Name: Kansas City BBQ Sauce
Yield: Serves 4 to 6 (Makes about 4 cups)
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 1 onion, minced; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup root beer; 1 cup cider vinegar; 1 cup dark corn syrup; 1/2 cup molasses; 1/2 cup tomato paste; 1/2 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons brown mustard; 1 tablespoon hot sauce; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

Why This Recipe Works

Our Kansas City BBQ Sauce recipe combines the usual sauce ingredients—ketchup, vinegar, molasses, hot sauce, mustard—with two unexpected ingredients: dark corn syrup and root beer, which give our barbecue sauce the sticky, sweet, and smoky characteristics. But beware: We found that our Kansas City BBQ Sauce recipe burns very quickly and should not be used over direct heat when grilling.

Before You Begin

We like our barbecue sauce extra-thick. If you like a thinner, smoother texture, the sauce can be strained after it has finished cooking.

Instructions

Heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining ingredients, except for liquid smoke, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture is thick and has reduced to 4 cups, about 1 hour. Stir in liquid smoke, if using. (Sauce can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 1 week.)