Every March, the rodeo comes to Houston, bringing music, a carnival and, most important, good ol’ Texas barbecue. The pageantry is unparalleled; rodeo season is kicked off with a trail ride through the city. Being from a line of Black cowboys and barrel racers, I’ve had the privilege of joining a few trail rides myself. Once the trail ride is over, in true cowboy fashion, we unload our gear and cook a meal. 

Texas barbecue is unique and sacred: Every pitmaster and amateur barbecuer has their own wood blend, dry rubs and perfected cooking methods. All of these techniques are on display in the rodeo cook-off the week leading up to the actual livestock show and carnival. From brisket to ribs and chili, every dish is competing to be the best in its category or overall. Going to the rodeo on cook-off day is a treat. 

The comforting smell of burning wood mixed with the intoxicating smell of meat on the grill reminds me of home. If you’re lucky enough to get into the private tents, you can see how the craftsman really works. Unlabeled sauces and spice blends scattered everywhere, while barbecue sauce bubbles. Each team tries to differentiate itself from the others — and one way to do that is with a homemade barbecue sauce. 

Barbecue is an easy and delicious way to infuse flavor. I like to think of barbecue sauce as a “choose your own adventure” way of cooking. You start with a base — ketchup, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar; after that, how you create flavor is up to you! I like a sweet taste, followed by a nice kick of spices. I achieve this with dried chipotle peppers and plums. Stone fruit and barbecue go hand in hand. Boiling dried chipotles, plums, onions and garlic together creates a delectable puree that transforms your base into a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce.

This is a sauce I make at the start of the summer in preparation for grilling and barbecue season. You can use it for wings, ribs, chicken or my favorite — burgers!

Serving size: 4-8 burgers (4 double patty, 8 single patty) 

Sweet and Spicy Homemade Barbecue Sauce 

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