Equipment
Ingredients
Base Liquids and Sugars
- 170 g tomato paste
- 240 ml water
- 120 ml apple cider vinegar
- 120 g light corn syrup
- 50 g dark brown sugar, packed
- 15 ml worcestershire sauce
Spices and Seasonings
- 5 g smoked paprika
- 5 g garlic powder
- 5 g onion powder
- 5 g fine sea salt
- 2 g black pepper, freshly ground
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the tomato paste, water, apple cider vinegar, light corn syrup, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, fine sea salt, and black pepper until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps of tomato paste remain.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, which is approximately 95C or 203F. Stir frequently to prevent the sugars from scorching on the bottom of the pan.
Reduce the heat to low. Simmer the sauce gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will darken in color and reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors and creating a glaze-like consistency.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the sauce to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to an airtight glass jar or squeeze bottle for storage.
Chef's Notes
- Using light corn syrup alongside dark brown sugar gives the sauce a beautiful, glossy sheen that clings perfectly to grilled meats and caramelizes beautifully under high heat without instantly burning.
- For a spicy kick, add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce during the initial whisking phase.
- This sauce develops substantially deeper and more complex flavors if made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator before using.
- To make this recipe strictly vegetarian or vegan, substitute the standard Worcestershire sauce with a certified vegan Worcestershire sauce or tamari.
Storage
Refrigerator: 4 weeks — Store in an airtight glass jar or squeeze bottle.
Freezer: 6 months — Freeze in an airtight container leaving room for expansion.
Reheating: Microwave in 15-second intervals or warm gently in a saucepan over low heat until it reaches room temperature or warm.
