When it comes to awesome condiments, A1 steak sauce recipe takes the cake. But did you know that you can make it yourself at home at a fraction of the cost?
You’re already spending a lot of money on the steak, so you may want to use something affordable for the sauce, without sacrificing flavor, of course.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
This copycat A1 steak sauce recipe is not only inexpensive but also calls for the most common pantry ingredients.
There may be a handful of them, but I’m sure you already have them on hand!
Aside from the ingredients, all you’ll need is a bowl, a spoon, and 2 minutes – tops. It couldn’t get any easier than that.
Want a sweet, tangy, smoky steak sauce that tastes even better than the original? This recipe is all you’ll need.
A1 Steak Sauce Recipe
A1 steak sauce has been around as early as the 19th century.
It’s made with a blend of ketchup, mustard, vinegar, orange juice, raisins, and corn syrup.
The sauce has a unique flavor that goes perfectly well with steaks, hamburgers, meatloaf, and any other meat dish you can think of.
The downside? It’s expensive. It contains a bunch of preservatives, too, such as potassium sorbate and xanthan gum.
Fortunately, A1 steak sauce is easy to replicate, minus all those artificial ingredients.
With this recipe, you’ll get to enjoy the goodness of the classic sauce not only at a much cheaper cost but also without the preservatives.
Ingredients
The original A1 sauce contains a dozen of ingredients, some of which are hard to spell and pronounce.
This recipe keeps things simple by using the most basic pantry ingredients. Here’s all you’ll need:
- Ketchup. The sweet and tangy base of the sauce. Stick to quality brands such as Heinz and Del Monte.
- Yellow Mustard. The combination of mustard seeds, turmeric, and vinegar make this condiment tart and tangy. It complements the sweetness of the ketchup well.
- Worcestershire Sauce. For that umami goodness. Worcestershire sauce also contains anchovies, soy sauce, tamarind, vinegar, molasses, and sugar. Talk about a medley of flavors!
- Vinegar. For a mild tang that balances out the sweetness of the ketchup. For best results, use apple cider vinegar is the
- Hot Sauce. To spice things up a little.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
Tips for the Best Sauce
- The longer it rests, the better the flavor. Let the sauce sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to marry.
- Homemade steak sauce keeps well, as long as stored properly. Store sauce in a sealed jar and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
- For a longer lifespan, keep it in the freezer! Frozen sauce will keep well for up to 2 months. That’s why it makes for a great gift.
- This recipe can be easily double or tripled. You can also half it to yield a smaller batch.
- Apart from meats, you can also use the sauce for dipping. Fries, wings, and onion rings never tasted better.
- You can also use the sauce to make vegan dishes taste like meat. See how it transforms the flavor of tofu and mushroom burgers!
- Feel free to swap yellow mustard with brown or dijon mustard.
Can I Use This As a Marinade?
Definitely, but you’ll need to tweak it a little bit.
Once the sauce is done, add 2 tablespoons of oil, minced garlic cloves, and a dash of ground pepper. Soak the meat in the sauce for an hour before cooking.
Variations
This recipe is already tried and tested, but you can also add more ingredients to switch things up. Here are some suggestions:
- For a bit of a kick, add some horseradish. It’s very strong, though, so just add a little, about 1/4 teaspoon.
- You can also use wasabi instead of horseradish for an Asian twist. Skip the salt and use soy sauce, and add sesame oil and ginger.
- For a kid-friendly sauce, skip the hot sauce.
- Add a bright citrus flavor with a splash of orange juice.
- For more spice, add cayenne powder, sriracha, chipotle peppers, or buffalo wing sauce.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke for a smoky barbecue flavor.
- Add 2 teaspoons of sauteed minced garlic for more flavor and aroma. Garlic powder works, too.
- For a Mexican flair, add some chili powder, cumin, coriander, and a splash of lime juice.
- Want something creamier? Mayo, sour cream, or Greek yogurt will do the trick.
- Add fresh herbs such as rosemary, parsley, thyme, and basil for an earthy flavor.
Fun Facts About A1 Steak Sauce
- Ever wonder where the famous sauce got its name? As it turns out, this sauce was named by Britain’s King George IV. The sauce was introduced to the king in 1824 by Chef Henderson William Brand. He loved it so much, he declared it “A1.”
- In 2001, American rock singer Meat Loaf appeared in a TV ad to promote the sauce. The original slogan was “A1 — makes beef sing,” but in the commercial, it was changed to “Makes Meat Loaf sing.”
- This sauce is so versatile, you can also use it to repair scratches on furniture! You can use it to shine your shoes as well.
- I’ve never tried it, but the sauce is said to relieve itching from insect bites.
- Since it contains vinegar and tomato (from the ketchup), you can use it to remove stains from copper and brass.
More Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
Arby’s Sauce
Heinz 57 Sauce
Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
Taco Bell Diablo Sauce
A1 Steak Sauce Recipe
12
servings5
minutes30
minutes29
kcalIngredients
1 1/4 cups 1 1/4 ketchup
2 tablespoons 2 yellow mustard
2 tablespoons 2 Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons 1 1/2 apple cider vinegar
4 drops hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 salt
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 ground pepper
1 pinch 1 cayenne pepper.
Instructions
- Add the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper into a bowl. Stir until well-combined. Transfer the mixture into a jar, seal well, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
