3 amazing BBQ sauce recipes that you can easily make from scratch

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A few saucy little numbers to brighten up your summer.

The difference between a good BBQ and a great BBQ can come down to something as simple as a good sauce. Adding the right sauce to your meat can elevate a simple cut of meat into a thing of beauty. A good marinade can also add some much-needed flavour and make it juicier and more tender. That’s a win-win solution if you ask us. The following three BBQ sauce recipes will get you through most occasions and help to solidify your rep as a barbequing god amongst men. Ready to begin?

Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce

Why you need it: Cola is a great sweetener for BBQ sauces and the combination of sweet and sharp in this sauce will work wonders. It gives the meat a great colour as well as a rich, zesty tasty. Ingredients: 2 tbs of olive oil, ¼ onion (finely minced), 1 cup of ketchup, 1 cup of Coca-Cola, 3tbs of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp of garlic powder, ½ tsp of black pepper (½ tsp of liquid smoke is optional). Directions: Heat a saucepan over a medium heat and add the oil and onions, cooking until the onion is translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients, increase heat and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens, stirring occasionally. After about six to 10 minutes, remove from the heat and let it cool. How to serve: You can use it as a dipping sauce or brush it on the meat for the last 10 minutes of cooking. It’s great for chicken, ribs and pork.

Spicy BBQ sauce

Why you need it: This fiery sauce is a spicy, savoury sauce that will get the very best out of your meat. Ingredients: 1 cup of red wine vinegar, 2/3 cup of tomato paste, ¼ chilli powder, ½ cup of maple syrup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp of cumin, 1 tbsp of dried oregano, 1 tbsp of hot sauce, ½ tsp salt. Directions: It couldn’t be easier. Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl. Stir before use. How to serve: This is a perfect dip or marinade. Marinade the meat before cooking and add more sauce as the meat is cooking to give it a good injection of flavour. It’s great on ribs, as a dipping sauce or with a steak.

The classic BBQ sauce

Why you need it: This is a classic BBQ staple but you can tweak the ingredients to suit your own personal tastes. It’s a simple but effective addition to any BBQ. Ingredients: 1 small onion (chopped), 3 cloves of garlic (crushed), 2 tbs of olive oil, 1 red chilli (diced), 1tsp of fennel seeds (crushed) 4 tbs of dark brown sugar, 3 tbs of dark soy sauce, 1 and ¼ cups of ketchup, salt and pepper to taste. Directions: Heat a saucepan over a medium heat and add the oil, onions, chilli, fennel seeds and sugar, cooking until the onion is translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients, increase heat and bring to the boil, then simmer for five to seven minutes. How to serve: You can use it as a simple dip or coat ribs, chops, chicken or sausages with it. Enjoy! With the recent summery weather, it's a great time to get a BBQ going. Lidl stocks everything you need at great prices so it's an obvious pit stop if you're planning a BBQ. Looking for some more recipe ideas? Lidl has even more great recipes on their website and ways to save on your shopping with their Full Shop Campaign! Brought to you by Lidl.