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This BBQ Sauce Recipe Was A Former President’s Favorite

ribs being sauced

Created by legendary Texas pitmaster Walter Jetton, this BBQ sauce recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite. Former president LBJ loved it!

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walter jetton

Walter Jetton’s Barbecue Sauce

3.76 from 37 votes
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Jetton bragged that his barbecue sauce would "tickle the tongue of your Grandma's shoe." In his book, Jetton wrote "This is the secret of the ages I am giving you here, and I would not be surprised if wars have been fought over less. Use this as a plate or table sauce with beef, chicken, pork, or almost anything else. Don't cook things in it.
Course: meat
Cuisine: American, barbecue, texas

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup tomato ketchup
  • ½ cup cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Morton Coarse Kosher Salt
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon American style paprika
  • 1 dash finely ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain.

Notes

About the salt. Remember, kosher salt is half the concentration of table salt so if you use table salt, use half as much. Click here to read more about salt and how it works.

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Published On: May 12, 2021
Last Modified On: March 14, 2026

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