You can easily make wonderful barbecue sauces at home by starting with something you already have in your pantry. Ketchup makes a simple and versatile base for a variety of tangy, sweet, or spicy sauces. To begin, start with your basic sauce:
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoons celery seed
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
To the base, add 1/2 cup chopped onion and one teaspoon chopped garlic, both sautéed in one tablespoon butter. Stir in one tablespoon soy sauce and one teaspoon paprika.
