Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

by Traci ·

4.98 from 45 votes

Total 15 minutes minutes

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This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is savory, sweet, mildly spicy, and so easy to make! Everyone needs a quick BBQ sauce to level up their barbecue game.

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (1)

Table of Contents hide

1) Why you'll love this recipe

2) BBQ sauce recipe ingredients

3) How to make barbecue sauce

4) Recipe Tips

5) Recipe variations

6) 📖 Recipe

7) Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Everyone needs a go-to barbecue sauce recipe that's delicious and goes with everything. That is this recipe and here's what else we love about it.

  • easy for any cooking level
  • made with simple pantry ingredients
  • naturally sweetened with honey and molasses
  • bold and rich flavor
  • made without ketchup
  • you control the sodium and sugar
  • saucy, lustrous texture that sticks to meat
  • save money with on-hand ingredients
  • mouthwatering delicious with slow cooker pulled pork, Instant Pot pulled pork, shredded chicken, and these mouthwatering pulled pork sliders.

BBQ sauce recipe ingredients

This easy recipe is made with pantry ingredients, many of which you probably have on hand.

  • unseasoned tomato sauce - This is the base of homemade BBQ sauce and adds tangy flavor and volume.
  • apple cider vinegar - The subtle acidity and natural sweetness makes the perfect flavor profile for barbecue.
  • honey - The honey in this bbq sauce adds a natural sweetness that balances the savory flavors of smoked or grilled meats.
  • molasses - This adds a subtly sweet and smoky flavor to the sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce - Optional, but recommended for depth of flavor.
  • paprika - I'm using a Hungarian paprika but if you want to add a kick of heat, use hot paprika.
  • onion powder - This is a convenient way to add onion flavor to the sauce without needing to chop or puree fresh onions.
  • garlic powder - Use as much as you like.
  • chili powder - The smallest amount will enhance and deepen the flavor of your homemade BBQ sauce.
  • black pepper and sea salt
Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2)

How to make barbecue sauce

Making homemade BBQ sauce is as easy as heating ingredients in a saucepan. It's so rich and delicious, you'll wonder why you haven't done it sooner!

Step 1. – Combine BBQ sauce ingredients in a sauce pan and place over medium heat.

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (3)
Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (4)

Step 2. – Heat the sauce mixture about 20 minutes until it thickens to your liking, whisking as needed.

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (5)
Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (6)

That's it! It's so easy to make this BBQ sauce recipe! Once you taste it, you may never buy packaged sauce again!

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (7)

Recipe Tips

  • texture - You can thicken BBQ sauce by simply cooking it a little longer to reduce the liquid. To make a thinner sauce, add a splash of water as needed to adjust the consistency.
  • make-ahead - This recipe is delicious on the first day and the flavor only gets better by the day, so feel free to make ahead!
  • storing and freezing - Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate up to 5 days in an airtight storage container. Freeze BBQ sauce up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recipe variations

  • tomato sauce - If canned tomato sauce isn't available, you can make this tomato sauce substitute as a delicious workaround.
  • honey substitute - If honey isn't an option, you can substitute brown sugar in equal amounts.
  • adjust sweetness - Adjust the sweetness by adding more honey to taste and simmering as needed to thicken.
  • spiciness - To make BBQ sauce spicier, add small amounts of cayenne pepper or chipotle in adobo to the cooked sauce. Use mustard or vinegar to add a distinctive Southern flavor to homemade barbecue sauce.

📖 Recipe

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (8)

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

This easy homemade BBQ sauce is savory, sweet, and a little spicy. Skip the packaged stuff and make this quick BBQ sauce for amazing barbecue every time!

Prep TimePrep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total timeTotal Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield 2 cups

Author Traci Antonovich

4.98 from 45 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce can) Unseasoned Tomato Sauce or Tomato Puree
  • ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • ¼ cup Honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Molasses or brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Onion Powder or dehydrated onion
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions

  • Combine ALL ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat just until boiling, stirring as needed.

  • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 15 minutes, or longer for thicker sauce, stirring as needed.

  • Serve immediately or cool to room temperature and use as needed.

  • To store, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week or freeze up to 90 days. To reheat, cover and heat using a medium setting on a microwave or stove, stirring as needed.

Final step

Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.

4.98 from 45 votes

Recipe Notes

  • texture - You can thicken BBQ sauce by simply cooking it a little longer to reduce the liquid. To make a thinner sauce, add a splash of water as needed to adjust the consistency.
  • make-ahead - This recipe is delicious on the first day and the flavor only gets better by the day, so feel free to make ahead!
  • storing and freezing - Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate up to 5 days in an airtight storage container. Freeze BBQ sauce up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  • See recipe variations for ingredient substitutions.

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!Follow @thekitchengirl on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag #thekitchengirl. This always makes my day!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Course Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

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Comments

  1. Dave Sundberg says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (9)
    This is so good. Now our family favorite. I have made several batches and love it. I have a pot simmering right now getting ready for Christmas. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yayy!! I'm so honored to inspire your family fav! It's honestly the only BBQ sauce we ever use LOL. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. Happiest holidays to you and yours!

  2. Paul says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (10)
    simply great. I have made it sauce per the recipe and several variations on it (adding bourbon and more molasses, some cayenne, and other spice) all have been great

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay!! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Love your add-ins too. Thanks for sharing your experience!

  3. Marie says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (11)
    Very easy to prepare and delicious!
    Try adding whiskey ….. yummy

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed and I love your suggestion. YUM! Thanks for sharing!

  4. John Tretter says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (12)
    Excellent

    Reply

    • Traci says

      I'm glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to leave a rating!

  5. Bill says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (13)
    Nice sauce subbed minced fresh onion, A-1 sauce and used balsamic vinegar. Sooo good ! Thanks for sharing this. Never going back to store bought.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      I'm glad to hear it you're enjoying the recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience!

  6. JB says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (14)
    Just polished off a batch of this - again! There is no need to ever buy sauce when your homemade bbq sauce is THIS good!! Actually, you need to bottle it and put your label on it. Facts.

    Reply

  7. Andrea says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (15)
    Never buying bottled sauce again. This is amazing. I'm using it for a culinary school assignment. We had to create a healthy contemporary sauce and I think this will do the trick.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Awesome Andrea! I'm so glad you gave it a try. We love it too and we also haven't had the need to buy the packaged stuff LOL. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy! 🙂

  8. Quinn C says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (16)
    This was really good and so easy! I subbed liquid aminos for the worcestershire sauce and didn't have molasses/brown sugar. I added some diced habaneros for heat. I really liked the tang of this sauce and will definitely make it again.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hiya, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Yes, it's so versatile for substitution. I like your choices. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!

  9. Jeff says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (17)
    Wow! This bbq sauce is sooooo good on your Pulled Pork Sliders and well, it belongs on any BBQ food. Perfectly seasoned and balanced flavor. Just so good!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Awesome, Jeff! I'm so glad you love the pork sliders as much as I do 🙂 The BBQ sauce makes it imo! Thank youuuuu

  10. Claudia Lamascolo says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (18)
    Wow I am bookmarking this for the summer can't wait for grilling season and trying this recipe!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Awesome, Claudia! Glad you can enjoy this recipe 🙂 Thanks!

  11. Jess says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (19)
    Never buying store-bought sauce again!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Lol...samesies! Homemade bbq sauce is where it's at! 🙂 Thanks!

  12. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (20)
    This is so thick and delicious. I love the idea that I have all these ingredients at home already.

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Awesome! Glad you like this recipe 🙂 and so convenient, right? Thanks!

  13. Dannii says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (21)
    You can't beat homemade BBQ sauce. We love chilli in ours.

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Yay! Glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks!

  14. Jess says

    Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (22)
    Yum, this is absolutely delicious!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Awesome, Jess! Sounds like you love it as much as we do 🙂 Glad to hear it...thanks!

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

FAQs

How to make BBQ sauce taste homemade? ›

What To Add To Store-Bought BBQ Sauce?
  1. Spices like: Smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, coriander, onion powder.
  2. Fresh herbs like: rosemary, oregano, parsley.
  3. Chipotle chilis in adobo.
  4. Harissa.
  5. Kimchi.
  6. Bacon bits.
  7. Sautéed onions or Jalapeños.
  8. Mop sauce or vinegar.
Mar 8, 2023

What thickens BBQ sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

How does Gordon Ramsay make BBQ sauce? ›

For the BBQ sauce:
  1. 350g ketchup.
  2. 1 medium white onion diced.
  3. 70ml water.
  4. 80g soft brown sugar.
  5. 50g smoked paprika.
  6. 80g cider vinegar.
  7. 30g strong coffee (espresso is preferable)
  8. Splash of olive oil.

What makes BBQ sauce taste like BBQ sauce? ›

The ingredients vary depending on where you are world, but most barbecue sauces include vinegar or tomato paste as a base, liquid smoke flavouring, onion, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar, honey or molasses.

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Ingredients vary, but most include vinegar or tomato paste (or a combination) as a base, as well as liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

Does homemade BBQ sauce thicken as it cools? ›

Also, if the sauce is tempature hot, remember that it will thicken as it cools. The other thing you can do is add tomato paste if you're cooking a “red” sauce. Originally Answered: How to make BBQ sauce thicker? you can use a number of thickeners like flour or cornstarch to thicken up any sauce that isn't thick enough.

How do you doctor up barbecue sauce to make it better? ›

Onion powder, cumin, garlic, peppers: these are all go-to flavors for amping up the flavor profile of a too-bland, too-generic barbecue sauce. My two personal favorite ingredients to add are Worcestershire sauce and plain yellow mustard.

How do you add depth to BBQ sauce? ›

Create depth by adding dark chocolate and coffee to your barbecue sauce. These two, feature a bitter-sweet combo that can truly enhance the blend of spices and flavors present in your bottled barbecue sauce. Enhance your Barbecue Sauce using almost anything, including your favorite beer.

What is the most common ingredient in BBQ sauce? ›

The base ingredients of barbecue sauce usually include tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, and sweeteners, such as molasses or brown sugar. Other common ingredients include Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion powder, and various spices, which can include paprika, cumin, and chili powder.

What are the ingredients in Guy Fieri's BBQ sauce? ›

Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste, Water), Sugar, Vinegar, Molasses, Cornstarch, Salt, Smoke Flavoring, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Sugar, Spices, Anchovy Puree (Fish), Natural Flavor (Soy), and Tamarind), Pepper, Caramel Coloring, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.

Is tomato paste or ketchup better for BBQ sauce? ›

A good barbecue sauce starts with tomatoes, sweetener, mustard, and spices. Most homemade barbecue sauces start with ketchup, but I prefer to strip it back further and start with a small can of tomato paste. It's usually under $2, and it's easy to keep stocked in your pantry.

What cuts the ketchup taste in BBQ sauce? ›

Tomato paste thinned down with cider vinegar, chicken or beef stock and brown sugar works for many BBQ sauces. This has all the flarvours ketchup brings without the taste you are worried about.

Is barbeque sauce healthier than ketchup? ›

BBQ sauce

It's a staple of summer cookouts, but barbecue sauce could be another source of unexpected salt, sugar and calories. In fact, BBQ sauce contains even more sugar than ketchup: One tablespoon has more than seven grams of sugar.

How do you make homemade sauce taste? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

Is it worth making your own BBQ sauce? ›

Skip the store-bought stuff! Homemade barbecue sauce is delicious, incredibly versatile, and oh-so easy to make with pantry staples. Trust us — you're going to want to bookmark this top-rated recipe for classic barbecue sauce.

How do you make food taste like BBQ? ›

Use Smoky Spices/Seasonings

Bacon salt and smoked salts can also flavor things up. Add these spices to your food directly or to a rub, sauce, or marinade. Until warmer, brighter days appear, may you find enough indoor grilled flavor to get you through.

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