Homemade Barbecue Sauce

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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! 

This recipe was originally published in February 2017. It has been updated for content and photos. For a good laugh, scroll down below the recipe card and see what the old photo looks like!

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. 

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 1/4 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. 

What to Serve with Barbecue Sauce

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

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! 

4.92 from 12 votes

Print Rate

Course: sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 164kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 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:

1. Be sure to continue stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan;
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you'd like a little spice in your sauce;
3. Add a whole chipotle crushed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for more spice and a deeper flavor to the sauce;
4. For a tangier sauce, add in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;
5. Store it in a covered container in the fridge for about 10 days;
6. 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

Serving: 0.13cups | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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