Homemade BBQ Sauce
Make your own homemade barbecue sauce with this easy to follow and easy to make recipe! Use your own sauce is lots of ways, whether its for a dipping sauce, sauce for chicken wings, a base for BBQ chicken pizza, or a marinade for your favorite cut of meat.
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There’s so many benefits to making your own bbq sauce, and this easy recipe, made with wholesome simple ingredients, is the perfect way to do it. With homemade sauces, you control the flavor and you control the ingredients. You aren’t stuck with high sugar content and whatever artificial flavors that are packed in sauces you find at the grocery store.
The great thing about making your own barbecue sauce recipe is the control over the ingredients. Every thing that you put into your sauce has the sole purpose of tantalizing your taste buds! You don’t need any artificial ingredients that you find in store-bought BBQ sauce that exists just to extend shelf life.
We hope that our Homemade BBQ Sauce provides you an easy to make sauce that tastes more authentic than store-bought stuff, but we know that everyone has their own personal favorites.
There’s so many different styles of barbecue sauce that vary in taste as well as consistency. This easy Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe will, at the very least, provide you a great recipe that serves as a base recipe to tweak to make it the best BBQ sauce for you!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
Big flavor with minimal effort: This sauce comes together in one pot using pantry staples and just 15 minutes of your time.
Smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet: The perfect balance of flavors to complement grilled meats, roasted veggies, or sandwiches.
Naturally sweetened: Made with maple syrup, no refined sugar needed.
Customizable: Easy to adjust the sweetness, spice, or thickness to match your taste.
Better than store-bought: No preservatives, no mystery ingredients, just real, bold flavor you control.
Ingredients to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce:
- ketchup. This forms the base of the sauce. Use a high-quality or homemade if you want to keep the sauce naturally sweetened.
- apple cider vinegar. Adds a sharp tang that balances the sweetness and gives the sauce that classic BBQ bite.
- dijon mustard. Adds a subtle sharpness and helps round out the flavor without overpowering it.
- maple syrup. Adds natural sweetness, you can adjust the amount to make the sauce sweeter or more balanced.
- liquid smoke. A little goes a long way, this is what gives the sauce that deep, smoky flavor without a grill.
- spices. This spice blend gives the sauce bold flavor with smoky, savory, and mildly spicy notes. Adjust chili powder for more or less heat.
- cornstarch. Thickens the sauce to a perfect, glossy consistency. Mix it with water before adding to prevent clumps.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and chili powder.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly.
- Continue to simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer to a jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recommended Equipment
Recipe Notes & Tips:
Make it your own: Taste as you go, add more maple syrup for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or a dash of cayenne if you like extra heat.
Control the thickness: For a thinner sauce, reduce the cornstarch or add a splash of water after cooking. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a few extra minutes.
Blend for smoothness: If you want an ultra-smooth texture, let the sauce cool and blend it before storing.
Double the batch: This recipe doubles easily and makes a great gift when poured into small mason jars.
No liquid smoke? Smoked paprika adds a nice layer of smoky flavor on its own, so you can leave it out or add a touch of chipotle powder for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions:
- BBQ Chicken Meatballs
- Turkey Burgers
- BBQ Chicken Flatbread
- Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
- Healthy Meatloaf
- BBQ Mushrooms
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a sealed jar or airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: For longer storage, pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or silicone ice cube tray. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
FAQs:
You can leave it out and use extra smoked paprika or a pinch of chipotle powder for a hint of smokiness.
You’ll get about 2 cups of BBQ sauce, depending on how much it reduces during simmering.
It can be! Be sure to check the labels on your ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, some brands contain gluten or soy.
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Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and chili powder.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly.
- Continue to simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer to a jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Make it your own: Taste as you go, add more maple syrup for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or a dash of cayenne if you like extra heat.
- Control the thickness: For a thinner sauce, reduce the cornstarch or add a splash of water after cooking. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a few extra minutes.
- Blend for smoothness: If you want an ultra-smooth texture, let the sauce cool and blend it before storing.
- Double the batch: This recipe doubles easily and makes a great gift when poured into small mason jars.
- No liquid smoke? Smoked paprika adds a nice layer of smoky flavor on its own, so you can leave it out or add a touch of chipotle powder for extra depth.
Nutrition Facts:
These nutrition facts are estimated and can vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods. Always consult product labels or a nutrition professional for precise information.Calories: ~35
Carbohydrates: 8g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: ~250mg
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