Epic Sweet & Smoky Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

BBQ sauce goes hand in hand with summer grilling. I think my household goes through gallons of the stuff. We slather it on everything from BBQ baby back ribs to BBQ chicken and pork. I even use it on grilled pizza, either as a garnish or as the base! I started making my own homemade BBQ sauce to a) save money and b) get the flavors exactly as I wanted them. This is my go-to recipe with simple ingredients that hit all the right notes, from sweet to savory, smoky to tangy, and even a little spicy.

If you haven’t made BBQ sauce from scratch, it’s time we change that!

About This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

• Easy. Way easier than you think. Combine everything into a saucepan, stir, simmer for 15 minutes, and voila. The best homemade BBQ sauce!
• Store it. This BBQ sauce recipe makes a big batch, about 3 to 4 cups worth, and it keeps in the fridge for weeks. You can even freeze it for later.
• Use it on everything. From chicken wings to tacos to all things grilled, baked, or otherwise, BBQ sauce brings so much flavor. It’s super versatile, and you can use it on all your favorite grilled meats, veggies, or as a dip for chicken tenders.
• Adapt the flavors. The best part about making condiments like BBQ sauce at home is that you can adjust the ingredients to suit your recipes or tastes. Make this sauce milder if you’re cooking for kids.

Key Ingredients

Almost all of the ingredients in this BBQ Sauce are pantry staples, and the ones that aren’t are available in most grocery stores or can be easily substituted. Here are some notes. Scroll to the recipe card for the exact amounts.

• Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste – I like to use low-sodium or no-salt-added tomato sauce and tomato paste instead of ketchup. Ketchup is a popular ingredient in BBQ sauce recipes, but it has so many added ingredients, including sweeteners, that I chose not to add it.
• Dijon Mustard – You could also use yellow mustard.
• Sweeteners – I love the flavors of my honey BBQ wings, so I sweeten this BBQ sauce with a combination of honey and brown sugar, with molasses to thicken things up. It reminds me of a Kansas City-style BBQ sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Adds nice depth of flavor to your sauce and makes it taste like it was cooked for hours. It’s my little chef’s trick. 🙂
• Liquid Smoke – Adds a “smoky” element. Find it in the condiment or spice aisle. You can use it again in marinades, or my carne asada tacos recipe!
• Apple Cider Vinegar – You could also use red or white wine vinegar, or distilled white vinegar.
• Spices – To really bring the flavor! Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, chili powder, chipotle chili powder, ancho chili powder, black pepper, and salt. If you don’t have chipotle and ancho chili powders, substitute these spices with sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne.

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

This sauce could not be easier to make. Just add everything to a small saucepan and simmer. No cooking in stages. It’s ready to serve in 15 minutes or less:

1. Combine the ingredients. Add all your ingredients to a saucepan.
2. Cook the BBQ Sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. You’ll see bubbles. Stir occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
3. Serve. You can use this homemade BBQ sauce right away or store it for later. See below for ways to use it as well as storage tips.

Easy Variations

The best part about making a Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is that you can adapt it to the way you like it. Here are some tips on changing up the flavor profile:

• Sweeter: Add more honey or brown sugar.
• Smokier: Extra liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
• Spicier: Add more chipotle chili powder. You could also add cayenne pepper, sriracha, or a couple dashes of hot sauce.
• Bourbon BBQ Sauce: Add 1/3 cup of Bourbon and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes longer to cook off the alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ways to Use Homemade BBQ Sauce

Alright, now you got the sauce. How do you use it? Well, you can use it in any recipe that calls for BBQ sauce. Here are some of my favorites:

• Chicken and wings: Baste grilled chicken, add it to these Hawaiian BBQ chicken foil packets, or use it to make this shredded Instant Pot BBQ chicken. You can also toss this sauce with chicken wings or BBQ cauliflower wings.
• Ribs and pork: Slather this sauce over a rack of ribs, or use it to make pulled pork sandwiches.
• Salad: Dress the chicken for this grilled BBQ chicken salad.
• Pizza: My son loves BBQ sauce on grilled pizza. Add it on top or use it in place of tomato sauce as the base of this steak pizza!
• As a dip: Serve BBQ sauce with chicken nuggets, tenders, or sweet potato fries for dipping.

How to Store It

• Refrigerate. Allow the BBQ sauce to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
• Freeze. Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe storage bag. Label it with the date and lay it flat in the freezer. BBQ sauce can be frozen for up to 4 months. To thaw, place the storage bag in the refrigerator overnight, and you’re ready to go.

More Homemade Sauces and Condiments

• Boom Boom Sauce
• 5 Minute Romesco Sauce
• Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
• Roasted Garlic Aioli
• Balsamic Vinaigrette