Perfectly simple, and 100% delicious, this Homemade BBQ Sauce is so easy you’ll never want to buy store-bought barbeque sauce again
Quickly make your own BBQ sauce with (mostly) basic pantry staples. It only takes 15 minutes from start to finish to create a big, sweet, sassy sauce!
We love to slather this sauce on EVERYTHING including our fall-off-the-bone Oven Baked Ribs, Slow Cooker Ribs, Oven Baked Chicken Wings, and Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
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Ingredients Needed
The beauty of homemade sauce is that you know what’s in it and it’s a great way to steer clear of added preservatives. Even the best grocery store sauces have high fructose corn syrup. This zesty sauce is prepped in 5 minutes!
You don’t need a lot of ingredients or a secret ingredient for the best BBQ sauce.
For the full recipe, ingredient quantities, and nutritional information refer to the printable recipe card below.
- Ketchup – this is the tomato base for the sauce
- Molasses – we like unsulphered molasses, and use it in our Easy Baked Beans too. It adds sweetness but also a warm, earthy, and slightly smokey flavor. If needed, substitute maple syrup which will lend a lighter flavor, no smokiness, and produce a sweeter sauce.
- Dark Brown Sugar – adds a caramel note to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – gives the sauce a slightly fruity and tangy flavor that pairs well with the smoky savory elements of barbecue sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce – you could substitute soy sauce if needed
- Spices: chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper
- Garlic – freshly minced (garlic powder works in a pinch)
- Cayenne Pepper or Hot Sauce – optional, if you want medium heat in your sauce
- Liquid Smoke – an optional ingredient if you want a bigger smoky barbecue sauce. (We don’t use it but that’s just our personal taste)
How to make Homemade BBQ Sauce
This is an easy one-pan sauce that takes so little time and comes together quickly.
- In a medium saucepan whisk together all of the ingredients: ketchup, molasses, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and if using, add liquid smoke and/or hot sauce.
- Once blended cook over medium heat until the sauce comes to a simmer. (Taste to see if you want to add more hot sauce or cayenne for a spicy BBQ sauce).
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Uncover, whisk, cover, and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes or until the sauce reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
- Remove from the heat, whisk again, and use right away, or let the sauce cool if using later.
- Brush it on everything!
- Makes about 2 cups of sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
- This sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw frozen sauce in refrigerator before using. (The next time you make a batch of pulled pork or pulled chicken it’s ready to go!)
- Once the sauce is cooled to room temperature put it in an airtight container or a tightly sealed glass mason jar
- This homemade barbeque sauce recipe can be rewarmed over low heat before using it.
You can “water bath can” your own homemade BBQ sauce
- Water bath canning is a simple process that can extend the life of your BBQ sauce for future use. It also makes a wonderful homemade gift idea.
- Notes for canning BBQ sauce: Place jars in hot water. Heat to medium-high, place the lid over the canning pot and bring water to a rolling boil. Process pint jars for 20 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Refer to the full instructions on our step-by-step process for Water Bath Canning.
- Sauce can be stored in a cool, dark space for up to 6 months.
Variations and substitution ideas
- Use maple syrup instead of molasses
- Love a sweet sauce? Skip the hot sauce or cayenne
- Instead of Worcestershire sauce use soy sauce or coconut aminos
- If you use light brown sugar the sauce will still be delicious but a bit lighter in flavor
- For a smoky BBQ sauce add liquid smoke or blackstrap molasses
Best ways to use this easy BBQ sauce
Like all great recipes, this Kansas City-style sauce has many great uses!
- Perfect on any kind of beef or pork ribs
- Great on BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Makes a delicious dipping sauce for french fries or chicken wings
- Slather it on a pork tenderloin, pork chops, or chicken
Chef’s Tip on BBQ Brushes: Use separate brushes for your barbecue needs because they tend to retain some of the smokey flavor. (You don’t want your pastries or garlic bread to taste like BBQ!). We like a wooden handled brush with natural bristles or a silicone brush.
Other great sauces and rubs for meats
- This zesty Dry Rub for Ribs is a great first layer of flavor that pairs well with this sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce is a reader favorite and is also ready in just 15 minutes
- Pork and chicken always taste better with Sweet Chili Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce is an easy, fresh, herb-flavored sauce that works with chicken and steak
- Classic Italian Gremolata Sauce is made with fresh lemon zest, parsley, and minced garlic. It’s a great topping for vegetables, steak, and seafood.
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Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup molasses
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan stir together all of the ingredients: ketchup, molasses, dark brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and if using, liquid smoke and cayenne/hot sauce.
- Heat over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 5 minutes on a low simmer, stir, cover again and, cook another 7-8 minutes, or until thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir, and use immediately.If not using right away, cool the BBQ Sauce to room temperature, pour it into a sealed glass container, and store it for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of BBQ Sauce
- Want it spicier? Add a little more cayenne
Justine
I swear homemade BBQ sauce just can’t be beat. Delicious!
Kushigalu
Homemade sauces are always the best. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe.
Carrie Robinson
Homemade BBQ sauce is always the best! 🙂 Going to have to try this recipe soon.
Nikki
This quick and easy BBQ sauce is perfect for all my BBQ needs.
Beth
This sauce looks and sounds so good. I always prefer making my own sauce for my BBQ recipes over buying it at the store. I can’t wait to try your recipe!