Is this your first time making bbq sauce but it’s too runny..
..are you wondering how to thicken BBQ sauce?
Don’t worry, you can always learn..
Here is what you need to know..
If your BBQ sauce is a touch too runny but you don’t want to compromise the flavor…
… try one of these eleven fantastic thickening suggestions to thicken BBQ sauce.
There’s no need to go shopping..
…because they all employ ordinary ingredients you already have in your kitchen…
You’ll almost certainly have one on hand!…
Do you know what a runny sauce is?..
…Broth, that is why you need to thicken bbq sauce.
Something so thin that it’s left in the bowl…
…rather than being served on a plate and necessitates the use of a spoon.
..Soup-like Sauce, on the other hand..
..travels with your food from plate to mouth…
…hitting the taste senses with greater force or subtle nuances.
Sauce has been used to add taste and moisture to dishes since prehistoric times…
The term “barbecue sauce” initially arose in the United States in the late 1800s…
…It evolved from a vinegar-butter-seasoning mix..
…to the tomato-based classic we all know and enjoy throughout the decades…
In 1846, Louis Maull launched a range of food seasonings…
..that included a bottled tomato-based barbecue sauce.
..They no longer sell anything else..
However, whether handmade or store-bought…
…there are times when the sauce isn’t thick enough to fulfill the needs of a griller.
What is the procedure for thickening barbeque sauce? ..
As we’ll see, the cure can be simple or complex…
…Continue reading to learn how to thicken BBQ sauce using kitchen products.
There are certain to be a few strategies that anyone can try..
…all without having to spend any money!
Cling to me, The sauce’s ability to cling to food…
…This is crucial because, if you’ve spent the time and effort to make a delicious sauce..
…you’ll want to eat it with your grilled meat rather than leaving it on the plate.
Things that are minor..
… All of those little bits of herbs and peppers are protected from sinking…
…to the bottom of the container and possibly never making it to the dish.
…If they do pool in the lowest area of the sauce on your plate…
… you’ll need to catch them with bread or your fingers.
Because it’s just not cool to upend a platter to suck down wonderful sauce….
Reduction is the simplest method…
This straightforward method of thickening a sauce relies on evaporation..
..or the use of heat to “dry” a liquid.
The flavor is enhanced and the liquid thickens or gets heavier…
Reducing a sauce is another example of low and slow cooking..
it can take up to 30 minutes to get the correct thickness..
Here’s how you go about it
Remove the entire contents of the pan..
he process is slowed by anything other than liquid…
Use a shallow pan..
…since the surface area of the pan affects the amount of time it takes to reduce.
To get through a huge amount of liquid use multiple pans…
Preheat the pan over medium-low heat…
Allow it to breathe exposing it to air will hasten evaporation…
Although other seasonings and fats can be added during the process for taste…
…this is the simplest technique to thicken a sauce.
However adding a fat like butter or other components..
..negates the basic goal of reduction…
…which is to thicken or make a sauce without adding fat or calories.
Other thickening methods include adding one or more components to the sauce…
…which alters the texture and density.
Starches, gums, fats, and purees are the types of thickening agents used in sauces…
First, Let’s hear Anna Story
This is my first time holding a BBQ party..
I was so confident with my cooking skill…
Everything went well at first…
But then I realized that the BBQ sauce is not thick enough…
I don’t know what doing that time…
..then my best friend Shara told me to don’t be panic..
..because I can easily fix my BBQ sauce.
She then went to my kitchen and come back with cornstarch…
Voila, like a magic it thickens my almost fail BBQ sauce..
Now, Let’s take a look at each of it
Starch Your Sauce Without Making It Starchy
Starch is a complex carbohydrate..
…typically found in cereals and is made up of sugar molecules.
Their purpose is to provide energy to our body…
Because starches are white, powdered, and essentially flavorless…
…they’re great for thickening sauces.
When molecules are added to a liquid they expand and absorb the liquid…
…As a result, the liquid’s texture is altered.
The appearance, how it responds to fluids…
…and how it will hold are all determined by the source of the first arch.
In water, especially hot water, it dissolves quickly….
…It doesn’t turn into a gel or a paste.
Produces a sauce that is dense and unappealing….
..In hot water, it doesn’t dissolve as well as amylos.
Will set into a gel or paste…
Produces a sauce that is both clear and glossy..
If it doesn’t appeal to you, consider a root or tuber starch..
Their flavor isn’t as strong, and they have a clear, sparkling appearance.
The mouthfeel is better, silkier, than grain starches…
Grain starches have an opaque and matte appearance..
..due to their high fat and protein content.
She also mentions that this may give your sauce a cereal flavor.
Here is the list..
Wheat
- Contains 1 - 25 pound bag
- Quality wheat with 13-14% protein content
- Excellent whole grain wheat for use in your home milling machine
- Certified organic and kosher approved. Cholesterol is zero
- Grown and harvested in the USA
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Is the most often utilized type of starch…
This would probably always be white flour not whole grain…
..which would give it a nutty flavor but a gritty texture.
Flour comprises the grain’s protein, oil, and starch…
..resulting in a rich thick sauce that can turn sticky if used too much
It dissolves in both hot and cold water…
Cornstarch
- CLABBER GIRL CORN STARCH Use as a thickener in sauces gravies soups and stews
- RESEALABLE Our resealable canister keeps it fresh
- PLANT BASED Our corn starch is vegan
- Gluten free
- Kos
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Is what’s left after the protein and fiber in maize have been removed..
..dried, and powdered.
It absorbs fluids before expanding and gelatinizing…
In a gluten-free kitchen it’s a must-have…
It’s mainly used for desserts rather than sauces since it gives a glossy finish…
Corn starch is the way to go if you want your ribs to literally shine…
..It’s lighter than flour and has double the thickening capacity..
Acidic foods (such tomatoes or citrus) reduce its efficiency..
…if frozen and then thawed its texture becomes spongy..
..and if over-stirre it thins down..
To keep it from gumming up dissolve it in cold water..
Rice Starch
- 5 lb. bag
- When flavor and texture of the rice is crucial in cooking, Nishiki is the brand people look to.
- This along with consistent quality has made Nishiki the most popular rice brand today. Sushi experts agree that Nishiki is their number one choice.
- If you have leftover rice, put it away by saran wrapping it and refrigerating until it is time to eat again. When reheating, adding some water to the rice will fluff it
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Raw white rice is used for the production of this product.,,
Besides gluten-free and digestive..
…it’s also said to be a staple.
The texture is similar to wheat flour rather than cornstarch…
You can use this to thicken bbq sauce..
Arrowroot
- One Ingredient / Pantry staple and essential; Food grade and Non-GMO; Versitile; Substitute for cornstarch or wheat; Premium, high quality stand-up pouch with resealable zipper for maximum shelf life; No junk, no fillers, no additives - Nothing Else!
- Gluten Free & Grain Free / Use as a natural food thickener from tuber (fleshy, nutritious root of plant); Contains no gluten or grain; Great for sweet or savory dishes; Make biscuits, sauces, or jellies; Colorless and flavorless; Paleo, Vegan, Celiac, Keto-friendly
- Real Arrowroot / Produced from Maranta Arundinaceae (aka Arrowroot) and not Cassava like many others. Nutrient rich arrowroot may promote a lower calorie intake; balanced digestive and colon functioning; enhance immune system; aid in sleep patterns. Good for little ones, too!
- Natural Beauty / Use in place of talc powder or chemical-free dry shampoo, additive for deoderants, useful for homemade make-up; May help skin heal or aid with blemishes, dark spots, acne scars, or rashes
- Satisfaction Guaranteed / If you are not completely satisfied for any reason, please contact us and well make it right; All of our Its Just! products are packaged in the USA (California) at our GMP Certified facility. Each batch is tested by a 3rd party lab so you can rest assured youre getting the best quality product, everyti
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Next powder you can use to thicken bbq sauce is arrowroot..
It’s derived from a West Indian plant that’s been utilized for medical purposes…
…It’s a frequent gluten-free cooking essential…
The flavor is neutral..
..therefore it won’t add anything to your sauce’s flavor profile…
It can withstand acidic foods and freezes well…
It does not handle high temperatures or reheat well.
When combined with dairy it produces a slimy texture…
Although arrowroot is more expensive than flour or cornstarch as a thickening..
..it is still reasonably inexpensive in the grand scheme of things.
Never add starch directly to the pan regardless of the source…
In a small bowl pour a tablespoon or so of cooled stock or broth…
To get a smooth paste add the starch and stir to combine…
Add the paste to the stock or broth…
Allow to boil, stirring periodically….
Combining carbohydrates and a fat is another option…
We’ll talk about it later..
Food Gums to thicken Your Sauce
Gums are polysaccharides that can be found in seaweed or terrestrial plants….
Gums add texture and stability to sauces without affecting their flavor or appearance..
…making them ideal for Asian or gluten-free kitchens.
Gums also help to reduce or eliminate the use of fats and oils…
The way they hold spices and liquid together contributes to the flavoring of a sauce…
Guar gum, xanthan gum, and pectin are the most common gums used in sauce…
Coconut Oil and Cream
- NATURALLY EXTRACTED and NUTRIENT DENSE: Nutiva’s all-natural cold press extraction process yields a pure, light-tasting, nutrient-rich oil containing 63% medium chain triglycerides and 50% lauric acid without the use of dangerous and harmful chemicals, hexane, or heat.
- PREMIUM DIET COMPATIBILITY: Nutiva Virgin Coconut Oil is an ideal addition to vegetarian, vegan, raw, whole food, paleo, ketogenic, and gluten-free diets.
- HEALTH AND BEAUTY: Nutiva Virgin Coconut Oil has natural moisturizing and deep conditioning properties, making it an invaluable part of every body care regimen.
- COMMITMENT TO QUALITY: Nutiva partners with organic farmers to source the world’s finest fresh, organic virgin coconuts and stringently adheres to USDA certified organic and non-GMO guidelines to deliver superfood that is good for you and good for the planet.
- EASY TO USE PACKAGING: Nutiva Virgin Coconut Oil is packaged in safe, convenient, BPA-free packagi
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The last one thing you can use to thicken bbq sauce is coconut oil..
These have been used in Asia for centuries for cooking and body care…
…but their benefits are only now reaching the Western world (thankfully).
The nut’s fat is the oil use it on its own or in a roux or beurre manié…
Coconut oil contains less saturated fat than butter…
..and is high in the good cholesterol HDL.
…making it an excellent method to add richness to your food without adding bad fat.
The pureed fruit is the cream it doesn’t need to be cooked…
…so add it as your sauce comes to a close.
Improves the mouth’s feel, a genuine word denoting the texture of a product; in the instance of barbecue sauce, smoothness. It also describes the flavor of the sauce as a result of its chemical properties or flavor combinations – tangy, smokey, fruity.
The Kitchn, Foodfirefriend.com
To Sum It Up
Barbecue sauce is the grilling equivalent of cake frosting…
..It’s supposed to compliment and enhance rather than hide flaws.
Thickening your sauce assures that everything you grill will be flavorful…
Some of the items listed above…
…could benefit from not only to thicken BBQ sauce..
.. but also some additional real-life experiences.
Will you help in the search for a thicker barbecue sauce? …
…Can you add a nut butter or a coconut roux to a thin barbecue sauce recipe?
Keep in mind traditional food pairings…
…such as apples with bacon or berries and steak while you experiment.
We’re aiming for a flavor enhancement..
..not a taste competition with your grilled meal.
Conclusion
With a little imagination you can thicken bbq sauce…
…your barbecue sauce will never be confused for tomato soup again.
Any sauce will shine and cling and tickle taste buds like a nice and thick sauce…
So get cooking!
You can always contact me if you have other questions!
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
