When it comes to making a good BBQ sauce, there are many different ingredients that you can use to give it flavor. One of those ingredients is molasses.
Molasses have a thick consistency and are dark syrup made from sugar cane or sugar beets. It has a strong, sweet flavor that can really add some depth to your sauce.
However, molasses can be hard to find, and it can also be expensive. If you don’t have molasses or you don’t want to use it, there are several substitutes that you can use.
Here are some of the best substitutes for molasses in BBQ sauce:
Substitute For Molasses In BBQ Sauce
1. Brown sugar
Brown sugar is a great substitute for molasses because it has a similar flavor. It will also add some sweetness to your sauce. When adding brown sugar to your sauce, start with a small amount and add more to taste.
To achieve the same flavor as molasses, use dark brown sugar. Remember that brown sugar is not the same as white sugar due to the different quantities of molasses in each sugar. This means brown sugar is a little sweeter than white sugar and has a more complex flavor.
White sugar can be used as a substitute for molasses, but it will not add the same depth of flavor. If you want a sweetener that will not alter the taste of your sauce, white sugar is a good option.
Certain recipes call for light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. If you cannot find these types of sugar, you can use regular brown sugar as a substitute. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
2. Honey
Honey has a distinct flavor that will change the overall taste of your sauce. It is a bit lighter in color than molasses, so it will not darken your sauce.
Honey is another great substitute for molasses because it has a similar sweetness. It will also add some depth of flavor to your sauce.
When adding honey to your sauce, start with a specific measured amount and then taste as you go. You can always add more, but you cannot take it away. A little goes a long way with honey, so be careful not to overdo it.
One tablespoon of honey can add 60 calories and 17 grams of sugar to your recipe. If you are trying to cut down on either of those, then honey may not be the best molasses substitute.
Honey is a great option if you are looking for a molasses substitute that will add sweetness and depth of flavor to your sauce. Just be mindful and do not add too much, as it can easily overpower the other flavors in your sauce.
3. Dark Corn Syrup
If you can’t get your hands on Molasses, you can substitute it with dark corn syrup. Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that’s a by-product of sugar refining. It’s used in baking and as a sweetener in many recipes.
Dark corn syrup is made from corn starch that’s been treated with enzymes to break it down into glucose. The glucose is then converted into fructose and mixed with corn syrup to create a sweetener similar in taste and consistency to molasses.
Molasses has a strong, distinct, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor. When adding BBQ sauce as a substitute for molasses, you’ll want to add some additional spices to balance out the flavor.
4. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup can help substitute refined sugar in recipes. It is also a source of antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Due to its high concentration of nutrients, maple syrup is often used as a natural sweetener in recipes. It can be used as an alternative ingredient to molasses to add sweetness and flavor depth to sauces, glazes, and marinades.
But make sure when you use a substitute like this, you adjust the remaining flavors in your recipe to compensate.
To get the ideal BBQ sauce when substituting maple syrup for molasses, use 1/4 cup of syrup for every 1/2 cup. This will give you the right thickness and sweetness. You may also want to add more vinegar to your recipe to balance the sweetness.
5. Golden Syrup
Golden Syrup is your best bet if you can’t find anything else to substitute Molasses for. This is a thick, amber-colored syrup that has a similar taste and texture to Molasses.
It’s made from sugarcane or beet juice and used in many different desserts. You can find this at most supermarkets.
While adding Golden syrup, make sure to reduce the quantity of the remaining sweet ingredients in the recipe. Remember that BBQ sauce has a specific taste and that too much sweetness can completely ruin it.
So, be very careful when adding a sweetener like golden syrup.
The Bottom Line
There are several substitutes for molasses that can be used in BBQ sauce. These include honey, dark corn syrup, maple, and golden syrup. Each of these options will add sweetness and depth of flavor to your sauce.
To avoid a taste alteration, be mindful not to add too much, as it can easily overwhelm the other flavors in your sauce. Experiment with different substitutes to find the one that you like best.
And when in doubt, always go with less rather than more. A little bit of sweetness can go a long way. So don’t overdo it.