Description
Sweet, smoky, and tangy – this Chicago mild sauce recipe brings iconic Windy City flavor to fried chicken, fries, and more.
Ingredients
Scale
Core Ingredients:
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce (brown sugar-style)
- ¼ cup Louisiana-style hot sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegan if needed)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix ketchup, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, black pepper, and water. Whisk until smooth.
- Simmer Sauce: Heat over medium, whisking constantly. Simmer gently for 6–8 minutes until slightly thickened and aromatic.
- Taste & Adjust: Let cool for 3–4 minutes, then taste. Adjust sweetness, tang, or spice as needed.
- Cool & Store: Once cool, transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle. Refrigerate up to 10 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Notes
- Make It Vegan: Use vegan Worcestershire or sub with soy sauce and lemon.
- For Less Heat: Omit cayenne and reduce hot sauce.
- Serving Ideas: Perfect for fried chicken, fries, shrimp, burgers, roasted veggies, and more.
- Reheating Tip: Warm gently on stove, not in microwave.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American (Chicago)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 64 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 368 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg