Turkey Barbecue Sauce

There are many types of turkey barbecue sauce. Technically, this is a finishing sauce because it is applied to the turkey in the last few minutes of cooking or after cooking is done. It can also be used as a dipping sauce after the meat comes to the table.

Barbecue sauce often has a high sugar content, and it can burn if applied to the meat too early. This is what differentiates it from a mop which is "mopped" or squirted onto the meat throughout the cooking process. There is overlap though, for example the Alabama White Sauce below works as a mop and as a finishing sauce.

There are regional differences in turkey barbecue sauces. Although the classic "Kansas City" tomato based sauce is the most popular, there are many other types of sauce that work.

What follows are a few turkey barbecue sauce recipes along with suggestions and examples of other ingredients and flavors which can make these sauces uniquely your own. Don't feel constrained by the examples. If you come up with a sauce which approaches perfection, please tell us so that we may share it with others.

Be sure to check back as this list will continue to expand.

Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

There are many recipes for Kansas City Barbecue Sauce. Here is a basic along with suggestions to make it your own.

1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 Medium onion
3 Cloves of garlic
1 Cup tomato puree
3/4 Cup cider vinegar
3/4 Cup water
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 Cup tomato paste
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon celery salt
1 Tablespoon black pepper

Make it your own by adding a tablespoon or more of: chili powder, paprika, yellow mustard, poultry seasoning, horseradish, extra sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice, garlic salt, onion salt, liquid smoke, the secret ingredient.

Alabama White Sauce

This sauce is totally different. If you don't like a sour flavor with meat this may not be for you. Because it does not have a high sugar content it can be used as a basting sauce. It is not a tomato based sauce but rather a mayonnaise based sauce so if it is contaminated with raw poultry it can not be boiled. So keep some of this sauce separate to be used as a finishing sauce.

* 1 /2 cup mayonnaise
* 1 /3 cup cider vinegar
* Dash hot pepper sauce
* Dash salt
* 1 teaspoon or more lemon juice

Whisk to combine. Can be used to baste or as a finishing sauce.

Make it your own by adding a tablespoon or more of any of the following: black pepper, sugar, spicy brown mustard, crushed garlic; and 1/4 teaspoon or more of Creole seasoning, prepared horseradish, the secret ingredient.

Owensboro Kentucky Black Sauce

This sauce is made for mutton but it is used for a variety of meats and works wonderfully as a turkey barbecue sauce. This has a very spicy peppery flavor so adjust the pepper to your taste.

2 teaspoons oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Heat the oil over medium heat, add onion and cook about 5 minutes until golden brown, add other ingredients and cook another 15 minutes. Makes about one cup.

Make it your own with: 1/4 teaspoon or more of tabasco sauce, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, onion salt, and/or minced garlic cloves, the secret ingredient.

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