Many people celebrate St Patrick’s Day by wearing something green and possibly enjoying a pint, or more, of Irish Beer aka stout. Just ask my niece and her husband in Ireland.
As for food, there are several semi-traditional dishes to choose from like Irish Beer Barbecue Sauce.
You can go with everything from corned beef to a hearty lamb stew or fresh seafood to fish and chips. The cooking possibilities go far past the idea of dropping some green food coloring into mashed potatoes or a cold beer.
However, since I often write about grilling and barbecue, and St Patrick’s Day falls around the start of spring, I decided to take one Irish ingredient and focus on it being used in… one of the best barbecue sauces ever! The ingredient? Guinness!
Guinness Brewery
Arthur Guinness started brewing ale in Dublin, Ireland, in 1759 with the dark beer porter being introduced in 1778. Now it is brewed in almost 50 countries, and available nearly worldwide.
The Guinness Storehouse, located in James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations.
The brew is so famous that classes are given on how to properly “pour” a Guinness so that it has a perfectly formed head with bubbles that are near the pint glass walls sink while bubbles in the center rise.
As for cooking, Guinness can be used as an ingredient in many dishes ranging from sauces to stew and soups and marinades to a hearty French toast. Or, enjoy one with a steak. Except for this article, it’s time to bring Guinness into the world of Southern Style Barbecue!
Guinness Barbecue Sauce
Here’s all you need for this great-tasting sauce that’s perfect for grilling up something delish while you’re celebrating St Patrick’s Day… or just grilling and you want a Guinness barbecue sauce. The great thing is you can use several… some for the sauce and save the rest for a nice pour!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped sweet onions
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
3 bottles of Guinness
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2- 3 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3-4 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Instructions: Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add in the onions and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until onions are soft.
Next pour in the three bottles of Guinness and mix. Cook for about 30 minutes until reduced by half. Mix in the remaining ingredients and simmer on low for about 30 minutes.
You can serve warm, but I suggest making this sauce a day before you need it and putting it in a covered container in your refrigerator.
First, it takes something off of the to-do list when you’re already trying to get the grill ready. Secondly, the flavor really kicks in after resting in the fridge overnight.
Multiple Uses
While this sauce is perfect for slow-smoked ribs and pulled Boston butt, it’s also very tasty on chicken! And, with the addition of more hot sauce, it becomes a nice variation of a Nashville Hot Chicken barbecue sauce that can be drizzled over fried chicken breast and tenders.
If you want to try this variation, I suggest simmering a bit longer to reduce further.
Also, while it’s simmering or you’re manning the grill, sit back and enjoy a Guinness!
Author Bio: Kent Whitaker, also known as “The Deck Chef,” is an award-winning culinary writer and cookbook author. He’s also penned Young Reader, NASCAR, and History titles. The former winner of the Emeril Live Food Network Barbecue Contest also covers football, motorsports, and bass fishing. Kent currently lives in East Tennessee with his wife, son, and a couple of dogs that love when he fires up the smoker or grill. You can reach out to Kent at thedeckchef.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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