This BBQ Sauce Recipe is easy to throw together and absolutely delicious! Fast to make and with ingredients you already have on hand, you are going to make this homemade bbq sauce all the time.
Pair this BBQ sauce recipe with my Chicken Rub for the perfect grilled bbq chicken.
The other day, I shared with my my Chicken Rub recipe, which is a great dry rub that makes chicken on the grill so flavorful. And if you wanted to stop with just that, you absolutely could. But! If you don’t, I have for you this amazing homemade bbq sauce that compliments the rub perfectly. Made with ingredients that I bet you already have, this sauce comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for all your summer grilling!
“This is the only BBQ sauce you will ever need, better than store bought and so easy to do!”
How to Make BBQ Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: Combine all of the ingredients in a sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil: After being over medium heat for a few minutes, large bubbles will start to appear.
- Reduce to a simmer: You should turn the heat down after it boils and allow it to simmer, seeing only intermittent bubbles.
- Simmer for 15 minutes: This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to develop.
For the full instructions and measurements be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- brown sugar
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar (see note)
- paprika
- onion powder
- black pepper
- worcestershire sauce
- kosher salt
How to Use This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Traditionally, bbq sauce is meant to go on the meat after it has been completely cooked. It isn’t really meant to be part of the cooking process. You can see this in the making of my Honey BBQ Ribs.
That said, I do have two recipes in which I use BBQ sauce as the part of the liquid for cooking, and they did in fact turn out amazing.
Can you guys tell that I have a thing for honey bbq?
Can You Use this BBQ Sauce as a Marinade?
You guys, I’m all about breaking rules. Especially when it comes to cooking. It should be a fun creative process that makes you really happy.
Generally speaking, no. You don’t use BBQ Sauce as a marinade. It goes on after the cooking has happened.
If you do want to use this bbq sauce recipe as a marinade, don’t allow the meat to sit for more than a half hour. There is quite a bit of vinegar in this recipe, which acts as an acid and will break down the meat. If you let it sit too long it will break down the meat too much.
Apple Cider Vinegar in BBQ Sauce
Speaking of vinegar, lets talk about it. The tang in this recipe comes from apple cider vinegar. In fact, in the 2 1/2 cups that this recipe makes, 1/2 a cup is vinegar. Plus you have the acidity of the ketchup.
That’s a lot of tang guys. I love the flavor of it. I think it balances the the sweetness and the smokiness of the other flavors perfectly. That said, if you are worried it will be too acidic, I would start with 1/4 cup, taste it and add more vinegar until you get to taste you want or 1/2 cup, whichever comes first.
How Long Can You Store BBQ Sauce
The vinegar and sugar in this recipe both act as natural preservatives, so this easy homemade bbq sauce recipe should keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Things to keep in mind:
- It should be stored in an air tight container.
- Keep it in the refrigerator.
- If the sauce looks as though it has separated, it should be tossed.
- Obviously if there are signs of mold it should be discarded.
- When using this homemade bbq sauce avoid brushing cooked meat, and then dipping the brush back in the container, introducing bacteria to the sauce. Rather, pour some from the jar into a bowl and brush from there.
Can this Recipe be Canned?
This recipe has a high acidity level and has not been tested with canning.
Other Great Homemade Recipes
If you try this recipe, come back and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sharon says
Hi Joy, I have too tell you, that I made your BBQ sauce, and I can’t say enough about make it & LOVING IT!! Please keep your cooking tips & recipes coming!!
Thank you again!!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Shawn says
I made this exactly as the recipe except I didn’t add any salt as we are watching our sodium intake, plus ketchup has plenty of sodium in it. It was wonderful as is. After letting it simmer I added a splash of liquid smoke just for our taste. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Jill says
I am cooking a whole Boston butt. How much should I increase the measurements. Sounds very good. Thanks
This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups. I’m not sure how much you will need without knowing how big of a cut it is or how you are cooking it :)
Mary says
Hello again. I made a triple batch and followed directions for canning bbq sauce from a Ball canning book. I put the sauce in 1/2 pint jars and processed them for 15 minutes. Adjustments in processing time is necessary for altitude.
They are still sealed after three weeks but I’m running out fast, bc I gave some for gifts.
Joan says
Delicious and easy.
I’m so glad you liked it!
Rene says
This is seriously the BEST BBQ sauce ever! I was always a big fan of Sweet Baby Rays but this is so much better! I did use smoked paprika but other than that, I followed the recipe. Thank you! I will never buy bbq sauce again!
We were big Baby Rays fans until I developed this recipe too! I’m so glad you love it as much as me!