Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

This easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe is so simple to make! It is so much tastier than the store-bought stuff, making it that much healthier to serve over your favorite meat, like pulled pork.

Tools Needed

Here are the key tools I use to make this recipe:

Whisk. Any size whisk will do for this great barbecue sauce recipe. I use a mini whisk, as it is convenient for this batch.

Small Sauce Pot. This recipe makes 2 ¼ cups of BBQ sauce, so a 1 qt sauce pot is perfect.

Wide Mouth Mason Jar. A mason jar is a great way to store BBQ sauce in the refrigerator. This wide-mouth mason jar holds 2 cups only and will work if you use the ¼ cup of BBQ sauce immediately.

Barbeque Sauce Ingredients

You already have most of these ingredients on hand in your pantry.

Ketchup. I use the no-sugar ketchup to make things a little healthier.

White wine vinegar. I like using white wine vinegar because it adds natural sweetness and less of a tang than the standard vinegar flavor. You can substitute with regular vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you prefer a more sour flavor profile.

Worcestershire Sauce. A little more natural sweet flavor and tang to enhance the sauce.

Brown Sugar. Add less or more brown sugar depending on your sweetness preference. Brown sugar gives the barbeque sauce a caramel-like flavor.

Dijon Mustard. With a deep spice flavor and a tang, dijon mustard adds more depth to the bbq sauce.

Paprika. Depending on the paprika you use or have on hand, you can add peppery notes and smoky tones.

Ground Black Pepper. Add some earthy notes that are pungent into the barbeque sauce.

Garlic Powder. Add a subtle, mild garlic flavor by using the garlic powder.

Onion Powder. A pungent, slightly sweet and a little bit of zest added to the sauce.

Water. Use water to dilute the concentrated sauce and distribute the flavors of the combined ingredients.

How to Make Bbq Sauce

This is the easiest barbecue sauce you will ever make, and it doesn't have all the extra stuff in the ingredient label.

1. Place all the ingredients in the small sauce pot and simmer for 15-30 minutes to combine the flavors. Whisk every 5-10 minutes.
2. Cool and transfer into the mason jar.

Easy peasy, right?!

What to Serve with Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce can be used in so many dishes. Here are some of my favorites:

Pulled Pork

Fall-Off the Bone Country Pork Ribs

Baby Back Short Ribs

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerator. Store homemade BBQ sauce in the refrigerator in a jar or an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Freezer. Barbecue sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer ziploc bag and freeze flat.

More Homemade Sauces and Condiments

Make your own sauces at home with real ingredients, and definitely be much healthier. Enjoy these recipes:

Homemade Mayonnaise

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