Barbecued Cornish Hens

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1-1/4 hours

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
I came up with this recipe when I was just a teenager and have made it quite often since then. —Diane Widmer, Blue Island, Illinois

Ingredients

  • 4 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons steak sauce
  • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

  1. Rub Cornish hens with butter; sprinkle salt and pepper inside cavity and over skin. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Baste hens with sauce. Bake 45 minutes longer or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180°, basting frequently.