Shelly's Recipe

SECRET SAUCE

Category: Sauces, Marinades, Spices, Glazes and Rubs

1 gallon apple cider vinegar
1 (28 oz) bottle ketchup
2 3/4 cups firmly-packed brown sugar
1/4 cup garlic powder, salt and crushed red pepper
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cloves

In a large stainless-steel pot over medium-high heat, combine all the ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until crushed red pepper sinks. Remove from heat.

It should be bottled hot, not boiling. Just hot enough that the bottles are hard to hold for more than a few seconds. Fill bottles within 1/2 inch of the top. By bottling hot, it will seal itself. Does not need refrigeration until after opening and then only to protect flavor.

NOTE: The sauce does not seem to have a problem with spoilage. I have used unopened bottles a year later and they have been very good. The sauce does get hotter with age.

If you like the sauce even hotter, add 1/4 cup of Tabasco before cooking.