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This Homemade Barbecue Sauce might just be the best you will ever have! It's smoky, sweet, tangy and comes together in just 5 minutes!
I have been making homemade Barbecue Sauce for as long as I can remember. The recipe came from my mom and I can tell you she has no idea where it came from. I'm sure we've tweaked it over the years too.
Better than anything I have found in the bottle, and so easy to make, this 7 ingredient sauce only takes about 5 minutes to make from start to finish. And it's AMAZING on dishes like this sous vide pulled pork.
There is no excuse to not make your sauce from scratch. You know I'm a bit lot lazy, and I don't even mind making this sauce. It is so much better than store bought, I can't even compare.
Ingredients
Liquid Smoke (affiliate link) is what gives this BBQ sauce its slightly smoky flavor. It can be very strong, so I don't recommend using more than what the recipe calls for.
The other ingredients are self explanatory and can be easily found at your local grocery store - the full list is included in the recipe card.
Step By Step Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until butter is melted.
Continue to stir until sauce starts to bubble. Remove from heat and let cool.
Transfer to a jar with a lid for storing.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to continue stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan;
- Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you'd like a little spice in your sauce;
- Add a whole chipotle crushed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for more spice and a deeper flavor to the sauce;
- For a tangier sauce, add in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;
- Store it in a covered container in the fridge for about 10 days;
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind the consistency may change slightly when using previously frozen sauce.
Serving Options
This homemade Barbecue Sauce is great with anything you would normally put BBQ sauce on. Try some of these ideas:
- Grilled chicken thighs or legs. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and grill about 4-5 minutes per side (internal temperature should be 160F degrees). Brush sauce on and chicken and turn several times until the sauce becomes caramelized and browned. Serve the chicken with extra sauce;
- Serve it drizzled over a baked potato with bacon, sour cream and chives;
- It's perfect when used on these Instant Pot Pork Ribs;
- Try it on this BBQ Chicken Pizza or this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
More Favorite Sauce Recipes
Avocado Crema - this creamy avocado sauce is made with bacon, chipotle peppers and sour cream. It is SOOO good;
Cajun Remoulade - Creamy, spicy and just perfect served with so many things;
Argentinian Chimichurri - if you're doing some grilling, this sauce is the perfect fresh and tangy accompaniment to grilled meats;
Thai Peanut Sauce - Spicy, peanutty, creamy and packed with Thai flavors, this sauce is also great for grilling OR dipping!
Nuoc Cham - this Vietnamese Dipping Sauce is a staple in many Vietnamese dishes. It's spicy, and filled with umami.
Did you make this homemade barbecue sauce? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons liquid smoke
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until butter is melted.
- Continue to stir until sauce starts to bubble. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to a jar with a lid for storing.
Video
Expert Tips:
- Be sure to continue stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan;
- Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you'd like a little spice in your sauce;
- Add a whole chipotle crushed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for more spice and a deeper flavor to the sauce;
- For a tangier sauce, add in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;
- Store it in a covered container in the fridge for about 10 days;
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind the consistency may change slightly when using previously frozen sauce.
Nutrition
William Champion
I use vinegar but no sugar. Like eastern North Carolina
Danielle
I love a good vinegar based BBQ sauce!
Zac
Amazingly easy and modifiable, a great roadmap. Homemade ketchup makes this recipe shine.
Danielle
So glad you enjoyed it!
Twelve
Thank you for sharing this homemade sauce recipe. It is the best BBQ sauce we’ve had, and like you said on your rib recipe page, way better than store bought. While making the sauce, my instincts said to use only one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, then finish the sauce and try it - I could always add the second tablespoon of W-sauce later. Sooooo glad I only used the one tablespoon. For us, it was perfect, and our guests totally agreed. We are all so happy that we finally have a BBQ sauce that is so fast and easy to make, from common ingredients, and doesn’t taste like the store bought. We enjoyed it with ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches.
Danielle
I am so glad you enjoyed it! This comment made my day 🙂 Have a great week!
Ashlyn @ F5 Method
This homemade barbecue sauce is in perfect time for summer! Also, I love that you shared that old photo along with the new one. We all look back and cringe at our old photography, but it's awesome to look back and reflect on how far we've come!!
Danielle
It totally is! Thanks Ashlyn!
Healthy World Cuisine
Let the grilling and chilling season begin. Thank you for this delicious recipe, so delicious on some many dishes. Your old photo is really not that bad. We are always our own worst critic. Wishing you a super weekend.
Danielle
Thanks so much 🙂
Jen
The liquid smoke really adds such a great flavor to this sauce. I'm never buying store bought again.
Danielle
It totally does!
Jas @ All that's Jas
It's so easy to make your own BBQ sauce! I need to stop being lazy and give this yummy sauce a go. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Danielle
Hope you get a chance to try it!
Julia
I love BBQ sauce, but never tried making it myself. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Danielle
You're welcome!
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites
I love how easy it is to make this BBQ sauce! My son prefers homemade (I can't blame him 🙂 - this is perfect!
Danielle
Easy is best!
Rhonda Albom
I didn't realize how easy it is to make BBQ sauce. I've got to try this.
Danielle
Hope you love it!
Patty T
Oh my gosh! Soooooo yummy!! I could drink this stuff!! 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Danielle
Thanks Patty!!