Harolds Mild Sauce Recipe
Looking for the famous Harold's Mild Sauce Recipe? You found it here! This sauce is a Chicago legend.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Tomato Ketchup.
- 1/2 cup Sweet Barbecue Sauce.
- 2 tablespoons Louisiana Hot Sauce.
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar.
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika.
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder.
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper.
Instructions
Mix the Base
- First, grab your medium saucepan. Pour in the ketchup and barbecue sauce. These create the thick, sweet base. Stir them together until smooth.
Add the Heat
- Next, add the hot sauce. Use a vinegar-based hot sauce. This adds that classic Chicago tang. You can add more for extra heat.
Sweeten the Mix
- Now, stir in the sugar and vinegar. The vinegar cuts through the sweetness. The sugar balances the spice. This creates a perfect flavor profile.
Season the Sauce
- Add the paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. These spices add depth. Smoked paprika gives a nice woody hint. Whisk until all clumps vanish.
Simmer on Low
- Place the pan on low heat. Do not let it boil. Simmer for about ten minutes. This blends the flavors together nicely.
Cool and Store
- Turn off the heat. Let the sauce cool down. Pour it into a glass jar. It tastes better after sitting.
Notes
- Use a high-quality ketchup brand.
- Cheap ketchup can be too watery.
- Let the sauce sit overnight.
- The flavors develop much better over time.
- Do not use high heat.
- High heat burns the sugar quickly.
- If it is too thick, add water.
- Add one teaspoon of water at a time.
- Taste the sauce as you go.
- You can add more sugar if needed.
- Use it on fried fish too.
- It tastes great on everything fried.