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. This BBQ sauce is best when you let it rest for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Pro Tip: Right off the heat, the sauce will taste a little spicy and it will smell vinegary – this is normal. Once you refrigerate it, the flavors will meld and mellow out.
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. 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
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Hi! 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!
Did not have my favorite BBq sauce on hand, so I looked up homemade BBQ and your recipe came up! I know it had to be good since I have made or modified many of your other recipes! I modified this one a bit too! 🙂 I use “Simply ketchup” which has no corn fructose syrup and added honey (Mike’s Hot Honey) and my homemade adobo seasoning. It turned out to be a Sweet and Spicy (not very much heat) tangy BBq sauce! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
This bbq sauce is fantastic and even better the next day. So feel free to make ahead! Soooo yummy and very easy to make. I used all organic ingredients (mostly Susie’s brand).
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Linda!
Oddly enough I needed some BBQ sauce for Brunswick Stew of all things holy. I’m from Texas, my parents are from Louisiana and the Carolina’s. I love a good vinegary, smoky, slightly sweetened and certainly bold BBQ sauce. Stubbs is my usual supermarket bottle.
I made this with what I had on hand and if this isn’t the best sauce I’ve had in my house I’ll tell ya somethin….
I used 2 cups of ketchup, heavy on the Dijon as I’m out of French’s— closer to a 1/3 cup probably. 1/2 cup of Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar, full cup of dark brown sugar. Couple hits of soy sauce. Had garlic paste in the fridge and didn’t feel like peeling and chopping garlic at 5:30am so couple tablespoons of that. Added mustard powder and a little garlic powder in addition to the onion powder. Smoked paprika was the correct choice. Toasted some tri color peppercorns for a second and tossed in the mortar and pestle for a fragrant and bold bite.
Blended it in a few batches in the Ninja smoothie bullet attachment and simmered. Instead of water I rinsed my blender bottle with about 1/2 cup of orange juice (highly recommend).
Going to process the extra in some half pint mason jars for use in another stew or for next summer. Certainly saving this one. Thanks Natasha!
My husband is very particular about BBQ sauces & rubs. Well he loves it! No more searching around for a new recipe, this is the one.
Made it for chicken to be grilled and served at Labor Day party a few days ago. Received many compliments.
I’m so happy to hear this was a hit, Linda!
My family tried this recipe for our son who is following the 6th elimination food diet for EOE. He absolutely loved this barbeque sauce and said it was the best he ever tasted. Our whole family actually loves it. Amazing thank you.
I’m so happy you all enjoyed it, Kelly! Thank you for sharing.
I tried your bbq sauce a few days ago and absolutely brilliant thankyou so much Natasha
So glad you loved it, Jeanette!
Since commercial sauces contain high frutose corn syrup or corn syrup.Having gout you can not eat corn syrup based or high frutose corn syrup based products.I have been craving a bbq sauce that doesn’t have those ingredients in it. I started making my own bbq sauce and this one is a winner. Family can’t get enough of this sauce.
This sauce is off the charts! This rivals any BBQ sauce anywhere. Since I made this, no other sauce is even in the same class. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
This is my go to, with some amendments:
I add homemade Aji Amarillo chili powder (1tbsp) and substitute 1/2 of the water with Juice from my homemade cowboy candy (candied jalapeños). And yes, we do water bath and can it, test the ph and get it down below 4 and it should be good, has been for us. I’ve kept in on the shelf for 3-4 months.
I’m making a triple batch as I type!
It’s so much better then store bought.
I made pork ribs tonight and realized i had no BBQ sauce..Decided to look for a recipe and thought yours looked good.OMG its better than the organic Kinders we buy!!Thank you!!
Could I substitute beer for water or some other flavorful liquid?
Hi Jennifer, I imagine it would work. You may need to simmer it longer to thicken.
This is now the ONLY bbq sauce I will eat. We normally use on burgers but yesterday I used for pulled pork
..omg delicious!!!
Delicious! Can this be cooked in the microwave rather than stovetop?
Hi Cindy! I haven’t tried this in a microwave.
Depends on how badly you want to clean your microwave after 🙃
I haven’t tried this recipe but I have studied many a microwave cookbooks from the 70’s and 80’s and usually the sugar will burn before the water evaporates due to the nature of the microwave. You could, of course, cook at a lower power setting in the microwave however you’re unlikely to get the same amount of evaporation as you would on the stove. See previous comment about cleaning the microwave. By the time you’re done messing with the microwave you could have done two batches on the stove I’d guess.
I love this recipe. I’ve made it a few times.
This recipe is definitely husband approved; he told me to make sure I don’t lose it. Can I water bath can this and make it shelf stable?
So glad it was enjoyed! I haven’t tried canning this. I’m not sure what the food safety canning guidelines would be for this.
I would love to try canning as well. Have you had any luck with that?
I just canned this recipe last night. The ph level is low enough for water bathing. I water bathed pints for 20 minutes.
I am the primary caregiver for my wife who is a picky eater at best. I have cooked well over 50 of your recipes with NO additions and she loves them. I go to another recipe from another chef and she refuses to eat it saying,”I want it the way you cooked it before”. In a testament to you, you are my “go to” website for recipies.
That’s so amazing! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
THIS IS SO GOOD! Husband approved too. Thank you for sharing it!
So happy to hear that, Lisa!