Homemade BBQ sauce

I don't really know why we started to make our own BBQ sauce. Chances are that we didn't have any on hand and hubby was grilling and needed some. I ended up combining several recipes that I found online into a sauce that has become my family's favorite. I was never thrilled with the taste of any store bought BBQ sauces.

It is not necessarily cheaper to make your own sauce, but it isn't hard to do. I'm pleased that we are avoiding all the stuff I can't pronounce and high fructose corn syrup. It is easily adapted to your own family's taste so change it up however you want.

BBQ Sauce:

12 oz. tomato paste

1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 c. vinegar
1/2 c. molasses
1/4 c. water
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. liquid smoke

Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat to simmer until thick. I usually simmer it about an hour or so. It keeps really well in the fridge for several weeks. I've never had it go bad actually, but please use common sense here.

I keep it in my pint sized canning jars. The recipe makes a little more than will fit in two jars depending on how long you decide to simmer it. (I would guess about 5 - 5 1/2 cups???)

Did you know that you can recycle mayo lids and use them as screw on lids for canning jars???? I can't tell you how excited I was when I made that discovery. Probably everyone else already had that trick figured out years ago.