This sweet-and-savory Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is perfect for marinating meat, dipping, topping, and basting. It 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 my video tutorial and see how easy it is.
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Helpful Reader Review
“I have made this BBQ sauce 3-4 times now (making it right now 🙂 …so easy….and so delicious! I always have some in my fridge! Thanks for the recipe!” – Marie ★★★★★
Homemade BBQ Sauce Video
In almost every case, I have found that homemade condiments taste better than store-bought – fresher, better ingredients, with just the right amount of sweetness, and you can adjust them to your preferences. This homemade BBQ sauce is definitely a win. Watch my easy video tutorial, then grab your ingredients and give this homemade sauce a try.
Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe
There’s just something so satisfying about making your own kitchen staples like BBQ sauce, Classic Pesto, Tartar Sauce, and Marinara. 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.
It’s also versatile; whether you use it as a sauce for Instant Pot Ribs, a topping for Hamburgers, or a marinade for grilled chicken, you’ll have plenty of ways to use this sauce. You’ll want to save this homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Ketchup – Use any brand you like. I prefer the ones without high fructose corn syrup.
- 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.
- Seasonings – add sweet or smoked Paprika, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic cloves – We use 4 garlic cloves here to make the BBQ sauce extra delicious.
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. This BBQ sauce is best when you let it rest for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Natasha’s Pro Tip:
Right off the heat, the sauce will taste a little spicy, and it will smell more potent and vinegary – this is normal. Once you refrigerate it, the flavors will meld and mellow out.
Pro Tip for Doubling the Recipe:
You can easily double the recipe. Keep in mind that it will need to simmer longer in order to thicken.
Serve Homemade BBQ Sauce with
My family loves this homemade barbecue sauce on grilled meats, but it’s also great for so many other dishes. It also keeps well, so I keep a jar of it in my refrigerator during grilling season.
- Grilled Steak
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Pulled Pork
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Barbecued Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Ribs
This homemade BBQ sauce is simple to make and so much better than store-bought. Keep a jar in the fridge for brushing over grilled chicken, ribs, Smash Burgers, or using as a dipping sauce for everything from fries to chicken tenders.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
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, or Dijon (or 1 Tbsp mustard powder)
- 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. You can use it right away for grilling, but the BBQ sauce will taste best with a 1-hour rest in the refrigerator before use.*
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
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More Homemade Condiments and Sauces
If you love this Homemade BBQ Sauce, then you won’t want to miss these sauce recipes.
- Easy Hollandaise Sauce
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Horseradish Sauce
- Pizza Sauce
- Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe
- White Pizza Sauce (Quick & Easy)
Plan to make this in a few days time. I’m wondering if home made tomato sauce would also work rather than ketchup from the store??
Hi Linda! I think it could work with some adjustments. Ketchup is thicker, sweeter, and already seasoned (with sugar, vinegar, and spices). You could add some tomato paste to the sauce to thicken it, and add some honey/sugar and spices to it. I would even simmer it for a bit so it thickens and the flavors meld.
Thanks for your reply Natasha, much appreciated.