Ready in just 15 minutes, this Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is the perfect way to add big flavor to any dish. Use it on chicken or pork, add it to burgers, or use it as a dip for fries and more. The possibilities are endless!
The Best BBQ Sauce Recipe
Making your own BBQ sauce is surprisingly easy and gives you complete control over the flavor. This recipe has the classic combination of sweet, tangy, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors, and you can easily adjust the brown sugar or cayenne to make it just the way you like it. Everyone has a favorite, and this Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce is right at the top of the list!
It takes just a few minutes on the stove and uses ingredients I usually have in the pantry. I love it on ribs and chicken, while my boys use it as a dipping sauce for fries, nuggets, and just about anything else they can dunk in it.
Ingredients Needed
Making this easy barbecue sauce recipe at home requires just a handful of ingredients. Check the recipe card below for full measurements.
- Ketchup – Ketchup serves as the base of the BBQ sauce. Use any brand of traditional ketchup that you like or make our easy homemade ketchup recipe.
- White vinegar – White vinegar adds that tangy flavor. Apple cider vinegar can work too, but will change up the flavor.
- Brown sugar – We used light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar is a good option if that’s what you have on hand and will add a richer molasses flavor. (Ideal if you like sweeter BBQ sauces!)
- Yellow mustard – Adds more of a tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce – A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds umami undertones and extra depth to the flavor.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt add even more flavor to the BBQ sauce.
How To Make BBQ Sauce
Learning how to make homemade BBQ sauce couldn’t be easier. Just combine everything in a saucepan and simmer for 6–8 minutes until the sauce thickens. The entire recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt to a medium saucepan. Whisk until combined.
- Simmer. Cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer, stirring often. Continue simmering for 6–8 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Cool or serve. Remove from the heat and use immediately, or allow the BBQ sauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Variations
There are a million ways to customize your homemade BBQ sauce. Here are a few easy suggestions.
- Use white pepper. Instead of black pepper, try using white pepper. It adds nice flavor but has a smoother, more powder-like texture than cracked black pepper.
- Increase the heat. If you like your BBQ sauce extra spicy, add more cayenne pepper to taste. You can also add a splash of hot sauce if desired.
- Adjust the sweetness. Sweeten the sauce the way you like it! More sugar for a sweeter BBQ sauce or less sugar if that’s what you prefer Honey works great as a sweetener if you don’t want to use more brown sugar.
- Switch up the seasonings. Instead of onion powder, try garlic powder or smoked paprika. Adjust the amounts of each seasoning to your preference.
- Give it a smoky undertone. For BBQ sauce with a smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to your list of ingredients.
- Try a soda-based BBQ sauce. For a sweeter twist, try my Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce. It’s made with Dr Pepper, brown sugar, and liquid smoke for a sweet and smoky flavor that’s especially good with ribs, pulled pork, and grilled meats.
Is This Homemade BBQ Sauce Spicy?
This homemade BBQ sauce has a little heat from the cayenne pepper, but I wouldn’t consider it overly spicy. The brown sugar balances the vinegar, mustard, and cayenne to give the sauce a sweet and tangy flavor with a little kick.
For a milder BBQ sauce, reduce the cayenne. If you like it spicy, add a little more cayenne or your favorite hot sauce.
Serving
If you ask anyone in this house, they’ll tell you that BBQ sauce goes with pretty much anything. Just like ketchup, it’s a condiment that has a permanent spot in our fridge. This BBQ sauce recipe can be used as a marinade, sauce, or dip. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- BBQ pulled chicken (or pork).
- BBQ chicken quesadillas.
- Other cuts of meat, like chicken thighs, pork ribs, grilled chicken, etc.
- As a condiment on burgers and sandwiches.
- BBQ chicken pizza.
- BBQ meatballs.
- As a dip for French fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, etc.
How To Store Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- Storing. Since this homemade BBQ sauce isn’t shelf-stable, keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. You’ll need to keep it in an airtight container (I prefer jars with lids) in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days, so you can use it throughout the week on different dishes.
- Freezing. Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. I like freezing it in smaller portions using an ice cube tray so I can thaw only what I need. Freeze the BBQ sauce for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving.
More Sauce Recipes
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Alabama White Sauce
- Fry Sauce (4 Ways)
- Yum Yum Sauce
- Homemade Pizza Sauce
- Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together all ingredients. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer, stirring often.
- Simmer for 6-8 minutes until thickened, then remove from the heat.
- Use the sauce immediately or pour into an airtight food storage container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
Last Step:
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64 comments on “Homemade BBQ Sauce”
Just made it. Tastes great!
Thanks Gina!
Hello! Would you be able to water bathe this recipe to make it shelf stable?
Hi Phylisha. I have not tried it with this recipe but I believe this is acidic enough to do so however I would use a recipe with fresh tomatoes for canning.
I made this tonight to go on baked pork chops. It was so delicious. I didn’t have any cayenne pepper so I used paprika.
Thank you Mechell!
Love this recipe use to make sloppy joes
Thank you Lori!
Me too and it’s delicious!
Thanks Debbie!
The best! I make it every time I smoke something. I can’t eat store bought now!❤️
Yay! Thank you Jill!
So easy to make with all the ingredients I had on hand. I will never buy a store bought bbq sauce.
Thanks Krystyna!
I make this BBQ sauce all the time. Everyone loves it, I even have to give some away. It’s awesome
Thank you Marsha!
I went a tad bit over on the brown sugar to cut the butter of vinegar and it turned out awesome
Thank you Karrie!
This recipe is absolutely amazing. I didn’t have regular white vinegar so I had to substitute for white wine vinegar and it just came out tasting really amazing.
Thank you Debbie!