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Barbecue sauce mix

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword dry bbq sauce mix, pantry mix, slow cooker bbq, tomato powder recipes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 5 batches
Tomato powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika and spices in a jar for barbecue sauce on demand. Simmer 1/4 cup with water, or use it in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups tomato powder
  • ½ cup brown sugar or ½ cup allulose / powdered erythritol for sugar-free
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (omit for sugar-free; replace with additional allulose if desired)
  • 2 tablespoons citric acid or lemon powder
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 4 teaspoons onion powder
  • 4 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • ¼ cup tapioca starch (or arrowroot powder)

Directions

  • Whisk the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well blended.
  • Pour the mix into a quart mason jar or other airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place.

Notes

Sauce: in a saucepan combine ¼ cup dry BBQ mix and 1 cup water (no slurry needed). Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly; simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened (it thickens more as it cools).
Flavor variations: Sweet — add 1–2 more tablespoons brown sugar to the dry mix; Spicy — increase cayenne or add chipotle powder; Smoky — use smoked paprika only; Tangy — add extra citric acid or lemon powder.
Sugar-free: ½ cup allulose or powdered erythritol in place of the brown sugar; omit the granulated sugar or replace with more allulose.
Slow cooker (chicken, pork or meatballs): ½ cup dry mix, 2 cups water, 2–3 lb meat; stir mix and water in the cooker; LOW 6–8 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours; to thicken, remove the lid for the last 30–45 minutes or stir in 1–2 teaspoons tapioca starch mixed with cold water.
Pulled pork or chicken: ¾ cup dry mix, 3 cups water, 3–4 lb meat; LOW 8 hours; shred, return to cooker and reduce uncovered 20–30 minutes.
Uses: brush on chicken, ribs, pork or burgers; slow cooker sauce; over pulled meat; thin slightly for baked beans or casseroles.
Storage: 12 months in a sealed jar, cool and dry.

Nutrition

Serving: 83g | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 1455mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2124IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 5 batches; cups tomato powder counted as tomatoes, ½ teaspoon mustard powder counted as ground mustard seed, ¼ cup tapioca starch (the first choice counted). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.