PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Thick BBQ sauce is a key ingredient in making the perfect sandwich or steak. Both store-bought and homemade BBQ sauce can be too thin from time to time, but there are plenty of ways to easily change the consistency of this family favorite. BBQ sauce can be thickened by boiling it to remove excess liquid, or you can add flour, cornstarch, or some fat to thicken it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Boiling BBQ Sauce

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pour the sauce into a medium saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stovetop, and set the temperature to the medium setting.
    • You can also use the stovetop on a gas grill if you prefer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Stir the sauce occasionally with a wooden spoon. Pay attention to it as it heats up so you notice when it starts to boil.
    • The steam that evaporates from the saucepan is the liquid leaving the sauce. The more liquid that is removed, the thicker the sauce will become.
    Advertisement
  3. Continue to stir the sauce occasionally. Check the thickness of the sauce regularly by lifting small amounts up with a spoon and observing the consistency.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Turn the temperature on the stovetop off. Take the saucepan off the heat.
  5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Flour or Cornstarch

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Place the sauce into a saucepan on the stovetop. Set the temperature to a low setting.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.
    • Use either a fork or a whisk to mix the flour and water.
    • This amount of thickener works best for 1 cup (250 mL) of BBQ sauce. Adjust the amount of thickener as required by the amount of BBQ sauce that you are using.
    • It isn't entirely necessary to mix the flour or cornstarch with water first, however this will prevent clumping and will make sure that the thickener is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Pour the flour or the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan. Use a wooden spoon to combine the thickener and the sauce. Increase the temperature to bring the sauce to a boil.
    • Stir the sauce occasionally as you bring it to a boil.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Once the sauce begins boiling, lower the temperature of the stovetop. Stir the sauce for 2 minutes as it simmers.
  5. This should take around 2 minutes. Turn the temperature off on the stovetop, and remove the pot from the hot element.
    • The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
  6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Adding Fats

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Heat 1 cup (250 mL) of BBQ sauce with 1 tbsp (14 g) of butter over a medium heat. Reduce the heat down to low once the sauce starts to boil. Stir the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
    • If your BBQ sauce is still too thin, make it thicker by adding small amounts of butter.
    • Organic butter works the best. [1]
    • If you want to substitute margarine for butter, use a trans fat free type.
    • Using this small amount of butter will only work to make the sauce slightly thicker. The flavor of the sauce may change if you increase the amount of butter.
  2. Combine 1 tbsp (15 mL) of heavy cream with 1 cup (250 mL) of BBQ sauce. Heat the BBQ and the heavy cream until it boils, and then reduce the heat so that the sauce simmers. Stir the sauce until the desired consistency is reached. [2]
    • Use heavy cream that is made from either cow’s milk or goat’s milk.
    • This amount of heavy cream will thicken the sauce slightly. Using more heavy cream will start to change the flavor of the sauce significantly.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Thicken BBQ Sauce
    Heat 1 cup (250 mL) of BBQ sauce with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of coconut cream over a medium heat. Bring the sauce to a boil, before reducing the heat. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes and stir it until the preferred thickness is reached.
    • Add more coconut cream if the BBQ sauce doesn’t thicken enough.
    • The coconut cream will alter the flavor of the BBQ sauce, so experiment by adding small amounts first to see if you like the flavor.
    • This is an ideal vegan option for thickening BBQ sauce using fats.
  4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Flour and cornstarch are found in many kitchens, and these are convenient ingredients to thicken BBQ sauce. Try using fats to adjust the flavor slightly, and see what you prefer.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 62,288 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Le Norman

        Jan 31, 2023

        "This article enlightened me on what ingredients I could add to my sauce to make it thicker. Awesome!"
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement