This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients! Sweet and tangy, it's great for dipping and summer grilling.
This homemade BBQ sauce is so much better than store-bought! It’s sweet, tangy, and deliciously seasoned with smoky, savory spices like onion powder and smoked paprika. Better yet, this easy BBQ sauce recipe calls for simple pantry ingredients. You probably have everything you need to make it right now!
I love making this homemade barbecue sauce during the summer. Perfect for grilling or dipping, it comes together super quickly (we’re talking less than 30 minutes on the stove!), and it keeps in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Thick and flavorful, it’s such an easy way to jazz up simple meals. Keep reading to learn how to make it!
BBQ Sauce Recipe Ingredients
After living in Austin for many years, I’ll be the first to admit that BBQ sauce can be controversial. Do you like yours tomatoey? Vinegary? Or syrupy and sweet from molasses?
I wouldn’t call this barbecue sauce recipe an authentic take on any of the regional barbecue sauce variations in the US, but because of its thicker consistency and tomato base, it’s closest to a Kansas City-style sauce. Here’s what’s in it:
- Ketchup – It gives the sauce its smooth, silky texture. Any store-bought ketchup will work here, but I recommend choosing a brand with no high-fructose corn syrup.
- Apple cider vinegar – I like my barbecue sauce tangy, so I don’t hold back on the vinegar! I love its zingy kick.
- Water – It loosens the sauce so that it’s not too thick or gloopy.
- Brown sugar – For sweetness. The notes of molasses are key for giving this sauce classic BBQ flavor. Light brown sugar and dark brown sugar both work well here. Dark brown sugar will give the sauce a stronger molasses flavor.
- Tamari – Worcestershire sauce is a common ingredient in many traditional barbecue sauce recipes. For a vegetarian-friendly alternative, I replace it with tamari. It provides a similar savory flavor, and I always have it on hand! If you’re not gluten-free, soy sauce works too.
- Yellow mustard – It adds a little bite and amplifies the tangy vinegar.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – For extra umami.
- Ground cumin – For earthy depth.
- Smoked paprika – It makes the sauce taste rich and smoky.
- And freshly ground black pepper – For a peppery kick.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Variation
For spicy BBQ sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or 1 to 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
My method for how to make BBQ sauce is super quick and easy!
- Whisk together all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to low.
- Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.
That’s it! Taste and adjust the sauce to your liking before using it on your favorite BBQ recipes.
How to Use BBQ Sauce
Though BBQ sauce is traditionally used on meat dishes like chicken wings, pulled pork, and ribs, those are far from the only ways to use it!
- Try it on BBQ jackfruit sandwiches.
- Brush it onto grilled tofu to make BBQ tofu.
- Make a BBQ burger! Dress up a veggie burger with caramelized onions and a slather of BBQ sauce.
- Use it on crispy cauliflower. Swap it out for the buffalo sauce in this buffalo cauliflower recipe.
- Serve it as a dipping sauce. We love it with air fryer French fries, air fryer onion rings, and sweet potato fries.
How do you like to use homemade barbecue sauce? Let me know in the comments!
How to Store Homemade Barbecue Sauce
The sauce will keep well in a Mason jar or other airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
More Favorite Sauce Recipes
If you love this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe, try one of these sauces next:
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, vinegar, water, brown sugar, tamari, mustard, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, smoked paprika, and several grinds of pepper.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes, or until thickened. Season to taste and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Awesome sauce! Just curious why only two weeks in the fridge? Or just being safe? Thanks for my new favourite wings and rib sauce!
Hi Brad, just being safe! We typically don’t recommend going longer than two weeks to be cautious. So glad you love it!
can you use this for a chicken marinade before barbecuing the chicken?
yep!
It’s good but a little more acidic than I’d make next time. I also wanted a little more smoke flavour so added liquid smoke which was perfect.
Delicious! Best recipe yet. I am now hooked on home made barbeque sauce. Thank you for this recipe!
This is the best bbq sauce I’ve ever tasted. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it!