BBQ Sauce Recipe
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BBQ Sauce made with just brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and spices is so simple but amazingly flavorful!
This homemade barbecue sauce recipe is the perfect addition to all your dishes! Toss it with some easy baked chicken, pulled pork, or add it to your chicken salad wrap. Yum!
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BBQ Sauce Recipe
BBQ Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients for homemade BBQ sauce
- Ketchup – Whatever kind you like.
- Water – Filtered.
- Brown sugar – Dark.
- Worcestershire sauce – Soy sauce can be substituted in a pinch.
- Garlic powder
- Paprika – Ground, smoked paprika.
- Black pepper – Fresh ground is ideal.
How do you make homemade barbecue sauce? (Step-by-step)
⭐ First, add all ingredients to a sauce pan.
⭐ Then, whisk everything together until well combined.
⭐ Next, simmer in a small skillet over medium heat until desired thickness is reached.
⭐ Finally, allow to cool before using or storing.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make homemade barbecue sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely, we like it best if made up in advance and cooled completely in the refrigerator.
What if I don’t have ketchup?
You can substitute plain tomato sauce with a little honey or maple syrup. Also add a splash more of the Worcestershire, to taste.
Storage and leftovers
How long does homemade barbecue sauce last?
We don’t typically keep it longer than a week unless it’s frozen. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. A mason jar or old spaghetti jar works great.
Can you freeze homemade BBQ sauce?
Yes, to freeze the sauce, allow it to cool completely then store in a freezer safe container. I like to freeze ours in an ice cube tray and then pop the frozen BBQ sauce cubes into a gallon bag so it’s easy to thaw as much or little as you need.
The sauce can also be stored in mason jars or old spaghetti jars. Make sure to leave head space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
BBQ Sauce Variations
🍯 Make it sweeter by adding more brown sugar, molasses, honey, or maple syrup.
🔥 Add some spice with some diced pickled jalapenos or a splash of sriracha sauce.
🌫 Go smoky with a drop or two of liquid smoke.
💧 Use it as a glaze by thinning with water.
When to use homemade BBQ sauce (serving suggestions)
Try it on our BBQ chicken pizza recipe, barbecue pulled pork, or smoked chicken legs. It’s also delicious in barbecue cheddar crescent sandwiches, a barbecue cheddar chicken braid, slow cooker bbq chicken, or instant pot ribs.
More homemade sauces we love
- Enchilada sauce recipe
- Sriracha mayonnaise
- Homemade chili sauce
- Japenese yum yum sauce
- Honey mustard dip recipe
- See all our homemade condiments
Recipes to serve at a BBQ
- Baked BBQ chicken recipe
- BBQ chicken nachos recipe
- Best potato salad recipe
- Easy tuna pasta salad
- No boil macaroni and cheese
- See all our easy side dish recipes
Tools we love
- Whisk set – Perfectly for making sauces come together in a pan.
- Cast iron skillet – Everyone needs a good basic skillet. This one will last generations.
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How to Make BBQ Sauce
BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients until well combined in a sauce pan or skillet.
- Simmer over medium heat 10 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until desired thickness is reached.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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BBQ Sauce Recipe
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Umm…. YUM!! We hadn’t found a sauce to use on our pulled pork, that we absolutely loved… until we made this one. It’s perfect! Thank you!
This is such an amazing bbq sauce recipe! A now staple recipe at my kitchen! Thanks!
I love it!! The recipe is so simple but the flavor is on point! Really perfect!