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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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
Filed Under
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)
I will try it
Easy to make an tastes awesome. I’ve used this on many different meats and everyone loves it.
Easy to make an tastes awesome. I’ve used this on many different meats and everyone loves it.
I’m so delighted to hear everyone loved this sauce, Bill! Thank you for sharing that with me.
Wow, I tasted it after just mixing the ingredients together and it is already so good!
The best barbecue sauce I’ve ever had! I sure will be making this from now on, no more store bought barbecue sauce for me.
Thank you so much for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Simone.
This is a delicious recipe as is! It is so much better that store bought and so easy! This recipe is also simple to use as a base to create other varieties and variations like a smoky flavor by adding soy sauce or coconut aminos, liquid smoke and/or smoked paprika and more garlic or a honey BBQ version by decreasing the brown sugar and vinegar and adding honey. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
How much do you reduce the brown sugar by for a honey bbq sauce?
Do you think I could can this bbq sauce ??
I have not canned this recipe to advise but you can check the “Make Ahead” part of the recipe for tips.
If I’m making pulled chicken in the crockpot with this sauce, do I need to cook it on the stove first or can I just toss it in the crockpot? I’m looking forward to making this tomorrow!
Hi Gillyann, I have this Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe you can follow for that. We use this sauce in it.
I just made this for the upcoming Superbowl party! This BBQ sauce tastes great! I added a bit of maple syrup to it. Thanks for this delicious recipe1
You’re very welcome!
Delicious! I added a tablespoon of honey and close to 1/2 tablespoon of crushed red chili flakes. Perfect sweet and spicy. Won’t be going back to store bought
That sounds amazing!
Can you sub white vinegar with the same amounts? We live out in the boonies and I just realized we’re all out of acv. Hoping to make this tonight without having to make the hour drive into town.
Hi Kate! That will work. White vinegar is sharper and more acidic so use a little less.
Absolutely dynamite! We’ve been ‘churching up’ store-bought BBQ sauce for years, but I thought I had a jar in the freezer and didn’t — needed sauce now. The Googler led me to your recipe and I’m so glad it did! I cut the water in half and added Jameson whiskey and red pepper flakes. Boy howdy, this is a winner. I’ll never buy store-brand sauce to doctor up again — this recipe is the bomb! Thanks so much for sharing it.
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you found this recipe. Thanks for sharing your variations.
Used this for bbq chicken pizza and it was just what I hoping for. I added a touch of one of my favorite hot sauces just for a little kick and perfecto!!
That perect way to add some heat.
I just made this for pulled pork in the crock pot, and it turned out AMAZING!! I will never buy store-bought BBQ sauce again! Thank you Natasha for the detailed instructions, and the little tips too! You were right about the vinegar being strong before you refrigerate the sauce, but it leveled out nicely. I made the recipe as written, and added Smoked Paprika. Delicious!
You’re so welcome! So happy that you loved it!
Needed BBQ sauce for dinner and it is too cold to venture out! Easy to make resulting in delicious flavor! Love the vinegar! I will be making this recipe from now on!
So glad you loved it!
Super easy to make. I used honey and maple syrup instead of the brown sugar. I’ll half the vinegar next time: it was a bit much. There isn’t a ton of flavor to the sauce. It tastes good, just isn’t that seasoned if that makes sense. I think I’ll add more seasonings next time too.
This BBQ sauce is outstanding. I love the acidic bite from the vinegar but will likely half the amount next time for my taste. Delicious!!!! Thanks for a great recipe.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the BBQ Sauce!
This sauce was an instant hit with my family. So good! Will be the new go-to for sure. Thank you!
It sounds like you found a new family favotire, Roxi! That’s so great.
This is the best BBQ sauce I have ever tasted. I used honey instead of brown sugar and I did add some ancho chili powder and cayenne pepper. Thank you for this and all of your recipes, they are spot on. My son who cannot eat commercial sauce was really happy that this was a huge success and that he can eat bbq again.
Tasty and simple. I think 4 garlic cloves is a bit much, though (unless you like really garlicky bbq sauce). I added 2 gloves and it was almost too much.
I used 6 cloves and think I should have added more. It’s for sure about taste 🙂
Thank you for sharing that with us, Charlotte!