There’s nothing better than making your own BBQ sauce, and this is the best one! It’s simple to make and tastes great with a lot of different kinds of meat.
Its grilling season and Im making a ton of new BBQ and smoker recipes. When you have a good BBQ, you need the best BBQ sauce. This one is great for spring and summer. And, its an easy BBQ sauce to make!.
The combination of the sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors put this recipe ahead of the BBQ game. Its super quick to make and contains simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. And it tastes great on these grilled chicken wings, with a slow-smoked pork loin, or on top of this smoked pork tenderloin.
As a bbq sauce enthusiast, I’m always looking for new ways to make my sauces extra flavorful. Recently, I discovered that using pork drippings can add incredible depth and savoriness!
Pork drippings are the delicious pan drippings left over after cooking pork roasts, chops, or other cuts of pork. They’re imbued with tons of rich, meaty flavor from the pork, making them an ideal ingredient for enhancing sauces and gravies.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to make your own bbq sauce using pork drippings It’s surprisingly easy and affordable to make at home The end result is a sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and undeniably porky – perfect for slathering on ribs, chops, chicken, and more!
Benefits of Making Your Own BBQ Sauce from Pork Drippings
Before we get started, let’s go over some of the benefits of homemade bbq sauce from pork drippings:
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Deep, savory pork flavor – Pork drippings lend a rich, meaty taste that you just can’t replicate with vegetable oil or other fats It gives the sauce a wonderful umami quality
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Thick, clingy texture – The pork fats in the drippings help create a nice viscous texture that heavily coats food and sticks to your fingers.
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Money saving – Making your own sauce at home costs just a fraction of what you’d pay for bbq sauce at the store.
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Customizable – You can tweak this recipe to your preferences by playing with the amounts of spices, sweeteners, acidity, etc.
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No preservatives/additives – Homemade sauce contains wholesome, natural ingredients only with no chemical stabilizers.
Ready to learn how it’s done? Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make bbq sauce with pork drippings:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1⁄4 cup pork drippings
- 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1⁄2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For best results, I recommend using high-quality, flavorful ingredients. My ketchup of choice is Heinz – you want one with a good tomatoey tang.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for making drool-worthy bbq sauce with pork drippings at home.
Step 1: Cook the pork and collect the drippings
You can use drippings from any type of roasted or pan-fried pork – chops, roasts, tenderloins etc. Just make sure to save all the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
If you don’t have pre-existing drippings, here’s a quick way to get some:
- Pat dry 3 thick-cut, bone-in pork chops
- Season all over with salt and pepper
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium high heat
- Cook chops for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through
- Transfer chops to a plate and cover to keep warm
- Reserve skillet with drippings for the next step
Step 2: Sauté aromatics
- Add 1 small diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the drippings in the skillet
- Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant
- Sprinkle over 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and a pinch of cayenne
- Continue cooking for 1 minute
This blooms the spices and infuses the pork drippings with tons of flavor.
Step 3: Simmer the sauce
- To the skillet, add ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and the remaining spices
- Whisk together and allow to come to a simmer
- Let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy
The sauce will reduce down to a rich, clingy texture.
Step 4: Finish and adjust seasoning
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp cold butter until melted and combined
- Taste sauce and add more vinegar, sugar, or salt if desired
- For extra smoky flavor, you can stir in 1 tbsp liquid smoke (optional)
The butter gives a silky finish. Add any final tweaks to taste.
Step 5: Use immediately or store
Your homemade bbq sauce is ready! You can use it right away to sauce those pork chops, or store for later.
Let cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. Sauce will keep for up 1-2 weeks refrigerated or up to 3 months frozen. Reheat gently before serving.
Now you have a deliciously pork-flavored bbq sauce to liven up all your grilling, smoking, and bbq dishes. It’s finger-licking good!
Recipe Variations
Once you master the basic recipe, there are all kinds of ways to customize your pork drippings bbq sauce:
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Spicy: Stir in 1 diced jalapeño, 1 tsp cayenne, or a few dashes of hot sauce
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Tangy: Add more vinegar or a squirt of lemon juice
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Smoky: Use smoked paprika instead of regular, or add liquid smoke
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Fruity: Stir in blended pineapple, mango, or peach for a tropical vibe
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Caramelized: Sauté the onions until deeply browned before making the sauce
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Beer-based: Substitute 1⁄2 cup beer for 1⁄2 cup of the ketchup
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Whiskey: Splash in 2-3 tbsp bourbon or whiskey
Endless possibilities! I encourage you to get creative with ingredients to put your own signature twist on this sauce.
Serving Suggestions
A homemade bbq sauce this delicious deserves to shine on more than just burgers and ribs. Here are some of my favorite ways to use pork drippings bbq sauce:
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Brush on chicken wings, legs, or thighs before grilling or roasting
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Toss with baked or fried potato wedges
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Drizzle over smoked pork shoulder or shredded pork sandwiches
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Use as a dip for grilled shrimp, chicken tenders, or veggie skewers
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Mix into ground beef or turkey for juicy, saucy meatloaf or meatballs
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Simmer chopped veggies like carrots, broccoli, or green beans in the sauce
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Stir into baked beans along with some pulled pork
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Use as a glaze for salmon fillets or chicken breasts
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Brush onto naan, flatbreads, or pita then grill or broil
With a sauce this versatile, the possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run wild!
FAQs About Making BBQ Sauce with Pork Drippings
If you’re new to cooking with pork drippings, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How much drippings do I need?
The recipe calls for 1⁄4 cup but you can use anywhere from 2-6 tbsp depending on how strong you want the pork flavor to come through.
Do I have to use drippings? Can I substitute oil?
While you can use vegetable oil, the flavor won’t be nearly as pork-centric or rich. Drippings are really the star of the show here.
What if my drippings have a lot of black charred bits?
Those blackened pork bits = porky flavor! It’s perfectly fine if your drippings aren’t pristine.
Can I use drippings from any type of pork?
Yes! Ham, bacon, pork chops, pork roast – it all works beautifully.
Do I have to make the sauce right after cooking pork?
Nope, you can save leftover drippings in the fridge for 3-4 days before making the sauce.
How long does the bbq sauce keep?
About 1-2 weeks in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Can I can the sauce for long term storage?
Absolutely! Canning is a great way to preserve homemade bbq sauce for months. Follow proper canning instructions.
I hope these tips help you feel confident making your own bbq sauce from pork drippings. Trust me, it’s easier than you think – and so worth it for the finger-licking flavor!
Now get to drippin’ and saucin’. Enjoy!
Step By Step Recipe Instructions
It’s never been so easy to make BBQ sauce! First, put all the ingredients in a large saucepan and mix them together. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well.
Next, heat the foods in the saucepan over medium-high heat until they start to boil quickly. Once the sauce starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Wait about 20 minutes for the honey barbecue sauce to cool down, then put it in a jar with a lid. Store in the refrigerator to chill.
And yall. There you have it! This is the best BBQ sauce! And who would have thought it would be so easy to make your own?!
Unbelievably SIMPLE!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is made with some amazingly tasty ingredients. I use ketchup as the base and add in apple cider vinegar so that it can work its way into the meat. It also helps cut the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar. Dried parsley is a great dried herb to use when making sauces.
I also incorporate some of my favorite seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, and minced onion. I use fresh garlic to add to the zesty flavor. If you want to know my secret for making this homemade barbecue sauce, I add a little strong brewed coffee. A good French roast or Italian roast works really well.
