How to Thicken BBQ Sauce

Several Ways to Thicken BBQ Sauce

Ah! The smell of pork, beef, and ​chicken meat in a grilling machine. That drizzling sound you hear when you turn the meat over. Those mouthwatering, delicious, tasty, savory pieces of meat on a stick you can’t get enough of! Any barbecue smoke that hits your nostril will surely make your tummy rumble. And the taste?

Heavenly! But surely you can add more!

While some people prefer thin, liquid barbecue sauce, many want to add texture and find ways to thicken BBQ Sauce. Mostly because thick barbecue sauce can add a powerful kick of flavor and make you enjoy your barbecue festival more. Also, when you coat the meat with a thick barbecue sauce, it will stick and spread evenly on the meat, unlike thin sauces that usually drop and evaporates easily.

Anyway, I know you are excited about the techniques, so here they are!

Thicken BBQ Sauce by Removing Excess Water

This first method is the simplest and easiest one on how to thicken BBQ Sauce. There are no other ingredients needed for this method since removing extra ingredients will do the job properly.

What you will need
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating Pan
Instructions
  1. Set the pan over medium heat.
  2. Pour barbecue sauce in the pan.
  3. Stir until boiling.
  4. Set pan on low heat.
  5. Stir sauce consistently until desired thickness is obtained.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Flour

Most people usually underrate flour. Little do they know, flour has so many uses they do not even know. And that includes adding some thickness to your BBQ sauce. Also, if you want your BBQ sauce’s flavor to remain, flour is all you need.

What you will need

  • ¼ cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons of flour
  • 1 cup of your barbecue sauce
  • Mixing bowl
  • Heating pan

Instructions

  1. In the mixing bowl, put the 2 tablespoons of flour.
  2. Pour the ¼ cup of water into the mixing bowl and mix thoroughly until there are no more lumps.
  3. In the heating pan, put the 1 cup of your barbecue sauce.
  4. Set over medium heat.
  5. Mix the water and flour mixture with your barbecue sauce.
  6. Continuously stir the mixture.
  7. Once the mixture is boiling, put it on low heat.
  8. Stir the mixture again for two more minutes.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Cornstarch

Like flour, cornstarch can be used to make your barbecue sauce thicker. Overall, the process is almost the same. However, the ingredients only differ. Cornstarch is also used for the only purpose of thickening the sauce but not adding flavors to it.

What you will need

  • 1 tablespoon of cold water ( If you do not use cold water, it will result in lumps when mixed with cornstarch)
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
  • 1 cup of your barbecue sauce
  • Mixing bowl
  • Heating pan

Instructions

  1. In the mixing bowl, put the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of water to the mixing bowl and mix thoroughly until there are no more lumps.
  3. In the heating pan, put the 1 cup of your barbecue sauce.
  4. Set over medium heat.
  5. Mix the water and flour mixture with your barbecue sauce.
  6. Continuously stir the mixture.
  7. Once the mixture is boiling, put it on low heat.
  8. Stir the mixture again for four more minutes.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Butter

Butter is an ingredient that can add thickness to your barbecue sauce and a little flavor and texture. You will taste a distinct creaminess due to its fat and water balance.

What you will need

  • Organic Butter (Avoid using Margarine.)
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating Pan

Instructions

  1. In the heating pan, melt butter.
  2. Once the butter is melted, add the barbecue sauce.
  3. Set to medium heat and stir the mixture.
  4. Once the mixture is boiling, set it to low heat.
  5. Continuously stir the mixture until you obtain desired thickness and consistency.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Sugar

It is known that if you want to add thickness to your barbecue sauce, you can always add sugar. Also, it adds thickness and adds just the right amount of sweetness to your barbecue sauce.

What you will need

  • Brown Sugar
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating Pan

Instructions

  1. Set pan on low heat.
  2. Pour the barbecue sauce into the pan.
  3. Sprinkle brown sugar on the barbecue sauce until you obtain desired taste and sweetness
  4. Consistently stir the mixture until it becomes thick.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Heavy Creams

Another ingredient that can add flavor to your barbecue sauce is heavy creams. There are several sources of heavy creams, such as goat or cow’s milk. Heavy creams will add a rich taste and desired thickness and consistency to your barbecue sauce.

What you will need

  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating Pan
  • Heavy Cream

Instructions

  1. In the heating pan, pour the barbecue sauce.
  2. Set over medium heat and stir barbecue sauce.
  3. Once barbecue sauce boils, set to low heat.
  4. Add heavy cream until you obtain desired consistency and thickness.
  5. Set over medium heat again and stir the mixture consistently.
  6. Once the mixture boils, set to low heat.
  7. Stir the mixture for another minute and simmer.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Vegetable Fibers

Using vegetables to thicken your barbecue sauce seems a little odd, but it would add some great health benefits to your body. The best way to use vegetables to thicken barbecue sauce is by making the vegetables puree. If mashed or pounded properly, these vegetables will not only thicken your barbecue sauce but will also give your body a nutritional kick.

What you will need

  • Eggplants
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating pan
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Knife
  • Bowl

Instructions

  1. Steam vegetables for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Allow vegetables to cool.
  3. Slice vegetables into pieces.
  4. Put sliced vegetables in a blender or a food processor.
  5. Set aside the pureed vegetables in a bowl.
  6. Set the pan over medium heat.
  7. Pour the barbecue sauce into the heating pan.
  8. Stir and add the pureed vegetables.
  9. Simmer and stir consistently until you obtained your desired consistency or thickness.
  10. In case your barbecue sauce is too thick, add a bit of water while consistently stirring.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Dried Apricots

Dried Apricots can thicken your barbecue sauce. Not only that, but it also adds a fruity taste and texture to your barbecue sauce. It also provides some health benefits for your heart, blood, and skin.

What you will need

  • ​​​​​​Dried Apricots
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Chopping board
  • Knife
  • 2 Heating Pan

Instructions

  1. Chop the dried apricots finely.
  2. Set the pan over medium heat.
  3. Put chopped apricots in the pan and cook until soft.
  4. Set the other pan over medium heat and pour the barbecue sauce.
  5. Mix apricot and barbecue sauce.
  6. Simmer and stir the mixture consistently.

Thicken BBQ Sauce Using Ketchup and Tomato Paste

Ketchup and Tomato Paste work like flour or cornstarch and adds thickness to your barbecue sauce. If a sweet barbecue sauce is not your taste, then this one is for you. However, you can still create a sweet tomato barbecue sauce by adding a bit of sugar.

What you will need

  • Tomato Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Heating Pan

Instructions

  1. Set pan to medium heat.
  2. Pour the barbecue sauce into the pan.
  3. Once it boils, add tomato paste and ketchup.
  4. Stir mixture consistently until desired thickness is obtained.

Final Thoughts

Barbecue has always been a delectable food for most people. Adding barbecue sauce, especially thick sauces, will boost its flavor and taste and make you enjoy these grilled slabs of meat.

Of all the eight ways how to thicken BBQ Sauce, which one is your favorite? Or maybe you have another recipe on how to thicken BBQ Sauce you might want to share with us.

We would love to hear about it!