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!
I am excited trying your Slow cooker ribs today.
Making the sauce hope it turns out great to add on the ribs. Best rib and sauce I have founds.
Thanks
Neither catsup/ketchup nor liquid smoke is “from scratch”.
I thought this was a great recipe. Turned out excellent. I did not change a thing except for the cayanne pepper as I have some people that do not like it spicy. The problem that I have now is no one likes the store bought any more so I keep making it. Thanks for the great bbq sauce.
Being an Aussie! We call Ketchup-Tomato sauce! So im a little confused with what the ingredients are being…16 ounces tomato sauce and then also adding 2 cups Ketchup?
Great question! In this recipe, “tomato sauce” refers to a smooth, pureed tomato product, which is different from what you’d call “ketchup” (or “tomato sauce” in Australia). Ketchup is sweeter and has more seasonings. So, you’ll be using both: the tomato sauce for a rich tomato base, and the ketchup for added sweetness and flavor. Hope that clears things up!
Made this with no variations or substitutions and it turned out great. However, next time I may add a little more liquid smoke. With that said, I now have no reason to buy BBQ sauce at the store.
I have made a few of these recipes before to good results. This one is no different. I did change it up a bit. First, I did cut the brown sugar in half. I also used apple cider vinegar instead of red wine. I’ll be smoking up 4 racks of ribs and 2 chickens in two days, so the apple flavor will go great. I also added 1/4 tsp of cumin. Other than that, I followed the cooking instructions. I was concerned about the amount of vinegar, but a lot of that profile disappeared during the cooking process. I also made my own tomato sauce from 1 can of diced tomatoes and water which I pureed in my processor, heated up some olive oil in my cast iron pan with one clove of crushed garlic and one bay leaf, salt to taste.
The outcome:
Pro’s: this is a very easy recipe and very versatile. Being able to use this as a base BBQ sauce for other flavors is great.
Con’s: This may change as the sauce cools and matures, but I am having issues tasting some of the ingredients, especially the liquid smoke. Either the ratios are to small for the batch instructions, or the apple cider vinegar did something. I know that a lot of BBQ recipes call for ketchup, I wonder how much the flavor profiles change based upon the quality of ketchups used.
Final Thoughts: With some tweaking for personal preference, this is a great base recipe with witch to launch your family favorite sauce.
Delicious and now a permanent add on to my recipes. Thank you!
I don’t mind saying this sauce is way better than mine. Delicious! I didn’t have molasses so I used maple syrup. Love this recipe. It will be my Go To sauce from now on!
I am mist anxious to try this recipe with the molasses! Sounds great! I like to cook & my husband likes to eat! I am a recipe nut & always enjoy reading new information regarding cooking!
Delicious recipe with the right balance of sweet vs spice. Love the cinnamon in this.
I made this with g Hughes no sugar added ketchup and Splenda brown sugar blend and it was SO GOOD. Zesty, sweet, and reduced sugar.