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
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)
Amazing sauce family loved it I did add alittle honey to it ..
This is definitely a Kansas type of BBQ vs Carolina but tastes delicious regardless! If you’re looking for a spicer type you can add a bit extra garlic and cider vinegar to suit your taste! Thank you for the recipe Natasha!
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.
Ooh, GREAT idea! ❤️ smoked paprika.
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.
I’ve only used ketchup WITHOUT high fructose corn syrup, and it’s turned out beautifully.
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