This Easy Homemade Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce is sweet, sticky, and great on grilled chicken, beef, pork, or just about anything! Quit the store-bought and make your own homemade barbecue sauce — it’s easier and much tastier than you think. It’s also perfect for making Dr. Pepper pulled pork!
Sweet & Sticky Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
Here’s something you probably didn’t need to know, but I’m sharing anyway: I don’t really drink pop. Coke, Pepsi, Root Beer, Dr. Pepper… things like that, I have never liked and never drank except when I was young, when any soda felt like a treat.
But lately I’ve been enjoying cooking with pop. I made this Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham with some Ginger Ale, and it came out fantastic. The soda creates an incredibly sticky glaze and adds a punch of sweetness to any meal.
I’m gearing up for alllll sorts of barbecue fun (like The Best Burgers), so I thought I’d let my man pick a flavor to go with. That’s how we ended up making this Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce — rich, tangy, and perfectly caramelized for a bold, flavorful finish.
Reader Rating
“Made this today to try for my birthday. Awesome. Has a good, sweet flavor. There is nothing wrong with this recipe. Usually in recipes using soda, I lose the soda flavor and retain the sweetness. Not here. I could still taste the DP in the sauce. ❤️ Good with fries, great on chicken. Thanks for this. Been trying a lot of recipes using DP, and this one is going into my family recipe book. Cannot wait until it warms up and my grill comes out.” – Marz Workman
Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Dr. Pepper: If you’d rather swap out Coke or Root Beer, the sauce will work equally as well with those; it will just (obviously) taste a little different.
- Tomato paste: Make sure you use tomato paste, not sauce — the paste has a stronger, richer flavor.
- White vinegar: If you don’t have white vinegar, you can substitute apple cider vinegar for a slightly different taste.
- Brown sugar: I prefer dark brown sugar for a richer flavor, but light brown sugar works too.
- Worcestershire sauce: A key ingredient for that tangy, savory flavor.
- Liquid Smoke (optional): If you like a smokier sauce, a few drops of this will do wonders!
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Add a pinch for a little extra heat.
Top 3 Tips for Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
- Use a deep pan to prevent splatter, as the sauce will bubble up while simmering.
- Make sure you’re whisking your BBQ sauce frequently, especially toward the end. As the sauce thickens, it can stick and burn easily along the edges and bottom.
- To test the thickness of your sauce, drizzle a little on a chilled plate and tilt it. If it moves slowly, it’s ready. But don’t worry too much — will thicken further as it cools.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
This Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce is perfect for all sorts of BBQ staples. My Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs are a personal favorite, but you also can’t beat slathering it on some Grilled Chicken Thighs or using it as a dipping sauce for Crock Pot Pulled Pork. Whatever you’re making, this BBQ sauce is sure to take it to the next level.
How to Store Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
This barbecue sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. If you want to make a larger batch to use throughout the summer, you can always store any excess in the freezer for 3–6 months.
Easy Homemade Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 355ml can Dr. Pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pan with a whisk.
- Turn the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer, whisking often. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until thickened.
- Serve with pork, chicken, beef, or almost anything! Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Ben C says
Made this today. It was quite tasty as is, but just a little too sweet and tangy for my personal preference on tonight’s dinner (but still delicious!). I added 2T Dijon, 1T worcheshire, and a little paprika… now just waiting on the ribs to be done. Mmm Dr Pepper!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing Ben! The Dijon will definitely add to the tang 🙂
Sassysunshine says
How big of a mason jar is needed for one batch?
Ashley Fehr says
A 500ml jar should be sufficient
Dustin says
Trying the recipe now. It smells amazing. Tweaked it a little with some kitchen bouquet, just to darken it a little.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Dustin! Hope you enjoyed it!
Lori says
I want to try this on chick wings tomorrow. Any tips on how to give it a little kick so it’s sweet and spicy.
Ashley Fehr says
I would add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes while the sauce is cooking!
Sean says
Delicious sauce! I subbed Pecan Rum for the water, Apple Cider vinegar for white vinegar, left out the liquid smoke, and cut back on the red pepper. Amazing. Thank you so much.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad! Thanks for sharing your swaps!
Amanda says
Has anybody made this without the liquid smoke? Does it alter the flavor much? It’s he only ingredient I don’t have on hand regularly…
Cheryl says
I made this sauce for ribs today. Did not add smoke, as I did not want a Smokey flavor. Also, did not add the chili flakes, but made it with all of the other ingredients. This was wonderful! It is sweet and tasty. Now, it is not a tomatoey sauce, which we enjoyed for a change. Will make again!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Cheryl! I’m so glad!
Camille Wilding says
Im wanting to make this for my husband as part of a gift. If I seal it after its freshly made do I need to put it in the fridge right away or would it be okay to be out a couple days at room temp wrapped up?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Camille! Unfortunately I don’t know the pH level of the sauce, so I can’t say whether it would be safe at room temperature. I would refrigerate it just to be safe.
Robert says
I believe that if your jars/lids/bands and sauce are hot and you seal immediately turning jars upside down for 10 min then upright to cool, you should be fine if left out for a few days. Refrigerate after opening.
Gene Gick says
Has anyone thought of adding bourbon to this sauce, maybe in place of the water?
David says
Made your sauce this weekend to go along with a brisket I smoked for a church potluck this past weekend. Got a ton of great reviews! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Donald Hayes says
So easy to make and I had everything in my pantry!
Ashley Fehr says
So glad you liked it!
Marz Workman says
Made this today to try for my birthday. Awesome. Has a good, sweet flavor. There is nothing wrong with this recipe. Usually in recipes using soda, I loose the soda flavor and retain the sweetness. Not here. I could still taste the DP in the sauce. ❤️ Good with fries, great on chicken. Thanks for this. Been trying a lot of recipes using DP, and this one is going into my family recipe book. Cannot wait until it warms up and my grill comes out.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Marz!
Marilyn K. says
I personally think Dr Pepper tastes like cough medicine. Does the sauce come out tasting strongly of it? And also, at the moment I don’t have any tomato paste, it is possible to substitute ketsup and if so, approximately how much?
Ashley Fehr says
If you don’t like the taste of Dr. Pepper I would use something else — maybe Coke or Root Beer. You can definitely substitute ketchup for the tomato pasta but keep in mind that it will alter the flavor considerably as ketchup has vinegar, sugar, and other things already in it.
Amy Shelton says
My daughter absolutely loves “Chili’s” Dr Pepper bbq sauce. Unfortunately they don’t sell it in the store. She’s a super picky eater, but she ate a whole boneless pork rib made with this sauce. She asked me if I could make more so she could use it for other foods. Hey, what ever works.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad she liked it!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Girlfriend, YES!!! I’m smitten with this bbq sauce. Dr. Pepper is my absolute favorite soda. I bet it’s fantastic in this sauce!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! We loved it!
ColleenB.~Texas says
Will be making Large batches of this, putting in freezer containers / jars and storing in the freezer. Making at least a gallon or more of this for large BBQ gathering coming up in June for our 47th anniversary.
Thanks for the recipe. Will be heading off to the store to buy a few cases of soda :}
I just might make some using beer in place of the soda
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea! Let me know how it goes over!
ColleenB.~Texas says
The BBQ Sauce made with beer was a Big hit
Ashley Fehr says
So glad to hear that!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
I’m definitely not a soda drinker either, but I could SO get behind Dr. Pepper hanging out in my BBQ sauce! I mean, this sauce is EXACTLY what my grilled chicken is missing!! That is, if I don’t eat it all straight from the jar with a spoon. 😉
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! That is the problem! Thanks Sarah 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I don’t drink much pop, either! I used to drink it growing up, but I quit about 10 years ago. Now, I usually drink water (and coffee, of course). Occasionally though, I do get a craving and drink diet cherry Dr. Pepper lol. This bbq sauce sounds like it was made for me. I love the ease of this recipe and have a feeling I would spread this on just about everything!
Ashley Fehr says
Every once in a while I need my fix, otherwise — I leave it alone! Coffee is my drug of choice these days too 😉 Thanks Gayle!
Lyn Brown says
In an effort to save you from a crowd of irate Texans (and they’re a rowdy bunch), just thought I’d warn you that the “doctor” in Dr Pepper doesn’t have a period. Hope this news saves you from some verbal cuts and bruises! 🙂
Seriously, the BBQ sauce sounds wonderful, especially the news that it will keep for a couple of months in the refrigerator.
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! My apologies! I can’t say I’m a regular Dr Pepper drinker so I’m glad you’re here to keep me informed 😉
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I like making my own sauces, salad dressings and spice blends because I know exactly what is in them! So often store bought items contain excess sugars and salt and things I can’t even pronounce! Plus it is usually less expensive to create your own! I will be trying this soon! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, that’s so true! I like to make my own too when I can find the time! Let me know how it goes Dorothy!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Dr. Pepper in the BBQ sauce?! this is brilliant!!!! LOVE this!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Alice!