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Barbacoa Sauce Recipe
Ben Carraoli

Barbacoa Sauce Recipe

I have to say, the moment I tried making barbacoa sauce at home, it felt like a revelation in my kitchen. The tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors with the rich, smoky essence of Mexican chilies completely elevated my go-to dishes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Calories: 40
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon mixed dried hot peppers chipotle, ancho, mulato, guajillo, árbol
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum optional for thickening

Method
 

  1. Start by rehydrating the dried hot peppers in hot water for about 5 minutes. Once softened, chop them into smaller pieces and set them aside. These chilies will add the signature smoky and slightly spicy touch to the sauce.
  2. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add water, tomato paste, cider vinegar, cane sugar, molasses, and tamari. Whisk the ingredients until the sugar dissolves and everything is evenly combined. Simmer the mixture gently for a minute or two to develop the base flavors.
  3. Stir in the chopped peppers, ground mustard, granulated garlic, onion powder, and salt. Continue to whisk the mixture so the spices evenly distribute throughout the sauce. Simmer the sauce on low heat for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
  4. Pour the simmered mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a chunky texture, skip this step and leave the sauce as is. Optional tip: for extra thickness, add xanthan gum while blending!
  5. Once blended to your liking, transfer the sauce to a glass jar or bowl. Allow it to cool slightly before using. The sauce is now ready to drizzle, dip, or toss into your favorite dishes.