I live on a very windy island in the middle of the North Sea. It’s often overcast and the temperature, although it doesn’t get particularly cold in the winter, it doesn’t get particularly warm in the summer either. When the mercury starts creeping over 15 degrees Celsius layers start getting peeled off and we all start complaining about the heat.
On those very occasional summer days where the wind dies down, the clouds clear, the sun comes out and the temperature hits 16 or so (and the midges don’t swarm when you go outside) we like our BBQs. Family BBQs are something we’ve learned we can not plan in advance. I can spend all morning preparing a selection of delectable BBQ dishes only to find, when my husband comes home from work in the afternoon, that the rain clouds have returned and the heavens open up.
BBQs in our household are spontaneous, and I don’t keep shop bought BBQ sauce in the house as we rarely use it. When the weather conditions for a BBQ are met it’s all systems go – go – go! BBQ sauce is needed stat!
This summer we’ve been eating outdoors much more than usual, and this is due to the addition of the Tefal Optigrill we were given by the fine folk at Tefal back in April. Over the last few months I’ve developed this five minute BBQ sauce recipe for those days where the sun shines and the wind dies down long enough for us to eat outside. Grilled meats brushed with this sauce served with a quick couscous salad, fresh fruit and iced lemon water have become a firm family favourite: an entire al fresco meal made in less than 20 minutes.
This recipe makes just enough sauce to baste a packet of sausages, or one packet of chicken thigh fillets, chicken breasts, or four to five burgers; enough to feed our family of five. It can easily be doubled if you need more sauce.
Five Minute BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp chilli powder or more, to taste
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
- 1/2 tsp smoked mild paprika
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic granules
- 1/2 tsp onion granules
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients together in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Brush on chicken, sausages or burgers before grilling or barbecuing.
I am linking this recipe up with Family Foodies co-hosted by Louisa over at Eat Your Veg and Vanesther over at Bangers & Mash. This month their blogging challenge is all about Al Fresco eating – BBQ and summer picnic ideas.
I’m also linking up with Javelin Warrior’s Made with Luv Monday’s and Tasty Tuesdays over at Honest Mummy (who I did see at Britmums Live in London last weekend but was too afraid to walk up and introduce myself!)
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Paul Wilson says
This will come in handy for the summer.
Paul Wilson says
I’ll have to give this a go.
Sarah Tyau says
This looks very do-able and delicious!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Sarah 🙂 It’s a nice simple recipe that can be easily adapted if you want it a little spicier. As it is now it’s pretty family-friendly 🙂
Paul Wilson says
Terrific idea.
glenn hutton says
Thanks for posting this BBQ sauce recipe, and a quick one to boot…
I didn’t realise that sauces had so many ingredients. ;0)
Helen B says
I might be much further south but even here bbq’s tend to be a last minute affair, as every time we plan the weather turns bad even in the middle of a hot spell. Sod’s law I think they call it! Anyway, love BBQ sauce but with a family of 3 most recipes make too much so this is great. Also love the suggestion above of adding English mustard and cumin. I feel a BBQ coming on!
Camilla @FabFood4All says
What a fabulous and quick marinade for the BBQ, I’ll bet is adds a really tasty zing to meat:-)
Lou, Eat Your Veg says
Great line up of ingredients you’ve got there Elizabeth!. I bet you’ve had a good deal more barbie action though this year than normal? It’s certainly been a very pleasant summer so far down in these Southern parts. Thanks so much for linking up to Family Foodies ‘Al Fresco’ event.
Honey says
Great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing. I have found this very useful. 🙂
Honest Mum says
Oh wow how delicious, just had dinner but I’m hungry again! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Heather Haigh says
This sounds like something my lot would love – will definitely give this a go soon.
Elizabeth says
Let me know how you get on! 🙂
easyhomecooking says
Lovely recipe. Very similar to one that I use except mine has a tiny smidge of English mustard and 1/2 tsp Cumin in addition.
Elizabeth says
Ooh I bet that would be fantastic too!
Javelin Warrior says
Homemade barbecue sauces are awesome because you can tweak and customize them to match your tastes. And a quick go-to version like this is wonderful for those impromptu moments. This couldn’t be easier and just in time for summer!
Elizabeth says
I agree! I’ve tried a few variations of this already (adding cumin, lime juice, etc) but this is the basic sauce to be tweaked 🙂
Johanna GGG says
this sounds brilliant – I see so many bbq sauce recipes that seem too large a quantity for us but I have this on my to do list to try – actually thought i might do it tonight but things got a bit complicated as always when pandering to a young child’s tastes (ie I wanted something different but stuck with a same old recipe she would like and needed to get dinner on the table quickly) Wishing you lots of BBQ weather over summer
Elizabeth says
Thanks Johanna 🙂 I deliberately kept this recipe as a single batch sauce. There’s not much extra for basting either as I usually use it my Optigrill these days, so there is no time for basting. I know what you mean about fussy eaters too – mine seem to be getting pickier for some reason!
glenn hutton says
Love a god BBQ sauce, will give this s go!
Elizabeth says
Let me know what you think if you do! 🙂
Laura says
Mmmm, I think I’ll be trying this for slow cooker pulled pork =)
Elizabeth says
ooOoh! Great idea! Let me know how you get on! 🙂
Holly Nelson says
I have all those ingredients right now!! How long does it stay good for in the fridge?
Elizabeth says
I honestly don’t know! The longest I have left it is 24 hours. I usually just whip it up as I need it. Surely it would last awhile though…
Tracy Nixon says
Thanks for sharing! BBQ sauce is my all time favourite but I always buy it in a jar or as a packet mix – I might have a go at making my own!
Elizabeth says
My pleasure Tracy 🙂 I used to always buy it in bottles too until I realised how easy it is to make at home!