This sweet-and-savory Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe tastes so much better than store-bought, and it’s cheaper too. Best of all, you can make it with better ingredients and fewer preservatives. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is.
If you love homemade sauce recipes like Classic Pesto, and Tartar Sauce, this BBQ Sauce will be a new favorite.
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We’re always looking for ways to save money by making our own sauces and condiments, and when those money-saving recipes also end up tasting better than the original, it’s definitely a win. There’s just something so satisfying about making your own kitchen staples like BBQ sauce, hummus, and marinara.
Homemade BBQ Sauce Video
Watch Natasha make homemade barbecue sauce, then grab the ingredients below and give it a try.
Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
This homemade BBQ sauce is the best I’ve ever had, and I’d put it up against any store-bought BBQ sauce—it’s just that good. It’s perfectly seasoned, sweet without being too sweet, and it can be easily customized to your liking. Here’s why you will love this recipe:
- Easy – Once you mix all the ingredients in a saucepan, this recipe is pretty hands-off. Just let it simmer until it’s nice and thick, stirring occasionally.
- Delicious – It’s literally the best BBQ sauce, with the perfect balance of flavors.
- Healthier – Okay, barbecue sauce isn’t exactly a health food, but when you make it from scratch, you can skip the preservatives, corn syrup, and artificial flavors.
- Versatile – Whether you use it as a sauce for Instant Pot Ribs, a topping for a burger, or a marinade for grilled chicken, you’ll have plenty of ways to use this sauce.
We love making sauces and condiments from scratch, from Easy Hollandaise Sauce to Tzatziki Sauce. If you do too, then you’ll want to save this homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Tomato ketchup – Use any brand you like.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is the classic choice for homemade barbecue sauce, but white vinegar will work in a pinch.
- Worcestershire sauce – This adds irresistible umami flavor to balance out the sweet, savory, and acidic flavors in the recipe. It’s a must.
- Light brown sugar – Dark brown sugar has a more pronounced molasses flavor than light; you can use it in this recipe, but the flavor of the finished sauce will be different.
- Yellow mustard – The kind you put on hot dogs is just fine here.
- Paprika – Sweet or smoked paprika will work in this recipe.
- Onion powder – Onion powder is a fantastic way to add lots of savory flavor to a recipe without loading it with actual pieces of onion.
- Ground black pepper – Grind this fresh, if you can.
- Garlic cloves – We use 4 garlic cloves here to make the BBQ sauce extra delicious.
- Water – You could use chicken stock if you happen to have some on hand.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
When I say this recipe is easy, I really mean it. There are only two steps involved:
- Simmer – Place all of the ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Season – Taste the sauce and season to taste. You can add more sugar, spices, or salt at this point. Remove from heat and use the sauce right away or store it.
Pro Tip: Right off the heat, the sauce will taste a little spicy and it will smell vinegary. Once you refrigerate it, the flavors will meld and mellow.
Common Questions
Barbecue sauce is one of those kitchen staples that can be used in a number of ways, including marinating meat, dipping, topping, and basting. It typically has a tomato base and a flavor that’s sweet and a little bit spicy.
This is a mild sauce. It has a hint of spice when tasted right off the stove but mellows out even further when applied to grilled meats.
You can use an equal amount of dijon mustard or substitute it with 1 tablespoon of mustard powder.
I recommend an everyday kind of ketchup. There’s no need to spend extra money on gourmet ketchup when you’re using it to make barbecue sauce since you’ll be adding so many of your own seasonings.
Yes, you can double the recipe. Keep in mind that it will need to simmer longer in order to thicken.
Add cayenne pepper to taste if you want to make a spicy barbecue sauce.
Serve BBQ Sauce with
My family loves this homemade barbecue sauce in and with:
- Grilled Steak
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Pulled Pork
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Barbecued Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Ribs
Make-Ahead
You don’t need a fancy bottle for your BBQ sauce; a glass Mason jar is perfect (or empty jam jars, which is what I used), or you can even store it in an airtight plastic container.
- To Refrigerate: Store homemade BBQ sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag; press out the excess air and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Thaw: Frozen barbecue sauce can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before using, or if you’re in a time crunch, you can place the sealed freezer bag in a bowl of warm water to thaw it faster.
Once you try this homemade BBQ sauce recipe, you’ll never buy store-bought again.
More Homemade Condiments and Sauces
If you love this Homemade BBQ Sauce, then you won’t want to miss these sauce recipes.
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Horseradish Sauce
- Pizza Sauce
- Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe
- White Pizza Sauce (Quick & Easy)
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups tomato ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp paprika or to taste
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
- Add more sugar or seasonings to taste if desired, then remove from heat. Cool completely to room temperature then cover and store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.*
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
My Dad made this and it is FANTASTIC! Really great sauce!!!
So happy to hear it was enjoyed, Amy!
Loved the sauce, doubled up on the brown sugar and I thought it really kicked a..Mine doesn’t freeze, why is that?
You should be able to make this recipe ahead and freeze it. Freezing: Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag; press out the excess air and freeze for up to 3 months.
To Thaw: Frozen barbecue sauce can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before using, or if you’re in a time crunch, you can place the sealed freezer bag in a bowl of warm water to thaw it faster.
For our taste there was way too much garlic. I’ll cut to one or two cloves or a tsp powdered garlic.
I am a huge barbecue fan……..This recipe is now my go to barbecue sauce recipe. I cook the meat over wood (not charcoal), and then have it finish cooking in the oven, slathered in this homemade barbecue sauce. It is super easy, and very delicious. If you want to completely get away from corn syrup, you can buy organic ketchup, or try making your own ketchup. Thanks for this fabulous recipe. It is truly excellent.
You are so welcome, Jay! Thank you for the feedback.
Husband & I enjoyed this recipe but we both agreed that it doesn’t taste like a bbq sauce…well, at least bbq sauce as we think of it. We did enjoy it on meatballs and served as an appetizer. Will still keep it in my recipe files.
I love this recipe! I often add different fruits and bourbon to it depending on what flavor I need. I’ve used peaches, oranges, blackberries. Just a couple slices with skins on. Great flavor and thickens right up.
I use all the time not just chicken beef but also for chicken pizza
Hello from Mexico! Last night was my third time making this sauce with the only exception being adding a tsp of cayenne pepper during the last 10 minutes of cooking.It is a perfect compliment with smoked baby back ribs and pork butt. It is sweet, spicy, and yummy!
That sounds great, Karen! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Really love this recipe. I added some Calabrian peppers, which gave it some kick
Just curious to know why it is only ok in the fridge for upto 2 weeks?
Hi Dan! I’ve had it last for longer personally but I based my recommendations on thorough online research. I couldn’t find a reasonable explanation but 2 weeks is definitely a safe range. If you do keep it for longer, another way to gauge is to watch for any signs of spoilage and discard if you notice anything off.
This is my goto BBQ sauce recipe. I rarely buy sauce in the store anymore. I sometimes substitute smoked paprika in to give it a little bit of the smoky flavor.
Simple no frills recipe. Works like a charm
Very easy and very good!! Will be making again!
This was delicious! I will never buy store bought barbecue sauce again!
Hi Renee! I’m so happy you loved this recipe.
I’m sure I followed directions exactly but to me it just tasted like ketchup. I had to add more seasoning and simmer a little longer. It ended up good enough. I would try the recipe again maybe with different ketchup.
I had the same experience. Wasted a lot of product. I was already thinking to myself 1 and 1/2 cups of ketchup? That’s ridiculous, but I trusted the recipe and it was straight up ketchup.
Great recipe. I make a triple batch and pressure can it! Works perfectly every time. Also, a little liquid smoke, diced onion and some red pepper flakes really elevate this sauce!
This is so good!! So much better than store bought. I can’t wait to smother my ribs with this deliciousness
NATASHA!!!!!!! Girl is there anything you can’t make?!?!? Every recipe I have you from you (3 years now, started with baklava ) as been spot on perfection!!! You are so very appreciated!!!!!!
Hi Diane! Thank you so much. I’m glad you’re loving the recipes!
Yum . Perfect to put on pork roast left overs . Chop up and place on a skillet with the sauce and warm up