The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (2024)

by Erin

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This Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is so easy!Made in just 15-minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This southern sauce is delicious on brisket, pork chops, chicken, meatloaf and ribs.

The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (1)

Love barbecue sauce? Be sure to try my White BBQ Sauce too!

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Ingredients needed

How to make it

How to thicken BBQ sauce

Uses for BBQ sauce

More yogurt recipes

Favorite BBQ recipes

More homemade sauce recipes

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

A couple weeks ago, I set myself on the mission of making the best sous vide brisket. It turned out amazingly tender, smoky and juicy. Perfect, if I do say so myself (I can’t wait to make it again). And since brisket takes about 36 hours to cook sous vide, I also had plenty of time to work on perfecting my BBQ sauce recipe.

A few batches later, I’m now feeling pretty darn confident that this is the BEST BBQ sauce recipe ever!

Why?

It’s sweet & tangy, with the perfect hint of smokiness & spice. And the consistency is just perfect for slathering on your favorite grilled meats.

My first step was deciding on the tomato base. Ketchup or pureed tomatoes? The ketchup was a clear winner. The BBQ sauce made with ketchup had much more flavor and was smoother. The one made with tomatoes was a bit grittier, and the flavor was much less concentrated, even though I tried to amp it up a bit with even more spices, vinegar, etc.

The second step was getting just that right blend of spices.

The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (2)

Of course, everyone is going to have their own personal preferences when it comes to BBQ sauce, so my recipe is more of a standard variety, with just a hint of spice, smoke and sweetness.

However, I’m also providing some variations below if you like a more spicy sauce, sweeter (or honey based) BBQ sauce, or a smokier sauce. I’ve even got some *spiked* barbecue sauce variations.

I added some of the dripping from my brisket into the sauce for extra flavor, but if you don’t have any, that’s totally OK!

Ingredients needed

  • Ketchup – The base for our sauce.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – For that signature BBQ taste.
  • White Wine Vinegar – Adds a great tang. Red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar also work.
  • Brown Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness. Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – To give that hint of umami. Soy sauce is a good substitute.
  • Spices – Chile powder, cumin + smoked paprika.
  • Salt & Black Pepper

How to make it

It’s so easy to make this BBQ sauce. All you need to do is:

  1. Stir together the ingredients in a saucepan.
  2. Simmer.Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until thickened to your liking.
  3. Serve.

How to thicken BBQ sauce

  • If you would like to thicken your BBQ sauce even further, simply simmer it for longer. It will continue to thicken as it cooks.
The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (3)

BBQ sauce variations

  • BBQ Sauce From Drippings: You can add some drippings from pulled pork or brisket into the sauce for extra flavor.
  • Honey Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons honey.
  • Maple Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons maple syrup.
  • Smoky Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 teaspoons liquid smoke.
  • Spicy Barbecue Sauce: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce, to taste.
  • Mustard Barbecue Sauce: Add in some yellow mustard, ground mustard, or dijon mustard.
  • Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: Add 1/4 cup bourbon before simmering.
  • Red Wine Barbecue Sauce:Add 1/4 cup red wine before simmering (I love Pinot Noir or Zinfandel for this).
  • For a Sweeter Sauce: Add in a bit more brown sugar, honey, or molasses.
  • White BBQ Sauce – This recipe combines creamy mayo & horseradish for a tangy kick!!
  • Spices – Try adding in some garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes.

How to store & freeze

  • To Store. Store leftovers tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I like to store it in a glass mason jar.
  • To Freeze. Freeze individual portions into cubes using this silicone ice cube mold, or freeze in ziploc bags or containers (allowing room for expansion). It will keep in the freezer for 3 months. To use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Uses for BBQ sauce

  • Slather it on Meat: Brisket, pork chops, chicken breasts, drumsticks, chicken thighs, chicken legs, pork belly, and smoked beef short ribs.
  • Pulled Pork Sauce: This is the best bbq sauce for pulled pork or pulled pork sandwiches!
  • Meatloaf: I love to mix a little into my meatloaf topping – try my air fryer meatloaf or Boston Market Meatloaf copycat recipe.
  • Baked Beans: Stir some into your baked beans.
  • Burgers: Drizzle it on your burgers
  • Pizzas:Swap the traditional tomato sauce for BBQ sauce or dip your pizza crust into it.
  • Dipping Sauce:Makes a great dipping sauce served with chicken tenders, air fryer french fries or wings.
The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (4)

More yogurt recipes

  • Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
  • Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake
  • Greek Yogurt Onion Dip
  • Tahini Yogurt Sauce
  • Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
  • Greek Yogurt Bowls
  • More → 45+ ways to use Greek yogurt!

Favorite BBQ recipes

  • Grilled Pork Medallions with Mojo Sauce
  • Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce
  • Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Basil Tahini Sauce
  • Grilled Chicken with Peanut Sauce
  • Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Charred Lemon Chimichurri
  • Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce

More homemade sauce recipes

  • Romesco Sauce
  • Bordelaise Sauce
  • Mojo Sauce
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Bang Bang Sauce
  • Magic Artichoke Dipping Sauce
  • Buffalo Wing Sauce (Mild, Medium or Hot)

Did you try this BBQ sauce recipe?

If you loved this barbecue sauce, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

Be sure to check out my 35+ EASY Sides for BBQ too!

The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (5)

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is so easy! Made in just 15-minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This southern sauce is delicious on brisket, pork chops, chicken, and ribs.

4.87 from 22 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water (or brisket drippings from sous vide)
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Stir together all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

  • Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.

Notes

Variations:

  • Honey Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons honey.
  • Maple Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 Tablespoons maple syrup.
  • Smoky Barbecue Sauce: Add 2 teaspoons liquid smoke.
  • Spicy Barbecue Sauce: Add cayenne pepper, to taste.
  • Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: Add 1/4 cup bourbon before simmering.
  • Red Wine Barbecue Sauce: Add 1/4 cup red wine before simmering (I love Pinot Noir or Zinfandel for this).

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 598IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (2024)

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