From the perspective of a US citizen with a lifetime of exposure to movies, music, books, & restaurants, I assumed Aussies knew how to do barbecue. I am sure my take is a bit slanted and the reality of Australian cuisine is far different from my limited perspective but still, I wasn't wrong. They definitely know how to barbecue. 

In my journey to discover barbecue sauces, the similarities are glaringly obvious and my tour of Australian barbecue was no exception. That said, our meat preferences are uniquely different. For example, kangaroo meat is not uncommon and it's really hard for me to imagine this. No judgement at all, just on the other side of the world from my own experiences. The closest reference I have to kangaroos is Marlin Perkin's  Wild Kingdom and Jim (poor Jim). Look that up if you don't know what I'm talking about. (and by look that up I mean google it). Just a different view. Kangaroo meat might be normal here if we had kangaroos roaming the US.

I still find it hard to believe that ketchup is in so many recipes around the world. Am I just being played to like a tourist?  Does the world really use ketchup in almost every barbecue recipe?  I'll save that subject for a different post. 

While we roam the continent/country of Australia looking for good barbecue sauce recipes, I have slipped in some fun facts for your enjoyment.

Authentic Australian BBQ Sauce Recipe

Origin and Flavor Profile: Australian BBQ sauce has a distinct flavor that sets it apart. Unlike traditional American barbecue sauces, which tend to be sweet and smoky, Australian BBQ sauce combines tanginess with fruity notes and a hint of spice, complimenting meats and veggies. 

Ingredients:

Tomato Ketchup: 1 cup

Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup

Apple Cider Vinegar: 1/4 cup

Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons

Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon

Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon

Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon

Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon

Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.

Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let the flavors meld together until you have a rich and tangy sauce.

Serve with grilled meats or veggies and enjoy the taste of Down Under!

AUSTRAILIAN RUM BARBECUE SAUCE

Australian BBQ sauce is a staple in Aussie households and a must-have for any BBQ lover. Its rich and tangy flavor adds a delicious kick to grilled meats and vegetables. Made with a combination of ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices, this sauce delivers a mouthwatering taste that will leave you craving for more.

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Australian rum

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly.

Transfer the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan to puree the sauce until smooth.

Return the sauce to the heat and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely before using.

Authentic Australian Chilli Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

500g fresh red chili peppers

4 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup white vinegar

Instructions:

Wash the chili peppers thoroughly and remove the stems. For a milder sauce, you can also remove the seeds.

Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.

In a blender or food processor, combine the chili peppers, garlic, brown sugar, salt, and white vinegar. Blend until smooth.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once simmered, cool slightly and then blend again until smooth.

Serve this authentic Australian chili sauce as a dipping sauce, marinade, or condiment—it’s perfect for adding a spicy kick to your favorite dishes! 

Australian Mango Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients:

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

Prep the Mangoes:

Cut the mangoes into smaller chunks. If you’re not familiar with cutting mangoes, follow the tutorial in my Spicy Mango Lime Chutney recipe.

Blend the Sauce:

In a blender, combine the diced mangoes, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Process until smooth.

Cook the Sauce:

Pour the blended sauce into a medium saucepan.

Heat over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mangoes are soft and the sauce thickens.

Serve and Enjoy!

Pour the Mango Barbecue Sauce into a serving bowl.

Use it as a glaze, marinade, or dipping sauce for grilled chicken, pork, shrimp, or even breakfast sandwiches.

Authentic Outback BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

• Tomato ketchup: 1 cup
• Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Molasses: 2 tablespoons
• Bush tomatoes (optional, for a unique flavor): 1 teaspoon
• Lemon myrtle (optional, for a citrusy kick): 1 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Onion powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients.
2. Whisk well to blend.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Allow it to gently bubble for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
5. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool before using.

Pro Tip: Brush this flavorful Outback BBQ Sauce onto your grilled meats for an authentic taste of the Australian wilderness! 

Australian Bush Tomato Sauce:

Bush tomato: This fruit from this desert plant is sun-dried after harvesting and has a caramelly, sun-dried tomato taste. Chop and add to any tomato-based sauce. Native basil: Also known as bush basil, this aromatic native herb has basil, sage and mint notes reminiscent of Mediterranean flavours.

 Ingredients:

1 can of tomatoes

75ml white vinegar

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon native thyme

2 bay leaves

10gm crushed bush tomato

Instructions:

Cook half a roughly diced onion in a saucepan on low heat with a little oil for 3-5 minutes until soft and with little color.

Add 2 cloves finely chopped garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring regularly.

Pour in 200ml white wine and cook until the wine reduces to a third of its original volume.

Stir in the can of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, native thyme, bay leaves, and crushed bush tomato.Continue to cook on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until it resembles a chunkier sauce.

This sauce is typically used on grilled meats, such as kangaroo or beef, but it can also be a great accompaniment to vegetables or as a unique twist on pasta sauce. 

Thanks for tuning into my weekly discoveries. One or two more stops will bring this trip around the earth to a close. 

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