Calling all San Diego area Chowhounds! Does anyone know the recipe for Board & Brew sauce?

Question

I'm new to Chowhound and I heard this would be the best place to come for help figuring out their recipe.

First, has anyone been to Board & Brew? There are a few from San Clemente, CA to San Diego, CA. I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I'm hoping you all can help.

Second, if you've been there, you have definitely had their sweet and sour sauce. It's amazing. 

Does anyone know the recipe? How would I imitate their delicious sauce? Any help is greatly appreciated!

I attached a photo of the sauce.

Thanks!

Answer

I have been trying to figure this out. So far I know that it doesn't have dairy or mayo in it and it has olive oil, red wine vinegar, powdered mustard, lots of sugar, and paprika. Any new info would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has the full recipe I would be willing to dish out some money for the ability to Make my own delicious sauce in bulk for all of my future sandwiches. Thanks!

Answer

I know it’s been years, but I recently came to SD, was told about B&B, and tried this sauce. It’s..so hard to describe. I tried to make it on my own, and here are my own thoughts:

1.) It has some mayo in it, but some sugar is definitely added to sweeten it up and make it different than a traditional mayo-based sauce;

2.) It May have a small amount of ketchup (my own copycat uses a small amount bit that isn’t the secret ingredient)

3.) Olive oil thins out the sauce and gives a rich, fatty flavor;

4.) Spices- so far, using just a little mustard powder and paprika Is enough to get the flavor profile right;

5.) A touch of red wine vinegar (possibly)

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...

FRESH TOMATOES. SERIOUSLY.

B&B’s special sauce has a weird freshness and- especially- “chunkiness”- that I don’t see anywhere else. It was random chance I put a tomato in the blender to try and even put some flavors, and it really tipped the scale and made this sauce come to life. I think it’s the tomatoes that makes this different than any other. I don’t have the color of B&B’s sauce down, and I’m continuing to figure this out- but this is my base and while I don’t have specific amounts- this is the right track.

Answer

Ok I just attempted and it’s close but it’s missing something... and you guys, I think I know what the missing ingredient is. I’m gonna go buy it and try it out and will update you soon!!!

Answer

This is the recipe for my last batch. It's really good and it feels close. I will update with any changes I make next time.

3 T sugar
2 T mustard powder
1 t paprika
1 heaping T jarred pimentos
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
Salt to taste
2 splashes red wine vinegar
about 1 cup oil
 
 (big T= tablespoon, little t=teaspoon)

Answer

I've been trying to figure this out myself. I actually don't think there is any vinegar at all, I think the sweet, bitterness and even color is coming from something else, hence they it throws off your taste buds. I think the secret ingredient is orange soda. I wouldn't use corn starch either, I would use Xanthan gum, which is a thickener used for BBQ sauce, mustard, ketchup, etc... you can pick up at Sprouts or Trader Joes. 

I think its little bit of oil, orange soda, onion or onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder or mustard, and maybe paprika, and Xanthan gum to thicken. I'm going to mess around more this weekend.

Answer

I’m so excited to find this feed! I’ve been dying to know what in that sauce for years! 
I will have to try your ideas very soon!

Answer

Any updates on the quest to find the magic ingredients and their proportions?

Curious minds want to know.

Answer

I just called a Board and brew store and asked for a ingredient list for the sauce. A worker told me they couldn't give that out cause it's a secret. I said I had allergy concerns about sesame, and nut oils and the guy said I should be okay and started reading the ingredients "off the box." He didn't read me all but the ones he said were:

 "canola oil, sugar, red onion and paprika."

It appears from this post stream that no one has figured out the RED ONION. That probably contributes to the color and fresh flavor. I would suggest others call in to local stores and claim they need allergy info on suspected ingredients to eliminate stuff that might not be in there (or tomato or pimento).

The sauce seems to basically be a modified French dressing.

Answer

has anyone tried the recipe with red onion? im dying to try to recreate this sauce for my homemade sandwiches

Answer

I read through the comments, gave it a shot, and got pretty damn close. As noted, there is no honey or mayo because it's vegan. I also didn't have canola oil, so I had to use olive oil. Sorry I didn't measure, but here's what I used:

Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Dijon mustard
Jarred pimientos
Diced red onion
Garlic powder
Paprika
Salt
Sugar

I opted for actual mustard instead of mustard seed/powder because I thought it would help with the color. The favor is really close, but it's still missing something(s). The sweetness flavor wasn't the same even though I added sugar. It's also way too oily and a little too dark, so I'm thinking there's something else in the liquid base. I'm going to try pineapple juice next time and maybe a pinch of ginger powder.

Answer

I joined this website just for this post!

Let's make 2021 a year to remember and figure out this recipe once and for all..

Just remember, for every 1 person that comments, another 100 people are lurking, waiting, searching, dreaming saucy dreams, desperately waiting for an answer. Help yourself, and help others, be kind, be generous, let's all gain some weight together because we figured out how to make this 300 cal/ cup dressing at home so we can chug it by the gallon! Weeeeee!!

Haha I am the new spirit animal of this post, so I will cheer you on, and help however I can. I promise =P

Answer

Update: I'm getting closer! The taste, color, and consistency are so close that I'd have to get a sample from Board and Brew to cross compare.

4oz canola oil
2oz pineapple juice 
2oz Dijon mustard 
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 heaping tablespoon diced pimientos (might need to increase to 1 1/2 tablespoons) 
2 tablespoons sugar (might need to adjust this) 
1 1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar 
Pinch of salt
OPTIONAL: Pinch of xanthan gum to make it a little thicker

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Calling all San Diego area Chowhounds! Does anyone know the recipe for Board & Brew sauce?

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