It's so easy to make our Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe and I bet you have what you need. It has the perfect balance of smokey, tangy, and sweet and we use it for marinating, dipping, and grilling.
Homemade BBQ Sauce is a Game Changer
Homemade BBQ Sauce is a Game ChangerWe'e been doing a “make it, don't buy it” series on Instagram highlighting foods (like this BBQ sauce recipe) that are so much healthier, less expensive and easy to make yourself. Homemade Barbecue sauce tastes better than anything in a bottle and lasts in the fridge for weeks!
Slather it on Ribs, BBQ chicken, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, BBQ Chicken Pizza, and BBQ Chicken Tacos!
I was originally inspired by Mel's Kitchen Cafe's recipe back in 2017; this is any easy recipe to make your own by adjusting the seasonings to your preference! Add sweetness with honey or more brown sugar. Add more “smoky” flavor with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or even blend fire roasted tomatoes instead of tomato sauce. You could even make BBQ Ranch by adding a couple tablespoons to homemade ranch.
How to make Homemade BBQ Sauce:
Combine: Add all ingredients to a saucepan and mix. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 20 minutes to an hour.
Serve on ribs, hamburger, pulled pork sandwich, as a dipping sauce or marinade for grilled chicken, or just about anything! Store leftover bbq sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
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Recipe
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup ketchup (240g)
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar (147g)
- 1/4 cup molasses (85g), unsulphured
- 2/3 cup red wine vinegar (159g)
- 2 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika , or regular paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt , or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and mix together until smooth.8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 cup ketchup, 2/3 cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup molasses, 2/3 cup red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or up to one hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Store in an air tight container or jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe June 2017. Updated June 2020 and May 2025.
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I have to tell you this bbq sauce is my “secret ingredient” in so so many dishes and people absolutely rave about it. One person said “I cant believe you cooked that amazing bbq sauce in a pot on the stove!” I did tell him I followed a recipe it wasn’t just something I threw together on my own lol. Never ever going store bought again!
Well….I will never go store bought again. You ruined me on this recipe! Im in BBQ heaven the whole time making this. The smell, the taste, its absolutely awesome and cant wait to baste my baby back ribs with it tomorrow over hot coals. Thank you for this recipe!
Excellent recipe! I can understand why the previous comments rated your recipe with 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I will be sure to give credit where credit is due in the future any time I make this.
i use honey in place of molasses
Just made this, great recipe! Thanks!
Can it be process for long term storage?
I have never tried this. You could call your local extension service for advise.
It should be fine. The base is tomatoes and they’re a high acid food that can normally be water bath canned. Add a teaspoon of lemon to each bottle if you’re concerned, or pressure cook it.
What is the difference between tomato sauce and ketchup? Here in Australia tomato sauce I think is similar to ketchup – tomato, sugar, water type condiment. Is tomato sauce in your recipe similar to passata which is just pureed tomato in a jar?
No I dont think they are the same. Best bet would be to make your own sauce by reducing your tomatoes by cooking them down on simmer for several hours.
Yes tomato sauce is pureed tomatoes. No flavoring at all , no sugar no spices. Can be used as a base in spaghetti sauces , chili, soups etc. Ketchup(catsup) is used for sandwiches, to dip french fries etc. Each brand has different spices and for sure sugar.
Yes tomato sauce is not like ketchup, that you would use on chips or hot dogs, rather more like a lomato purée.
DELICIOUS !!! I tweak it a bit , but stay close to the recipe . All my friends rave about it !!!!
Thanks so much !!!
I make this all time it is very good
What is unsulphured molasses and where do you purchase it;
Most traditional molasses’ are unsulphered (Like the Grandma’s brand). You can find it at your local grocery store.
I substituded dark corn syrup it was delicious!
Just about anywhere . Usually in the baking aisle of your local supermarkets .
This looks incredible and I think I might have all the ingredients on hand!
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