How to Thicken BBQ Sauce: Quick & Easy Methods

Nobody likes thin, runny BBQ sauce – it should be thick and sticky. Learn how to thicken BBQ sauce easily with common ingredients found in your kitchen.

Characterized by its thick texture and smoky flavor, BBQ sauce is a versatile and popular sauce in North America. You can eat it with a wide range of foods; black bean burgers, plant-based sandwiches, cauliflower wings, or even fries. At times, when making your own vegan BBQ sauce, or when you purchase certain brands, you could end up with a thin and runny sauce that is way below your expectations. If you want to learn how to thicken BBQ sauce, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you how to fix your smoky sauce with common ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

How to Thicken BBQ Sauce: 6 Easy Ways

Regardless of if it’s store-bought or homemade, there are several ways how you can thicken BBQ sauce. We compiled a few easy methods to help you achieve a thick sauce in little to no time:

1. Evaporate any excess liquid: This first method may be the best way how to thicken BBQ sauce and any other rather liquid sauce. All you need to do is to place your BBQ sauce in a small sauce pan and heat it up on low heat. This will make any excess amount of vinegar or water to evaporate, leaving you with a thicker result.
2. Add flour: This common method is also used to thicken up stews and other popular dishes. For every cup of BBQ sauce, you will need two tablespoons of flour and ¼ cup of water. Combine both ingredients in a small bowl to create a slurry, and mix until there are no lumps. Then, add it to your BBQ sauce after simmering it for about five minutes. Stir it well while simmering for another minute or two, and then allow it to cool.
3. Add cornstarch or chickpea flour instead: If you want to stay away from processed flours or you follow a gluten-free diet, use cornstarch or homemade chickpea flour instead, and follow the same steps.
4. Use butter: If you want to avoid animal products, try using margarine instead, since it’s a vegan substitute for butter. Simply heat up one cup of BBQ sauce alongside one tablespoon of butter at medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce it to low heat and stir the mix until it thickens up.
5. Use vegan heavy cream or any other vegan substitute for heavy cream. Follow the same process as with the butter, and the result will be a thick and creamy BBQ sauce.
6. Use coconut oil or coconut cream: Another way how to thicken BBQ sauce is by adding coconut oil or cream. Coconut oil has a lot of health benefits, and it is a vegan alternative that is less processed than vegan butter or heavy cream. Use the same method as for the butter and heavy cream in order to get the same results. Just be aware that there may be a slight coconut flavor added to your sauce. 

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