"The recipes and traditions of Tuskegee are a joyful celebration of hope triumphant. In those lean, hungry early years when Tuskegee was little more than a dream, food was central to survival. 'Festivals' or 'suppers,' held to raise money were an integral part of every celebration. Town people, both black and white, gave a cake, a chicken, bread, or pies that could be sold at the festival. Even the school's industries, which according to Booker T. Washington, 'started in natural and logical order,' began with farming because 'we wanted something to eat.'"
- Carolyn Quick Tillery
Grab some napkins and put on your game face. This Southern barbecue sauce goes quick! Luckily, there's plenty of sauce leftover for whatever you want to lick next. Get your marinade together and you'll ease right into this homemade barbecue sauce.
Learn more about how to cook with kids.
Jump to:
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Amazon links are not affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure.
The African-American Heritage Cookbook
This bbq chicken marinade recipe comes from The African-American Heritage Cookbook: Traditional Recipes and Fond Remembrances from Alabama's Renowned Tuskegee Institute by Carolyn Quick Tillery.
For over 100 years, the small Southern town of Tuskegee, Alabama, has been a mecca for African-Americans. The Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, grew from a fledgling school to a major center of American progress and education.
This unique narrative cookbook traces the history and heritage of Tuskegee through reminiscences, vintage photographs, poetry, journal entries, and more than 200 recipes for delicious appetizers, entrees, side dishes, breads, beverages, and desserts that reflect the diverse and mouthwatering flavors of Southern African-American cuisine.
related recipe!
Barbecue Marinade
Teaser text for your recipe.
Family & Kids Cooking Resources
Beautiful & diverse cooking resources for you!
Top Tip
If your kids are still learning to navigate their way around meat, try drumsticks. Everyone loves a drumstick!
Who likes Southern barbecue sauce?
How to Make Southern Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- barbecue marinade - this homemade barbecue marinade is a must-have for this Southern barbecue sauce. Nothing goes to waste
- tomato juice
- tomatoes
- Worcestershire sauce
- liquid smoke
- beer - we like Sam Adams Just the Haze for this homemade bbq sauce
- hot pepper sauce - we love to experiment with different sauces. For this southern barbecue sauce, we chose Rancho Gordo's Gay Caballero. It's one of my favorites
- maple syrup
- allspice
- cloves
- celery seed
- dry mustard - the kids love to grind up this Bindu Black Mustard. It has a very unique appearance and texture compared to our other spices
- paprika - branch out with this Castillo Spanish Pimentón
- lemon pepper
- lemon - you'll need just 2 lemon slices for this recipe
- cayenne pepper - we like variety with our chilli pepper
- cornstarch
Food Allergy or Substitution Needed?
Click the buttons below to ask AI how to alter it for your diet!
Equipment
- Apron
- Prep Bowls
- Butcher Block
- Child-Friendly Knife
- Chef Knife
- Molcajete (optional)
- Blender or Processor or Immersion Blender
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cup
- Wooden Spoon
- Dutch Oven
Slice the Tomatoes & Lemon
Wash your hands with soap and water. Use a knife and cutting board to quarter the tomatoes and slice the lemon.
Add the Ingredients to the Pot
Use a measuring spoon, measuring cup, and molcajete to measure the ingredients and grind the spices needed for this Southern barbecue sauce. Include all of the ingredients except for the cornstarch. Wash your hands.
Bring the Pot to a Boil
Turn the stove to high heat and bring the ingredients to a boil.
Simmer for 1 Hour
Once the pot is boiling, turn the heat to low. Let the pot simmer for 1 hour. Turn off the stove when finished. Stir occasionally.
Purée in a Blender
Transfer the contents of the pot to a blender or processor. Purée the vegetables until smooth. When finished, transfer the purée back to the pot. Turn the heat to medium-low.
You can also use an immersion blender if you want to purée the vegetables in the pot.
Add the Cornstarch
Combine the cornstarch with ½ cup of water. Add it to the sauce and stir. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the stove when finished.
"This sauce is lip-smacking, bread-sopping good."
free recipe!
Southern BBQ Sauce
Get your marinade together and you'll ease right into this sauce.
Free Southern BBQ Sauce Recipe for Pre-Readers & Up
Grab your free printable recipe cards above. Kids can gather ingredients using the ingredient list, gather their equipment with the tools list, and prepare the meal using the step-by-step recipe cards, with assistance as needed.
The cards are easy to use, include pictures, and encourage confidence and independence in the kitchen. They also make an excellent addition to your Montessori continent box for North America.
Montessori Continent Boxes
Explore every continent with these solid maple hardwood boxes.
Southern Barbecue Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- barbecue marinade
- 1 ¼ cups tomato juice
- 2 tomatoes quartered
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 ½ cups malt liquor beer
- ½ cup hot pepper sauce
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon allspice ground
- ½ teaspoon cloves ground
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- ¾ teaspoon dry mustard
- 4 ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 2 slices lemon
- 1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Slice the Tomatoes & Lemon: Wash your hands with soap and water. Use a knife and cutting board to quarter the tomatoes and slice the lemon.
- Add the Ingredients to the Pot: Use a measuring spoon, measuring cup, and molcajete to measure the ingredients and grind the spices needed for this Southern barbecue sauce. Include all of the ingredients except for the cornstarch. Wash your hands.
- Bring the Pot to a Boil: Turn the stove to high heat and bring the ingredients to a boil.
- Simmer for 1 Hour: Once the pot is boiling, turn the heat to low. Let the pot simmer for 1 hour. Turn off the stove when finished.
- Purée in a Blender: Transfer the contents of the pot to a blender or processor. Purée the vegetables until smooth. When finished, transfer the purée back to the pot. Turn the heat to medium-low.
- Add the Cornstarch: Combine the cornstarch with ½ cup of water. Add it to the sauce and stir. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the stove when finished.
Notes
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
- Full Lesson Info and Pictures at: https://happyhomeschooladventures.com/barbecue-sauce
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Leave a Reply