Homemade BBQ Sauce

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Using common ingredients, you can easily create a batch of the best Homemade BBQ Sauce! This tangy and savory sauce is perfect for pairing with grilled chicken, ribs, pork chops, to use as a dipping sauce, and more!

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Combine a handful of common ingredients to make your very own barbecue sauce. This classic sauce will quickly become a family favorite, and you can control the flavors to make the perfect sauce to taste!

Why This Recipe Works

Making a batch of your homemade BBQ sauce is super easy and only takes a couple of steps. You can easily control the texture and flavor of your BBQ sauce, and even add other ingredients to make it your own.

Sweet, tangy, savory, and a little smoky, you'll love using this homemade sauce as a dip with chicken nuggets or chicken tenders, to add flavor to baked beans, or to use in any recipe that asks for BBQ sauce like a Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Flatbread or Baked Boneless Beef Ribs.

Ingredients Needed

Labeled ingredients for homemade BBQ sauce on a white marble counter.

Ketchup: Provides the perfect tomato base for a tasty BBQ sauce.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a nice amount of complex sweetness. You could also use dark brown sugar if you prefer.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Makes the sauce tangy and gives it a bit of acidic bite.
Yellow Mustard: Gives your sauce a crisp and pungent flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce: For some nice savory umami taste.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika are all you need to support all of the other ingredients in this sauce.

How to Make This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Steps 1 and 2 for making homemade barbecue sauce.

Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan or medium pot over medium high heat.
Step 2: Mix well, then bring to a boil and reduce the temperature to low. Simmer the sauce until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture has thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.

A silicone brush covered in homemade barbecue sauce.

Recipe Tips

Be sure to taste the sauce before you finish up. Adjust the amount of salt and pepper as needed.
Other ingredients that can be used to enhance the flavor of homemade barbecue sauce include honey, maple syrup, soy sauce, and garlic cloves.
Store any leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Keep it in an airtight container or a mason jar.
This sauce can also be frozen for 3 months or so. I recommend keeping it in a zip-top bag--press out any excess air for best results. Allow the sauce to thaw before using it, and if you're in a pinch you can quickly thaw it in a bowl of warm water.
Feel free to double or triple this recipe if you know you'll be using a lot of BBQ sauce for cooking.
Give your homemade barbecue sauce an even smokier flavor by adding some liquid smoke.
Make your sauce a bit thinner by adding a tablespoon or two of water.

Brushing grilled chicken with homemade barbecue sauce.

Recipe FAQ's

What exactly is barbecue sauce?

Also sometimes called BBQ sauce or Bar-B-Cue sauce, this tangy, savory, and slightly sweet tomato sauce is a staple when it comes to grilling meats or dipping finger foods like chicken wings or french fries.

Is it worth it to make your own BBQ sauce?

Yes, the ingredients are commonplace and easy to find and making your own sauce means you know exactly what goes in it! It's a bit healthier than the kind of sauce you'll find on the shelves at grocery stores and you can adjust the flavors to your preference.

Is this a spicy BBQ sauce?

As is, this homemade barbecue sauce is mild and doesn't have much heat to it. You can add other ingredients for some spice like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, or you could even add a couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a little kick.

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