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 barbecue sauce all the time.
Since first sharing my BBQ Sauce recipe with you in 2019, it has gotten rave reviews. Just like me, my readers find this sauce not only incredibly easy to make, but absolutely delicious.
In the last four years, I’ve added this sauce to so many different recipes (check out the list of recipes below), and without fail, it always becomes the star of the show. Just like so many others, one you make this homemade BBQ sauce, you will use store-bought again.
This is the only BBQ sauce you will ever need, better than store bought and so easy to do!
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients that make up homemade BBQ sauce. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe, including all measurements.
- Brown Sugar: Not only does this add some sweetness to your sauce, a must in BBQ sauce in my personal opinion, the sweetness also balances the acidity of the other ingredients.
- Ketchup: Made with tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar, this also brings some acidity and great flavor to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This brings the great tang that I bet you didn’t even know you love in BBQ Sauce. Read more about this below.
- Paprika: I generally keep regular paprika on hand and not smoked, so that is what I use here. That being said, smoked paprika would be fantastic in this.
- Onion Powder: This is a great way of getting good onion flavor in the BBQ sauce without chunks of onion.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
How to Make BBQ Sauce
This is a brief overview of how to make this delicious recipe. For the full recipe with all of the ingredients, find the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Combine the Ingredients
Add all of the ingredients to a small sauce pan and whisk them together.
Bring to a Boil
After being over medium heat for a few minutes, large bubbles will start to appear. Once the sauce starts to boil, turn down the heat to a simmer. You should see occasional and intermittent bubbles. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes allowing it to thicken and the flavors to combine.
Tips and Tricks
- Use it as a marinade. BBQ sauce isn’t typically used as a marinade, but this one works great as one. Remember that when marinating raw beef, the marinade should be discarded. Making a double batch of this and reserving some for the final cooked meat is a great idea.
- Adjust the amount of vinegar. I love the way the tang of the vinegar balances the sugar in this recipe. But if you know that it is too strong for you, you can cut back the vinegar a bit.
- Skip organic apple cider vinegar. It is extremely strong in flavor and I wouldn’t recommend it here.
- Make spicy BBQ sauce. To make this sauce spicy, add a little bit of cayenne pepper. For a recipe of this size, I would start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon depending on how spicy you want it.
- Don’t double dip. Avoid brushing cooke meat with the sauce and then dipping the sauce back in the container of bbq sauce unless you plan on using all of it. Doing this and then saving the sauce will introduce bacteria to the sauce.
Storing BBQ Sauce
The vinegar and sugar in this recipe both act as natural preservatives, so this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe should keep for two weeks. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Discard if the sauce separates at all. As always, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers
This sauce is great to for freezing. Allow it to cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container that has room for expanding and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Using Homemade BBQ Sauce
While BBQ sauce is typically meant to go on meat after it has been thoroughly cooked, like in my Grilled Chicken Legs, I do use it as part of the cooking liquid often. Let me tell you, it makes for some pretty amazing recipes.
- It is a great start to my Crockpot Ribs recipe.
- It is the star of the show in my BBQ Chicken Nachos.
- I love using it to top my Meatloaf.
- You can’t beat it in these Crockpot Little Smokies.
- You will love it in this simple BBQ Pork Chops recipe.
- It makes the base of this BBQ Pulled Pork.
- Its one three ingredients in my Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks.
- Toss my chicken wings in it.
- Use it to top my perfect burger recipe.
If you try this easy BBQ sauce recipe or any of my other recipes, come back and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (319.5 grams) packed
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup (352.5 grams)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar see note (119.29 ml)
- 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 saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Video
Notes
Jean says
Love this bbq sauce recipe. It is now the only one I use. It’s the sauce I now toss with our pulled pork. The only changes from the recipe I make: dark brown sugar and a combination of paprika and smoked paprika. Try it. You won’t be disappointed. Thanks Lisa.
YES! I am just working on a pulled pork recipe using this and a homemade pork rub. So good!
Kelly says
How much sauce does this recipe make? I’m looking to use it as part of a recipe & I need a cup of BBQ sauce for the recipe. Thank you
It makes 2 1/2 cups.
Nancy Shamatanga says
Thank you for sharing
Susan says
I love this recipe! I use 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 honey but that’s the only modification I make. YUM!
I’m so glad you enjoy it!
Abby says
FANTASTIC….QUICK & EASY!!
I’m so glad you like it!
Patti says
I love this recipe. I’ve been making it for quite a while now and don’t purchase store bought BBQ sauce anymore. I use 1 tsp. Paprika and 1 tsp. Smoky paprika, to give it a hint of smokiness.
I’m so glad you like it!
Sarah Pridemore says
I’m not a big bbq fan, but my family of guys do! I made a Boston butt for dinner and realized I didn’t have bbq sauce! (Not a staple in my kitchen lol) Your recipe saved dinner and I have to say, was pretty good. A little tangy (no offense, I find spaghetti sauce too tangy!), but had a nice flavor and was easy to make and my guys were pleased. So a big plus. . Thank you for your recipe!!
No offense taken! Everyone has different tastes. Just cut back on the apple cider vinegar next time. And for your spaghetti sauce, try this recipe. It has a little sugar to balance out that tang.
Deanna says
Made this Barbq sauce with your Slow cooker Pork Ribs recipe it’s a keeper for sure. Wow talk about falling off the bone. I plan to try it this summer with chicken and pork chops on the Barbq..
thanks for sharing
Deanna
Deana, I’m so happy that you liked it!
M Piazza says
This BBQ sauce is truly the BEST! My family enjoyed it on our beef back ribs.
Thank you!
I’m so happy that your family enjoyed it!
Erik says
This is an easy to make recipe that tastes great. I can easily change up the flavors with this recipe (adding honey, Gochujang paste, etc.) as well to add some variety. Thanks for sharing it!