Homemade BBQ Sauce

This Homemade BBQ Sauce is thick, sweet, smoky and a little spicy! It’s big on flavor and pairs well with chicken, pork, beef or anything on your grill! Full step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.

A good recipe for Homemade BBQ Sauce is, in my opinion, the ultimate summer accessory.

I know I’m being biased here, but I think this recipe makes the best barbecue sauce around — it’s sweet and tangy and rich and has the perfect amount of kick! 

Like any worthwhile condiment, this sauce can take an already impressive meal and make it even better. It can also elevate everyday ingredients, turning them into something truly special.

I mean, is there any other condiment that says summer as much as a delicious homemade BBQ sauce?

I can’t think of one, either.

I love this barbecue sauce because it requires about 5 minutes active prep time

The recipe calls for a handful of pantry staples like brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and tomato sauce, but I’ve also given you suggestions for making a sugar-free barbecue sauce as well as a few small tweaks to make the sauce just the way you like it.

If you have leftover BBQ sauce I’ve given you lots of tasty ideas for using it up, or you can store it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week. 

When the weather is warm, this homemade bbq sauce doesn’t last long around here!

If you aren’t in the mood to grill outdoors, you can use it in two of my favorite “indoor barbecue” recipes: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken and Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs.

BBQ Sauce ingredients:

• Brown sugar: depending on what you have available, you can use light or dark brown sugar in this recipe (dark brown sugar will add a more pronounced molasses flavor to the finished barbecue sauce). 
• Tomato sauce: crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce add a mild, fruity sweetness and texture to this barbecue recipe. If you’re using a commercially prepared tomato sauce look for a brand without added sugar.
• Apple cider vinegar: the addition of apple cider vinegar helps cut the sweetness of the barbecue sauce without overpowering the other ingredients. 
• Worcestershire sauce: this flavor-packed fermented condiment adds depth and plenty of umami/savory flavor to BBQ sauce. 
• Liquid smoke: this ingredient is optional, but I find it really brings the finished sauce together and creates a smoky flavor on or off the grill. 
• Spices: paprika, salt, and pepper season the barbecue sauce while bringing all the flavors together.

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How to make sugar-free and naturally sweetened Barbecue Sauce:

You can use any of the following sweeteners in place of the brown sugar, keeping in mind that these substitutions will alter the taste of the final barbecue sauce. 

• ⅔ cup of agave nectar 
• 1 cup of honey
• ⅔ cup of maple syrup
• 1 cup of coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon of powdered or liquid Stevia extract

Variations on this BBQ Sauce recipe:

• You can make a vegan version of this barbecue sauce by using a vegan brand of Worcestershire sauce.
• Make a spicy sauce by stirring in a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
• Use orange juice in place of apple cider vinegar for a fruity twist — add 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest for even more citrus flavor. 
• Make a gluten-free barbecue sauce by choosing a gluten-free brand of liquid smoke.

Ways to use this barbecue sauce:

• With grilled chicken, pork, or beef
• Use in place of tomato sauce on homemade pizza 
• Drizzle on nachos topped with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and sweet peppers
• As a sauce and glaze for barbecued ribs
• As a dipping sauce for chicken fingers and pizza
• As a condiment for hot dogs and hamburgers

You can also use my Easy Homemade Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce and Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce for any of these suggestions!

Having a barbecue? Try these easy sides:

• Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
• Homemade Creamed Corn
• Instant Pot Baked Beans
• Best Homemade Coleslaw

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Homemade BBQ Sauce

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 11 votes

This Homemade BBQ Sauce is thick, sweet, smoky and a little spicy! It's big on flavor and pairs well with chicken, pork, beef or anything on your grill!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Sauces and Condiments

Servings 16 servings

Calories 60cal

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar packed
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (1 398ml can)
• ▢ 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, but recommended)
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

US Customary – Metric

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Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer over medium high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer until thickened, about 20-30 minutes or more (you'll be able to see on the side of the pot that the sauce has reduced as the starting line will be higher)
• Cool to room temperature or serve hot with grilled chicken, pork or beef.
• Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Notes

*1 serving size is 2 tablespoons

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 60cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Keywords barbecue sauce, bbq sauce

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