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Barbecue Sauce with Ginger, Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

2¾ to 3¼ hours

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes 3 cups)

Barbecue Sauce with Ginger, Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium onion, minced1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with juice¾ cup distilled white vinegar ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon table salt 2 teaspoons ground black pepper ¼ cup orange juice from 1 medium orange1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 6 tablespoons soy sauce 6 tablespoons white wine vinegar 3 tablespoons sugar 1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until hot and shimmering (but not smoking). Add onion; sauté until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining ingredients through orange juice. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to lowest possible setting and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  2. Puree sauce, in batches if necessary, in blender or workbowl of food processor. Let cool to room temperature and add remaining ingredients. Transfer to bowl or cover in airtight container. (Can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.)
Barbecue Sauce with Ginger, Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil

Barbecue Sauce with Ginger, Soy Sauce, and Sesame Oil

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

2¾ to 3¼ hours

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes 3 cups)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
(28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with juice
¾ cup distilled white vinegar
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
¼ cup orange juice from 1 medium orange
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
6 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
(28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with juice
¾ cup distilled white vinegar
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
¼ cup orange juice from 1 medium orange
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
6 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
(28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with juice
¾ cup distilled white vinegar
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
¼ cup orange juice from 1 medium orange
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
6 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Why This Recipe Works

A variation on our Basic Barbecue Sauce, this recipe starts out with typical ingredients, such as tomato, vinegar, molasses, and onion. Ginger and white wine vinegar give the sauce an acidic kick, soy sauce and sesame oil bring savory nuttiness, and extra sugar balances out these intense flavors. Adding these ingredients only after the sauce cools ensures that their flavors come through strongly without being dulled by heat.

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until hot and shimmering (but not smoking). Add onion; sauté until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining ingredients through orange juice. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to lowest possible setting and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  2. Puree sauce, in batches if necessary, in blender or workbowl of food processor. Let cool to room temperature and add remaining ingredients. Transfer to bowl or cover in airtight container. (Can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.)

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