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What is the purpose of vinegar in a barbecue sauce recipe?

Written by Bethany on June 26th, 2009

southernserendipiti


Is it for tanginess, or is there another purpose? I tried a new barbecue sauce recipe last night - and it turned out that the recipe called for way too much vinegar. It still smells like the night before Easter in my house. Is there something else I can substitute and still get the same apparent flavor? Or, can I reduce it without compromising the sauce?
gojenni: You asked how much vinegar the recipe calls for — for one batch, the total amount of liquid in the recipe (including the ketchup) is 1 1/2 cups, with 1/2 of THAT being cider vinegar. I doubled the recipe and there was WAY too much vinegar. Thanks for your help!

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6 Comments at "What is the purpose of vinegar in a barbecue sauce recipe?"

zena1129 June 27th, 2009 (#)

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It moistness the meat so it wont be so tuff.

norm June 29th, 2009 (#)

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It adds a little tang and allows more sugar without being overly sweet.

Try this recipe. I developed it after years of trial and error.

Norm’s Sweet & Sour BBQ Sauce

1-40 Oz Bottle Catsup
1-Cup White Vinegar
1-Cup Water
2-Cups White Sugar
1-Cup Brown Sugar
4-Tsp Onion Salt
2-Tsp Celery Salt
1-Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1-Tsp Ground Cloves
1-Tsp Ground Allspice
1/4-Cup Liquid Smoke

Mix all together in saucepan and heat to boiling. Reduce heat & simmer 1 hour.

Yield about 7 cups.

gojenni714 July 1st, 2009 (#)

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Vinegar adds acidity to the sauce, which ultimately helps tenderize. What type of vinegar are you using? I would suggest an apple cider vinegar as it will add a little bit more flavor instead of the harshness of ordinary vinegar. Also, how much are you putting in? You shouldn’t need more than a few tablespoons at the most.

jaimestar64cross July 3rd, 2009 (#)

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Taste and another thing is that vinegar can tenderize the meat as it cooks, marinates or however you are using vinegar(sauce it is in)

mopo July 4th, 2009 (#)

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It gives it a tang and it helps to tenderize the meat too.

frostyprune July 7th, 2009 (#)

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the acid in it helps to make the meat tender. Just cut the vinegar back to a couple tablespoons. It will not taste right if you don’t put it in.