This Filipino-style barbecue Sauce/Marinade is infused with soy sauce, lemon, sugar, and the secret ingredient, which is not a secret anymore- SPRITE. This barbecue is bursting with flavor, and it seeps into the meat giving it a unique taste that we Filipinos love. Give it a try.
You may also like How to Cook Rice in the Instant Pot, Homemade Fishball Sauce Recipe, Japanese Sweet Potato Cooked in the Instant Pot, Filipino Style Steamed Buns, and Velveeta Cheese Burger Mac.
FOR MORE GRILLING RECIPES:
Filipino Style Barbecue Sauce:
A Deliciously Savory and Sweet Marinade for Your Grilled Meats
This sauce, known as “sarsa,” (marinade) in the Philippines, is a staple sauce in Filipino cuisine. This sweet and savory sauce is commonly used to marinate grilled meat, particularly chicken and pork, and is a popular addition to any outdoor barbecue or gathering.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes Filipino barbecue sauce unique, what it consists of, and how to make it at home.
What is Filipino BBQ called?
Filipino barbecue is known as “inasal” in some regions of the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas. However, it can be called “barbecue” or “BBQ.”
What is Filipino BBQ made of?
Filipino barbecue is typically made with chicken or pork, marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and other seasonings. The meat is then grilled or roasted over an open flame, producing a slightly charred and smoky flavor.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THIS BBQ SAUCE?
This sauce has several ingredients, but the Sprite is the main attraction. They say that the carbon of the Sprite makes the meat soft and lets the sauce seep through the flesh, giving it a very delicious taste.
Ingredients
- Soy sauce is a famous sauce created from fermented soybeans, wheat, and salt. It is a staple ingredient in many Asian cuisines, and it is used and is used as a seasoning, marinade, or dipping sauce.
- Jufran Plain Ketchup, or regular ketchup, is a type of ketchup made of banana, and this is spicy and sweet at the same time, but you can also use regular ketchup found in the store. Ketchup adds sweetness and tanginess to the soy sauce, making it a perfect base for the marinade or dipping sauce.
- Lemon Juice or Kalamansi Juice-lemon is the most available in the USA, so we are using that. Lemon juice or kalamansi juice adds a tangy and sour flavor to the soy sauce, balancing out the sweetness from the ketchup and brown sugar.
Kalamansi is a citrus fruit commonly used in Filipino cuisine, but it is not available here in the US, so you can use lemon juice as a substitute.
- Brown sugar- adds a darker color to the sauce than white granulated sugar. Brown sugar is a type of sugar that contains molasses, which gives it a rich and caramel-like flavor.
It adds sweetness to the mixture and helps balance the acidity of the lemon juice or kalamansi juice. - Garlic and Onion powder-this add a delicious flavor to the marinade. Garlic powder is a seasoning made from dried and ground garlic.
It adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the soy sauce, complementing the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar. - Black pepper- Ground black pepper adds a subtle and savory flavor to the soy sauce, balancing out the sweetness and adding a hint of spiciness.
- Sprite-Sprite or any clear soda adds a different taste to the soy sauce and helps to tenderize the meat when used as a marinade.
You can use any clear soda, such as 7-Up or Mountain Dew, as a substitute.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine the soy sauce, ketchup, lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
Mix well until the brown sugar is dissolved. - You can add more sugar or lemon juice if you want it sweeter or tangier. Add the soda=Pour in the Sprite or any clear soda and mix until it’s well stirred.
Adjust seasoning
Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
Common Questions
Can I freeze this sauce?
- Yes. You can freeze this sauce. Label the container and freeze.
What type of Sauce Can I Use?
- Use light soy sauce, but if you only have dark soy sauce, you can use it too, but adjust the sugar accordingly.
What goes with Filipino barbecue?
- Filipino barbecue is perfect with steamed rice, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, and vinegar dipping sauce. You can enjoy it with a variety of other Filipino side dishes, such as pancit (noodle dish), lumpia (spring rolls), or ensalada (vegetable salad).
What is the most famous sauce in the Philippines?
- The most famous sauce in the Philippines is likely banana ketchup, a sweet and tangy condiment made with mashed bananas, vinegar, sugar, and spices. It’s commonly used as a dipping sauce for fried foods like chicken or fish. However, for barbecue, the most famous sauce is “sarsa”.
BBQ Rub (Baste)
Ingredients
- Marinade Mixture
- Ketchup
- Oil
Instruction
- Simply mix all of the rub ingredients and set aside until ready to use. Brush your meat with it.
What are the traditional Filipino sauces?
Aside from banana ketchup, other traditional Filipino sauces include:
- Sarsa (Filipino barbecue sauce)
Toyomansi (a dipping sauce made with soy sauce and calamansi juice)
Vinegar dipping sauce (a simple dipping sauce made with vinegar, garlic, and chili peppers)
Atchara (pickled papaya salad, often served as a sauce)
What do you call Filipino dipping sauces?
- Filipino dipping sauces are also called “sawsawan.” This term can apply to various dipping sauces and condiments in Filipino cuisine.
What is the Philippines sauce?
- There isn’t a single “Philippines sauce,” as the country’s cuisine is diverse and varied. However, as mentioned earlier, banana ketchup is one of the most famous condiments in the Philippines.
What are the four sauces with BBQ?
The four main sauces used in BBQ are:
- Tomato-based sauce: made with ketchup, vinegar, and various spices
- Mustard-based sauce: made with mustard, vinegar, and different spices
- Vinegar-based sauce: made with vinegar, herbs, and sometimes tomato sauce or ketchup
- White sauce: made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and various spices
Filipino Style Barbecue Sauce (Marinade)
Equipment
- Whisk
- Small Bowl
Ingredients
Marinade/Sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup Jufran ketchup tomato ketchup will work
- 1 lemon juice of one lemon
- 1/2 cup Sprite
Rub
- 1/2 cup marinade
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp oil or annato oil
Instructions
Make the Marinade
- In a large bowl add all of the ingredients and mix until the sugar and the garlic powder are fully dissolved. Set aside until ready to use, or put in a small bowl and freeze or refrigerate.
Make the Baste/Rub
- Remove a half cup of the marinade mixture and add the ketchup and the oil. Set aside until ready to use.
Video
Welcome!
Hi, my name is Shobee. Welcome to The Skinny Pot, where we cook Easy Recipes from the available ingredients from our pantry and fridge! We’re your go-to source for simple and delicious recipes that make the most of what you already have at home. Talk about the pantry challenge. Read more...
Anonymous says
This is straight up like the Philippines.It’s easy and the taste will knock your socks off.Try it!