heat, more or less sweetness….well you get the point, I’m sure.
My husband always loves to make his own sauce. He likes to raid the refrigerator and put everything but the kitchen sink in the sauce. Take a look at “Bopper’s BBQ Sauce” listed below and you will get the point. That’s what makes barbecue sauces so fun. A little bit of this and a little bit of that and you have your very own unique creation. Below you will find some of our favorite BBQ sauces that we’ve developed over the years…and yes, my husband’s is included below (it actually is VERY good but includes a LONG list of ingredients – if you don’t have some of the stuff like key lime juice don’t worry, substitute it with something you do have like lime juice). They key is to have fun and be creative – you’ll be amazed with how good the results are!
Bopper’s BBQ Sauce
 Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons scallions, chopped
- 1/2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups gf ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 5 Tablespoons freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 5 Tablespoons Port wine
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon key lime juice
- 3 teaspoons gf hot sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon five spice powder
Directions:
In a small skillet, melt butter. Sauté scallions and garlic until fragrant and scallions are tender.
In a large saucepan combine remaining ingredients. Add scallion mixture. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.
BBQ Sauce (#1)
 Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup gf brown sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons onion salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup gf ketsup
- 1/8 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon gf mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons butter
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except butter in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Blend in butter.
Blackberry BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1/2 cup gf ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger, minced
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Dash of gf hot sauce (or more to taste)
Directions:
Place the blackberries, gf ketchup, honey, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and hot sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes or until berries are broken down and mixture is reduced by half. Keep warm over low heat.
BBQ Mustard Sauce
Ingredients:
- 6 Tablespoons gf brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons gf yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 4 cups gf ketchup
- Coarse salt and pepper
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except ketchup in a large saucepan and simmer over medium-heat for 5 minutes. Stir in ketchup and bring to a boil, stirring well. Salt and pepper to taste.
Be creative & enjoy!
- Chef Jessica
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