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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
We'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.
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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 can’t eat most BBQ sauce due to the spice heat. Would this just about as good without the peppers and chili powder? Thank you.
Go for it!
This really is the best BBQ sauce. Can you can this sauce?
I made this and gave it as gifts last Christmas. Now I get asked for it all year round. My secret ingredient? Love! And a dash of ghost pepper sauce.
We made meatball sandwiches for dinner. I made this BBQ sauce for them with a little tweak for heat. It was amazingly good! I caught myself just spooning the stuff in my face while stirring it. Lol! Doing tailgate food this weekend using this sauce. Cannot wait!
Really disappointed!! All I can taste is vinegar. Trying to cook it longer to see if that helps. Ended up doubling the ingredients without the vinegar and still just tastes like vinegar.
Just made it today on a whim. Gonna make some shredded BBQ chicken in the slow cooker and needed a sauce. Substituted a few things due to missing some of the ingredients, but the heart of the sauce is intact. Probably the most delicious BBQ sauce i have ever tasted. Plus my two young daughters got to make it with me. Dont think i can go back to store bought anymore :D. Subbed the vinegar for red wine and white vinegar. Molasses for a bit of honey. Resulted in a slightly sweet slightly spicey sauce mmm.
The best BBQ sauce I’ve ever tasted, thanks so much for the recipe!
Are the calories given for 1/4 of the recipe (a little over 1/2 C.)? Thanks again.
I’ve made this sauce two times now…it is absolutely wonderful! I always make a double batch and everyone agrees that it is way better than anything we can buy from the store. I love all your recipes!! Thank you so much.
You will never want to use store bought bbq sauce again! I made this bbq sauce with your pulled pork sandwich recipe and wow! Game changer. The secret for pulled pork really is in the bbq sauce!
Just making this bbq sauce, things are getting so expensive in stores , this is cheaper to make ,had all ingredients in the house, and very easy, will see how it tastes tomorrow night when we bbq steak,
This recipe is fantastic!