This easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe is perfect for summer cookouts! It's sweet and tangy, with just the right amount of spice. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to whip up. So fire up the grill and get ready for some deliciousness!
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
Looking for a quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe? Look no further! This sweet and smoky sauce is perfect for summer grilling. It only takes a few minutes to make, so you can enjoy your cookout in no time.
The great thing about homemade BBQ sauce is that you know exactly what's going into it. Store-bought sauces can contain sugar, preservatives, and other unhealthy ingredients. But when you make your sauce, you control the ingredients and can make a healthy version that's just as delicious.
One of the best things about making your own BBQ sauce is that you can customize it to your taste. Love it sweet? Add more sugar. Prefer it spicier? Throw in some extra chili powder. The possibilities are endless!
Making homemade barbecue sauce not only tastes amazing, but It also saves multiple trips to the grocery store, as you'll always have some on hand to use with this recipe as it stores for ages.
This BBQ sauce is excellent on quick shredded chicken tacos, pork ribs, and burgers. It's also perfect for dipping! So whether you're grilling, dipping, or both, this sauce is sure to please.
🍽 Key Ingredients
This recipe calls for just a few simple pantry ingredients to make this delicious homemade barbecue sauce and a saucepan to boil it.
Red wine Vinegar - The acidity in vinegar helps to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients and gives the sauce a nice tang.
Ketchup - Ketchup provides the base for this sauce and gives it that classic barbecue flavor.
Water or beer - This adds a bit of liquid to the sauce and helps to thin it out.
Molasses - Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that gives the sauce a deep, rich flavor.
Brown sugar - Brown sugar is what makes this sauce sweet and gives it its caramel-like color.
Dijon mustard - Dijon mustard adds a bit of tanginess and spice to the sauce.
Worcestershire sauce - Worcestershire sauce is a savory, umami-packed ingredient that rounds out the sauce's flavor.
Seasonings - Garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper are added for flavor. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
Substitutions
Here are a few substitutions you can make in this recipe:
Red wine vinegar - You can substitute white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Molasses - You can substitute honey or corn syrup.
Brown sugar - You can use white sugar, but brown sugar will give the sauce a richer flavor.
Dijon mustard - You can use other varieties like regular yellow mustard or English mustard. The hotness will vary from one mustard to the other.
Worcestershire sauce - You can use soy sauce if you don't have Worcestershire sauce.
🔪 How to make homemade bbq sauce
This is the best BBQ sauce you'll try all summer, and it's quick and easy to make! Simply combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Follow the detailed instructions below and check out the helpful top tips and variations of this recipe.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
In a saucepan, combine all liquid ingredients.
Step 2
Add the dry spices, stir to combine.
Step 3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
💭 Cooking tips
Change the sauce consistency.
If you want a thinner sauce, add more water or beer. If you want a thicker sauce, simmer for a longer period of time to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
📖 Recipe Variations
This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is perfect, but if you want to adjust it to suit your taste buds, here are some variations for you to try.
Make it smokey
Add 5 teaspoons of smoked paprika or 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke for a smoky flavor.
Make it spicy
For a spicy BBQ sauce, add more cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste and 5 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce.
Make it fruity
Add ½ cup of mango puree or ½ cup of pineapple juice for a sweet sauce.
BBQ Chinese version
You can even make a Chinese version of barbecue sauce by substituting the Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce and the molasses for honey. Then add 4 teaspoons of Chinese 5-spice, 2 teaspoons of onion powder, and 2 teaspoons of ground ginger.
🥗 What to serve with
This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is great on so many things! Here are some of my favorite things to make to serve with this delicious sauce:
Pulled pork
What is BBQ sauce most commonly used for in the USA??? You guessed it, pulled pork!
This homemade BBQ sauce is perfect for mixing into loads of tender pork shoulder and serving however you like it. If you're like me, you'll be making a delicious sandwich with it, served with a side of baked beans.
Chicken tenders
Make these easy-peasy chicken tenders with pork rinds and cheese for a delicious low-carb meal. They're perfect for dipping in homemade BBQ sauce!
Smoked Tri-tip
This smoked tri-tip recipe is a fantastic main dish to serve with barbecue sauce. The beef is rubbed with a flavorful spice blend and smoked until tender and juicy. Slice it thin and serve with your favorite sides.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Does barbecue sauce go bad if not refrigerated?
No, because of the acidity in the sauce, it is possible to store it at room temperature for a week. However, for best results, store it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 1 month.
Can I make BBQ sauce in an instant pot?
Yes, you can! Just combine all ingredients in your instant pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure. Give the sauce a good stir, and it's ready to use!
🧊 Storing
This easy BBQ sauce recipe is perfect for storing in the fridge or freezing once it has cooled.
Fridge - Store the sauce in a sealed jar or airtight container for up to 1 month.
Freezer - Store in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 6 months.
🍳 Related Recipes
If you like this BBQ sauce recipe, you should try these sauces made with fresh ingredients. Including my easy tartar sauce recipe to pair with crab cakes and my homemade jalapeno sauce recipe.
👪 Serving size
This homemade BBQ sauce recipe makes approximately 5 cups of BBQ sauce. Servings will vary depending on how you use it.
Homemade BBQ sauce is so easy to make that you'll be wondering how you haven't made it sooner! Perfect as a dipping sauce for party food or as a base for your favorite recipes, this delicious sauce will become a family favorite.
Make a batch at the beginning of the summer and enjoy it all season long!
📋 Recipe
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup red wine vinager
- 3 cups tomato ketchup
- 1 cup lager beer - or water
- 3 tablespoon molasses
- ⅓ cup dijon mustard
- 3 teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Mix it into pulled pork or store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 month.
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