Apple City barbecue sauce

Makes 3 cups

With this recipe, Mike Mills won the Grand Sauce Award at the Jack Daniel's World Championship International Barbecue Cook-Off in 1992. It is smooth and on the thin side, and it seeps into the meat.

1 cup ketchup 2/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar 1/2 cup apple juice or cider 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/3 cup bacon bits, ground in a spice grinder 1/3 cup peeled and grated apple 1/3 cup grated onion 2 teaspoons grated green bell pepper 1. In a large saucepan, combine the ketchup, rice vinegar, apple juice or cider, cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy or Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, white pepper, cayenne, and bacon bits. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the apple, onion, and bell pepper.