Name: Basic Barbecue Sauce
Yield: Makes 2 1/2 to 3 cups
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 medium-size onion, minced; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and minced; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup tomato sauce; 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, or more to taste; 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (optional); 1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce, or more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke, or 2 tablespoons meat drippings; 2 tablespoons molasses; 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, or more to taste; 2 tablespoons prepared mustard of your choice; 1 teaspoon dry mustard; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Salt

Image may contain Food Dessert and Caramel

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from The Barbecue! Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, by Steven Raichlen. To read more about Raichlen and barbecue, go to our feature The Best Barbecue in the U.S.A.

A good barbecue sauce is a study in contrasts: sweet versus sour, fruity versus smoky, spicy versus mellow. Here's a great all-purpose sauce that's loaded with flavor but not too sweet. It goes well with all manner of poultry, pork, or beef. The minced vegetables give you a coarse-textured sauce, which I happen to like. If you prefer a smooth sauce, puree it in a blender.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Our Best Barbecue Recipes
Pull out the white bread and toss the slaw—these smoky, sweet, tangy recipes for pork, beef, chicken, and shrimp barbecue are ready for your next backyard cookout.

Speedy Chicken Stroganoff

This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.

The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.

Classic French Vinaigrette

Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

29 Ricotta Recipes for Dinner, Dessert, and More

Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

23 Easy Pie Recipes for Low-Effort, High-Reward Desserts

There’s a reason they say, “easy as pie,” you know?

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Recipe notes

Our Best Barbecue Recipes