The best smoky BBQ marinade

Homemade barbecue sauce tastes so much better than anything you can buy in a bottle. Coffee adds a rich roasted flavour to this sweet, smoky and tangy barbecue marinade.

• Why it’s so good: This smoky BBQ marinade is seriously versatile. Try it on steaks, ribs, sausages, smoking joints, firm tofu and a range of veg, from wedges of cabbage or cauliflower to chunks of peppers or courgettes.
• Make ahead: The marinade will keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
• Versatile sauce: If you forget to get ahead with your marinating, you can use the marinade as a glaze while cooking instead. Season and lightly coat the meat or veg in oil, then put some of the marinade in a pan on the cooler side of the barbecue, brushing it over your ingredients (after a short initial grilling) at regular intervals until cooked. Or, if you’re cooking indoors in a pan, add to the pan to simmer around the meat and baste with the glaze. The simmered marinade can be served alongside as a sauce.

Make it your most delicious summer yet, with our complete collections of barbecue recipes and side dishes.