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
This recipe is the bomb!! I love it, I love all your recipes 😍
Thank you, Anna!
Thanks for the easy recipe! I’m looking to make enough to keep on hand. Have you canned the BBQ sauce? If so, has it been successful?
Hi Maria! I have not tried canning this to advise.
So very good! Will be my go to from now on!! Used spicy brown mustard. Just the right amount of kick and vinegar. Love this recipe.
So happy to hear that, Cindy! I’m glad you found a go-to recipe.
How long does it take for the sourness to tone down? I tried it on the stovetop and it’s super sour!
Hi Amber, let it meld and rest in the refrigerator and the sourness tones down naturally. The resting period is important.
Thx Natasha
I used organic ketchup
And added chilli flakes
Kids liked it too
You’re welcome, Ricardo! I’m glad it was enjoyed!
This was really nice, all my family loved it, I made some to give them, but not enough!
Will double recipe next time, thank you
I’m so glad this was a hit with your family, Julie! That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
This was an okay recipe but similar to some other commenters, it was far too sour. I’m wondering if it changes depending on the ketchup, etc? Regardless it wasn’t a favorite.
Hi Jodi, refrigerate and store it for a bit and the flavors will mellow out. You’ll notice the sour from the vinegar will tone down significantly.
Hubby pronounced this BBQ sauce a winner. I used chicken stock instead of water and a little less than what it called for. I doubled the recipe as we were having a huge amount of chicken wings which needed sauce. Usually I make my own ketchup, but I had some good quality ketchup in the pantry and lots of other things to make, so took the easy route. Didn’t have regular mustard, but lots of Dijon, so used that. I definitely will use this recipe again. Thanks for sharing it.
You’re very welcome. Sandi! I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
Super easy and tasty! I literally had everything on hand, it worked great to have on the side with pigs in a blanket!
That’s great, AB!
If I’m using this in a slow cooker with meat, do I need to still cook it first or can I throw it right in?
HI Michelle, it depends on the recipe but I would make the bbq sauce first if your recipe calls for bbq sauce.
Family and friends love this bbq sauce. Thanks for sharing.
It’s my pleasure. Kim!
I’m not sure where I went wrong with it, but mine came out too sour from the apple cider vinegar. I tried to compensate by adding more of the other ingredients but the vinegar was too overwhelming. I will have to try this again. Thank you!
Hi Mikaella, we believe we found the perfect balance with this recipe, but can try it with less vinegar last time to your liking.
Could I mix all ingredients and add to crock pot with meat to have bbq meat then thicken with corn starch slurry?
I haven’t tried that process to advise.
So this is good, but I don’t know why it would be healthier or cheaper than buying your own sauce when I had to buy ketchup and mustard. I feel like a real from scratch sauce that doesn’t have hfcs (which most ketchup has), would be made from plain tomato purée. So of course I could buy a ketchup without hfcs but I can also buy barbecue sauce without it, so I don’t really see how this is healthier or cheaper. However, still good 🙂
Hi Catherine! I’m glad you liked the recipe. It’s cheaper because we usually already have all those ingredients ready and available in the house. Healthier because it doesn’t have other fillers and preservatives also added to it.
This is really good!! My littles are very picky and they really liked it on top of their meatloaf!! Would definitely recommend and would make again. Hands down!!
That’s great to hear, Dee!
BEST EVER. I’m not a great cook, but I needed some BBQ sauce and didn’t have a bottle of it on hand. I found this recipe and since I had all the ingredients figured it was the one to use. I’m so glad I did. Not only was it easy for a non-cook like myself, but it was the best tasting BBQ sauce I have ever had. It was a HUGE win with my entire family. Although, I did leave out the Paprika by accident. I don’t think it would have been any better with it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. So glad you loved it.
NEVER AGAIN will I purchase bottled or jared BBQ sauce again! OMG – this is amazing and it isn’t even cooled yet. My 13 year old asked for your pulled BBQ chicken and I decided to go all in and make your homemade BBQ sauce. WOW WOW WOW. I just shared with a few friends. THANK YOU so much. Can’t wait to try many of your other recipes!
That’s amazing! I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for the wonderful feedback.
Can you can the bq sauce, it looks very good and do you have a home made ketchup recipe I would like to try to make it also
Hi Miranda! I have not tried canning this to advise. It freezes well, see my “make-ahead” note above.
I wanted an easy-to-make BBQ sauce that wasn’t polluted with HFCS, corn syrup, and other chemicals. This popped up in my search and I liked the blend of ingredients. I halved the recipe because I wanted to try it before I splurged. I added more brown sugar to mute the acidity from the apple cider vinegar. I was in a hurry because like another reviewer, I thought I had bottled sauce on hand so I threw this together without heating and It was still very good! I plan on keeping a batch of this ready to go in my fridge.
Awesome! We’re so happy to hear that you loved this recipe a lot. Thanks so much for this review.
We all LOVED this sauce. Husband said it’s the best he’s ever tasted, way better than any “store-bought stuff” out there. Love that I know exactly what went into it and that we can count on your recipes to be hits with our family every time! Thank you for doing what you do!
You’re so welcome and thanks so much for your lovely comments and review!
There are no good tasting “no sugar added” bbq sauces on the market. Your recipe is the answer to that problem. It’s so easy to make, and it tastes great. Thank you
Hi Joy! I’m so glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback.