This post contains affiliate links.
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.
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Follow Me
I originally shared this recipe June 2017. Updated June 2020 and May 2025.
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!
I just made this. I used spaghetti tomato and basil sauce instead of tomato sauce (it was what I had on hand) and I chopped real onions real fine, and sautéed them with garlic, otherwise used the recipe. Delicious!
“from scratch” using ketchup. come on!
Why the ketchup
Do you process your own wheat into flour when you make biscuits from scratch?
Just made this. It turned out amazing. I omitted red wine vinegar and substituted honey for the molasses. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly. The sauce has a little spice/heat yet sweet. Definitely making this again
My family absolutely loved these. so easy you don’t have to tend to ribs all day long.
We are making them again next week. They all disappeared.
Too many ingredients
Way too many ingredients and no Worcestershire sauce. Also I prefer fresh onion and garlic over powder. I chop very fine but I guess a food processor would do better but I don’t have one (except myself lol)
Not enough….
Wonderful taste. The husband LOVED it. And now I can have BBQ sauce with no high fructose corn syrup in it!!!
I use HUNTS ketchup only. Heinz and other off brands have HF corn syrup and other additives thus NOT 100% pure tomato ketchup. I make my own bbq sauce and does contain more ingredients than this recipe, such as apple cider, apple cider vinegar, honey, anchovies (no salt) , tamarind paste etc. NO cinnamon, altho I have never tried using it, mainly bc I have a step-daughter that is allergic to it.
Semper Fi 66′
77563
We were going to do ribs on the grill, only to find out we had no sauce. I found this recipe, and it turned ordinary ribs into extraordinary ribs!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Now my dad wants the recipe, lol!
I make two batches at a time and freeze some. Works great–no change in taste or consistency. My favorite sauce!
Hi, take out the ketchup, how would the recipe change then?
NK,
If you take out the ketchup I would recommend substituting another 8 ounces of tomato sauce but the flavor will be different.
Can I Do this in instant pot?
I’m not sure why you want to pressure cook BBQ sauce but I guess you could. You may need to add additional water so that it doesn’t scorch. I haven’t tried this, good luck!