As its name suggests, this sauce is easy to assemble. Just combine everything in a sauce pan and let it simmer away. Although I developed it for pork ribs, this sweet and tangy sauce would also be delicious on grilled chicken. If you can't find maple sugar, use brown sugar as a subsitute. But there is no substitute for the smoked Spanish paprika - it's essential.
Super Simple Barbecue Sauce
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup maple sugar (See headnote.)
- 1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly. Let cool before using.
STORAGE: If not using the sauce right away, store it in a covered container in the refigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 6 months.
