You can make copycat A1 Steak Sauce with junk-free ingredients at home in no time! Homemade steak sauce that is delicious and easy!
Do you like A1 Steak Sauce? If you are anything like me, you probably have a love-hate relationship with it. On one hand, you love the taste and probably grew up with it as a staple in your house but on the other hand, you hate the low-quality ingredients that they choose to use to make it.
What if I told you your favorite steak sauce could be at your fingertips any time you want, without having to send even a penny on that pricey little bottle we all grew up loving?
All of that is about to come true with this amazing copycat A1 steak sauce recipe that has all the flavor with none of the processed and foreign ingredients.
Once you try this homemade recipe, you’ll never even think about reaching for the premade sauce ever again. Trust me!
How To Make Homemade Steak Sauce?
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except for the orange. Squeeze the juice from the orange into the saucepan and then add in the juiced orange segments. Bring to a boil, lower light to a simmer. After a few minutes, remove orange segments and discard.
Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer (make sure to strain into a measuring cup or other container!).Use a spoon or spatula to push all the liquid out of the chunky bits.
Lastly, return sauce to the pan and bring back to a simmer. Reduce, stirring occasionally, until level of thickness is reached and enjoy!
What Are the Ingredients in Store-Bought A1 Sauce?
We all know that store-bought foods can be riddled with all kinds of concerning ingredients we’ve never heard of, much less want to put into our body. Store-bought A1 sauce, is unfortunately no different, with the third ingredient being corn syrup, followed by things like Potassium Sorbate, and Xanthan Gum.
Here’s the full list of ingredients: (From the Kraft Website)
Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Raisin Paste, Crushed Orange Puree, Spices and Herbs, Dried Garlic and Onion, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum
Doesn’t sound too appealing? Right? That’s why I was so excited to share this copycat recipe full of ingredients that won’t leave you scratching your head searching for the definition.
If you really want to avoid those unknown ingredients and want to upgrade the flavor of your steak sauce, then it’s worth the extra time to make this copycat A1 steak sauce recipe.
I searched the internet and found many A1 copycat recipes. After trying a bunch, this homemade A1 steak sauce recipe from Two Dogs In The Kitchen caught my eye and I had to try it. After trying it out, and tweaking the recipe just a bit, I feel like it’s pretty darn close to the old original!
Not only can it be prepped in 5 minutes or under, but it also takes only 20 minutes or less to cook. That’s less time than you would spend staring at the steak sauce shelf trying to decide which one to go with. So, clearly, the time spent prepping and making this homemade steak sauce is SO worth it.
Tips and Tricks For copycat A1 Steak Sauce
- If you’re having trouble finding gluten-free Worcestershire Sauce, there are two specific brands I recommend trying out: The Wizard Sauces, Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce, or WAN JA SHAN Organic Worcestershire Sauce. You can also feel free to use regular Worcestershire sauce if you aren’t worried about finding one that’s gluten-free.
- When straining, don’t forget your catcher bowl/cup! You don’t want to lose all of your sauce down the drain while separating it from the no longer needed ingredients.
- You’ll want to wait for the sauce to completely cool, to really get the full flavor. The flavors will change as it cools, so, even though it might be tough, try to refrain from taking those initial taste tests.
Love Steak Sauce? Try Paring it With These Recipes!
Get out of your traditional steak sauce pairings and try your homemade sauce on some of these unique pairings!
Homemade 5-Ingredient Steak Rub
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
You can make copycat A1 Steak Sauce with junk-free ingredients at home in no time! Homemade steak sauce that is delicious and easy!
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup gluten free Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup organic ketchup
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup organic raisins
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1/8 large yellow onion cut into chunks
- 1 small navel orange or 1/2 large orange, cut in half
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In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except for the orange.
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Squeeze the juice from the orange into the saucepan and then add in the juiced orange segments.
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Bring to a boil, lower light to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. At 5 minutes, remove orange segments and discard.
-
Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer (make sure to strain into a measuring cup or other container!).
Use a spoon or spatula to push all the liquid out of the chunky bits.
-
Return sauce to pan and bring back to a simmer. Reduce, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5 to 7 minutes or until level of thickness is reached.
Note that sauce tastes different when warm so let cool completely before adjusting spices. Enjoy!
Recipe Makes 1.5 Cups Steak Sauce or Approximately 24 Tablespoons. Serving Size is 2 Tablespoons (12 Servings)
- If you're having trouble finding gluten free Worcestershire Sauce, there are two specific brands I recommend trying out: The Wizard Sauces, Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce, or WAN JA SHAN Organic Worcestershire Sauce. You can also feel free to use regular Worcestershire sauce if you aren't worried about finding one that's gluten-free.
- When straining, don't forget your catcher bowl/cup! You don't want to lose all of your sauce down the drain while separating it from the no longer needed ingredients.
- You'll want to wait for the sauce to completely cool, to really get the full flavor. The flavors will change as it cools, so, even though it might be tough, try to refrain from taking those initial taste tests.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
UPDATE NOTES: This post was originally published in October 2013 and updated in June 2019 with new photos, better instructions and more helpful information.
Adapted From: Homemade A1 Steak Sauce From Two Dogs In The Kitchen
Scott says
Great recipe! Just wondering, but can you do this in a slow cooking on low?
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Scott, I wouldn’t recommend it as I do not think that the sauce would reduce properly in the moist heat slow cook environment.
Brandon says
Since there is so many different companies that make make the ingredients say like the ketchup since each different companies version will always taste a little different you could possibly have all kinds of A-1 hybrid sauces, each one good in their own right haha! I’m a major fan of A-1 sauce but but not a fan of the price so I am definitely going to try this recipe! Lol 🥩🤤
Alyssa Brantley says
So true Brandon!! My goal with this recipe was to get as close to commercially made A-1 (bought in the US) as I could. hope you love it!
Luke Randall says
Raisins really? that’s definitely where you lost me
Kitten's Kitchen says
Then you might check the ingredients on the better steak sauces, I know both A1 and lea & Perrins both use Raisins. Lea & Perrins also used Sardines as well.
Kitten's Kitchen says
Sorry Anchovies lol not Sardines.
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Luke, Raisin paste is a main ingredient in A1 Sauce.
Layla Makled says
I was pretty close in taste, but I didn’t get the thickness I wanted
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Layla, You can continue cooking longer to reduce it further next time.
Carol says
Have not yet made the sauce, but was wondering if you include the orange peel in the recipe. Was just wondering if that would enhance the flavor.
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Carol,
Yes, including the orange peel is in the instructions and it definitely enhances the flavor!
Wendy l Schmitt says
I did not have an orange and with where I live, I did not want to drive 20 minutes just to get an orange. BUT – I had some orange marmalade in the pantry and used about a quarter of a cup in the recipe and it worked out just fine! I was quite happy with the recipe ( lol including the raisins!)
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Wendy! That sounds like such a good swap – I’m so glad it worked out. Thanks so much for letting me know! 🙂
John says
Excellent recipie, thanks Alyssa
Have tried it with several modifications after the initial run for non steak meats. Also after removing the orange segments instead of straining we hit it with the emulsifier for 5 to 10 seconds. Our favorite modification is a peeled and pitted fresh peach and a jalapeno. We also like to add a teaspoon of jerk seasoning if we’re doing chicken. So good
Alyssa Brantley says
Thanks John! These mods sound amazing. I am 100000% adding some jalapeno and emulsifying next time. Happy Holidays 🙂
Eli says
When I made this (delicious btw) I got distracted and it boiled down pretty thick, should i be concerned about the vinegar evaporating? I didn’t try to store it or anything but I’m new to cooking due to new food allergies and am constantly concerned about botulism 🙁 my mistake would still be safe due to it being in a pot with no lid right?
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Eli, I am not sure about botulism or how overcooking would impact the storage. I would suggest making it again to the directions and storing in the fridge after cooling. Hope that helps!
Angela Weaver says
So you think you could can this, like water bath canning?
marcus says
When kept refridgerated, what’s the expected shelf life? Can anything be added to it as a natural preservative to help it go a little further?
Alyssa Brantley says
Hi Marcus! I have kept mine in the fridge (in a tightly covered mason jar) for up to a month with success and haven’t tried adding any preservatives. Hope that helps!
Holly says
I made this and it tastes really good! I was somewhat skeptical but it tastes close enough to the original A1 sauce and I can use it for other recipes too. Thanks so much for this.
Alyssa Brantley says
So happy to hear it Holly!! Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know 🙂
Tom L says
Pretty darn close but not exact. I guess the flavor of Ketchup or Dijon mustard varies by brand and that will determine if it is close or not. I think the orange flavor is definitely a must to try and replicate the A1 but the raisins or dates will make a difference too. Definitely a recommendation and keeper. Thanks
Alyssa Brantley says
Yes! I do think the raisins have a more authentic taste and the brand of ketchup really impacts! Glad you liked it Tom and thanks so much for the feedback 🙂