6 Easy BBQ Sauces, Rubs and Marinades for Any Cut and Occasion

I know it’s probably more convenient to buy ready-made BBQ marinades and sauces, but what if you’re nowhere near a shop? Or just prefer a fresher taste with your premium cuts? The price of meat being what it is, I’d say you want only the finest flavourings and who better to make them than you!

BTW, all of these make fabulous gifts for your hosts and friends as well.

Below are six recipes of my own personal go-to, home-made BBQ sauces. Between these 6 sauces, you’re covered pretty much for any kind of BBQ cut, from steak, lamb, chicken, pork, duck and even swordfish, snoek and prawns.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

A justly-famous Argentinian relish to accompany grilled or roast meat. Spoon some over your finest braaiied ribeye or T-bone steak when you’re ready to serve, and you’ll never look back. Chimichurri keeps up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge. Shake well before using.

Makes about 2 ½ cups (625 ml)

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) extra virgin olive oil

½ cup (125 ml) red wine vinegar

2 t (10 ml) crushed garlic

½ cup (125 ml) chopped flatleaf parsley

1 large ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped finely

1 t (5 ml) each of dried oregano, cayenne and sweet paprika

½ t (2.5 ml) ground cumin

1 bay leaf, crushed into small pieces

Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients together and season to taste. Let stand one hour before using to allow the flavours to marry before spooning over or alongside your favourite braai cuts. Chimichurri keeps up to three days in the fridge in an airtight container or jar.

EASY ALL-PURPOSE BBQ SAUCE

Good on anything, especially burgers and beef.

Makes about 2 ½ cups (625 ml) – enough for 1 kg meat.

Ingredients:

2 T (30 ml) sunflower oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 t (10 ml) crushed fresh garlic

1 can (400 g) tomato puree

4 T (60 ml) sun dried tomato pesto, paste or tomato concentrate

2 T (30 ml) soft brown sugar

2 T (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce

1 t (5 ml) cayenne

3 T (45 ml) red wine vinegar

2 T (30 ml) mild or Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Cook the onion in the oil over medium heat until soft and translucent and just beginning to brown.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes. If using as a marinade, let cool completely and pour over 1 kg meat to marinate between 1 and 24 hours. If using as a sauce, continue to simmer until thick. Serve hot or cold.

AMERICAN SMOKY BBQ SAUCE

Enough for 6 lamb chump chops or 2 T-bone steaks.

Ingredients:

1 T (15 ml) sweet molasses

1 t (5 ml) whiskey or bourbon

2 t (10 ml) smoked paprika

½ T (7.5 ml) cider vinegar

1 T (15 ml) tomato concentrate

2 T (30 ml) tomato ketchup

Juice of one lime – about 1 T (15 ml)

Method:

1. Mix well until smooth and pour over meat. The sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to one month.

SWEET PEPPER AND CHILLI MARINADE FOR BBQ CHICKEN OR FISH

This is a fairly thick marinade, redolent with the sweet smokiness of the peppers and a nice bite from the lemon and chillies. Lemon juice tenderises and inhibits bacterial action. The sauce is good with gamy fish like yellowtail, swordfish, snoek or even prawns, too.

Makes enough for 1.5 to 2 kg chicken or seafood

Ingredients:

500 g sweet red peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped

125 g red chillies, seeded and chopped

80-125 ml olive oil

2 T (30 ml) fresh lemon juice

1-2 t (5-10 ml) salt

½ t (2.5 ml) ground black pepper

Method:

1. Simmer the chopped peppers and chillies in just enough water to cover until soft – about 10 minutes. Drain off all liquid and puree peppers and chillies in a food processor.
2. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir well to combine. Pour over chicken or seafood and marinate in the fridge for 24 hours before grilling. You can sprinkle over some chopped fresh coriander leaves just before serving if you like.

SMOKED PAPRIKA, CUMIN AND CORIANDER RIB FOR PORK RIBS

If you’re not keen on too much fire with your food, by all means use sweet instead of smoked hot paprika. This is excellent with pork ribs and chops grilled or roast in the oven.

Makes about 1 cup (250ml)

Ingredients:

5 T (75 ml) cumin seeds

2 T (30 ml) coriander seeds

3 T (15 ml) smoked hot (or sweet) paprika

1 t (5 ml) mustard powder

2 t (10 ml) soft brown sugar

1 t (5 ml) ground allspice

1 t (5 ml) ground black pepper

1 T (1ml) sea salt flakes

Method:

1. Toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes until aromatic. Leave to cool completely and grind finely in a spice grinder.
2. Mix thoroughly with the remaining ingredients and store in an airtight container for up to 8 weeks.

USES:

Blend 3 T (45 ml) rub with 1 T (15 ml) oil and 1 T (15 ml) tomato puree and rub into pork ribs or chops. Let stand for about 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge before grilling or roasting.

CHINESE BBQ MARINADE

Hoisin is a crucial ingredient for this marinade. Luckily, most decent supermarkets stock it nowadays and if yours doesn’t, ask the manager to order it for you! You can, of course, also get it from any Asian grocer’s. This sauce is insanely good with pork, ribs, chicken, fish or red meat and especially duck!

Makes about 1 ½ cup (375ml), enough for 500g meat

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) hoisin sauce

1 T (15 ml) grated fresh ginger

½ cup plus 2 T (155 ml) Chinese plum sauce or smooth apricot jam

4 T (60 ml) tomato concentrate or puree

2 T (30 ml) mirin – sweet Japanese rice wine, or use dry sherry

3 t (45 ml) soy sauce

4 T (60 ml) hot water

Method:

1. Stir the hoisin, plum sauce or apricot jam and tomato concentrate in the mirin, soy sauce and hot water until dissolved and smooth. Pour over your choice of meat and marinade for at least 30 minutes before roasting in the oven or grilling over the coals. Baste with extra marinade while cooking. The sauce lasts up to 6 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.