Using just a few pantry staples, you'll be able to make this wicked delicious homemade BBQ sauce to put to use for all your favorite recipes. The sauce is just as good as the bottled BBQ sauce you usually buy, if not better.
Who knew this perfect sweet and savory concoction was this easy to make?
BBQ sauces are usually synonymous with summers and the grilling season, but I love using it all throughout the year. Its smoky and savory aroma and flavor is just unbeatable, and I love adding a spoonful of it to my pizza sauces, homemade burgers and even my pan-roasted meats.
If you love the idea of making versatile sauces to use for your recipes, you may also want to check out my Middle Eastern hot sauce, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce and cowboy butter dipping sauce recipes.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?
The best part about this recipe is its simplicity. All you need is a few simple kitchen essentials and 15-20 minutes to make a batch of this homemade sauce, which you can store for months, and use for lots of different recipes.
Plus, the sauce is versatile and adaptable too!
Recipe Ingredients
Ketchup: Ketchup forms the base of the sauce, which is why, I would recommend using homemade or organic ketchup. This is usually thicker than regular ketchup, which is another plus.
Worcestershire sauce: To lend that smoky, savory flavor to the BBQ sauce.
Seasonings: I used a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and ground cumin here.
Apple cider vinegar: This will help thin out the sauce a bit, and lend it that bit of fruity tangy flavor.
Brown sugar: Just a bit, to add that caramel-like sweetness to the sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can make do with regular white vinegar or even some pineapple juice.
- Don't want to use brown sugar? Feel free to use a natural sweetener like honey, agave or cane sugar instead.
- To lend the sauce some extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
- For a bit of extra heat, you can add some jalapeno salt or jalapeno flakes into the mix, or even just a pinch of cayenne.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
In a pan over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and stir until it starts to bubble up.
Take it off heat, allow it to cool down completely and then transfer to an airtight jar or container.
💭Top Tip
Remember to keep the heat low while cooking the sauce. High heat can cause the ketchup to burn!
How to Store Leftover BBQ Sauce
Store your leftover BBQ sauce in a glass jar or container in the refrigerator and it should stay fresh for 2-3 weeks. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it too! Just use a freezer-safe container to store it and you should be good.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- If you can, make this sauce a few days ahead of time and let it sit in the refrigerator. This will deepen the flavors further and you'll get the perfect savory and delicious BBQ sauce.
- When it comes to seasoning the sauce, start with a little, taste and adjust as per your liking.
- Cook the sauce on low heat and keep stirring continuously. Since the base of the sauce is ketchup, expect some splatters too!
- For a bit of extra flavor, you can also add some dry mustard powder into the mix if you have it at hand.
How to Use the Homemade BBQ Sauce
There are a TON of ways to put your homemade BBQ sauce to use. You can slather it onto your burgers and sandwiches, stir a spoonful into your pan fried veggies or even brush it on your grilled or baked meats.
This sauce also doubles up as a delicious dip with some French fries, onion rings, fried chicken and sweet potato fries.
Recipe FAQs
Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovies, which is why, this recipe is not vegan. To make it vegan, simply swap it with some tamari for that umami flavor.
To make gluten free homemade BBQ sauce, use a homemade ketchup as the base, and make sure the Worcestershire sauce and the seasonings you're using are gluten-free too.
Related Recipes
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If you tried this homemade BBQ sauce or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato ketchup
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a pan over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and stir until it starts to bubble up.
- Take it off heat, allow it to cool down completely and then transfer to an airtight jar or container.
Notes
- If you can, make this sauce a few days ahead of time and let it sit in the refrigerator. This will deepen the flavors further and you'll get the perfect savory and delicious BBQ sauce.
- When it comes to seasoning the sauce, start with a little, taste and adjust as per your liking.
- Cook the sauce on low heat and keep stirring continuously. Since the base of the sauce is ketchup, expect some splatters too!
- For a bit of extra flavor, you can also add some dry mustard powder into the mix if you have it at hand.
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