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Home » Recipe Index » Rubs, Spices and Sauces

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Published: Feb 22, 2015 · Modified: Mar 2, 2025 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

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Homemade BBQ Sauce is so good, and really so easy.

You’ll probably have everything you need already in your pantry.  The taste is authentic and it literally comes together in only about 20 minutes! We use it on our BBQ ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and BBQ brisket sandwiches!

A small glass pitcher pouring easy homemade BBQ sauce over cooked baby back ribs.

HOW TO MAKE EASY HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE

Preparing this amazing sauce could not be easier.

All you have to do is add all the ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium heat and then simmer for about 15 minutes.

And that’s all there is to it! It’s now ready to use immediately, or store for later use.

Homemade BBQ sauce being pour over a brisket in a Crock-Pot slow-cooker for BBQ brisket sandwiches.

We just love everything about barbecue. Including reading about its amazing origins.

This Homemade BBQ Sauce is the key to truly knock-out BBQ taste…right at home.

EXPERT TIP: Store the sauce in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze it for up to 3 months!

Slow Cooker Ribs recipe

We can’t rave enough about this Homemade BBQ Sauce. We use in on so many dishes, including Incredible Slow-Cooker Baby Back Ribs, Best-Ever BBQ Shrimp, and Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork!

This make-at-home recipe is so easy and wonderful in taste. You’ll never buy store-bought variety again! It’s that good!

And when you make an amazing dish using this incredible bbq sauce, take a photo, post it to Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howotofeedaloon!

Easy BBQ sauce

Easy BBQ Sauce

This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce is just that, easy...but really, really delicious. Perfect for slow cooker ribs and Southern Grilled BBQ Shrimp.  You'll never buy the store-bought variety again! It's really that good!
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: BBQ / Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 117kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar dark
  • ½ cup yellow mustard
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup steak sauce A-1 is just fine
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce like Tobasco, Franks, or Louisiana
  • 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Mix the chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, steak sauce, molasses, honey, and hot sauce. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring often, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the chili mixture and stir until the onions are coated. Sauté for about 2 minutes.
  • Carefully pour the ketchup mixture into the skillet and stir to fully combine. Bring to a simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.
  • If desired, strain the sauce through a sieve or colander. Let cool and then transfer to vessel with lid. The sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

NOTE: This recipe was updated in June, 2022.  Here is the previous recipe if you are looking for it:
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (ancho, or regular)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoon hot sauce (like Crystals, Tobasco, or Franks)
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
  • 2 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool.
 
Cooked (and cooled) sauce can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and frozen for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

More Condiments

  • A spoon filled with Carolina mustard sauce being raised from a jar filled with the sauce with a sliced brisket nearby.
    Carolina Mustard Sauce
  • An overhead view of a colorful bowl filled with a thick Thai sweet chili sauce and topped with chopped scallions and is on a plate filled with crispy coconut shrimp.
    Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
  • An overhead straight-down view of a small white bowl filled with fresh mango salsa with tortilla chips and limes wedges surrounding it.
    Homemade Mango Salsa
  • A close-up view of a small silver condiment vessel filled with homemade honey mustard dipping sauce surround by chicken tender.
    Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Comments

  1. Nancie Lewis says

    July 21, 2024 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    Okaaay… this BBQ Sauce is legit!

    A friend of ours gave us some pork baby back ribs and I searched Pinterest for a good slow-cooker method and found you. I know, I know, it’s summer and we could be using the grill, but I have stuff to do and I want dinner ready when I want it, know what I mean?
    So, we’re slow-cooking the ribs according to your recipe tomorrow. I made the rub already and just finished the BBQ Sauce. Good Lord! You aren’t kidding when you suggest making a double batch – it IS that good! Thank you and following you immediately for more recipes! Cheers from Colorado!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      July 25, 2024 at 3:10 pm

      Hi Nancie!! Woo hoo!! We are soooo thrilled you are loving the BBQ sauce recipe! Let us know how the ribs turned out!!! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Camille Wells says

    March 10, 2024 at 1:47 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome sauce!!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 13, 2024 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Camille! Woo hoo! So so happy you made the BBQ sauce and loved it! We love it, too! Thank you so much for sharing and for the great review!!! xoxo

      Reply
  3. Katrine L Alfstad says

    December 03, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    5 stars
    You guys are my favorite! This BBQ sauce is amazing! Made the updated version to a T! Oh my goodness, yum!

    Making your guy’s slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with this BBQ and will turn it into your sauce with your amazing cole slaw!

    I cannot wait for dinner tonight. It has smelled devine, all day!

    Thanks for the beautiful recipes, guys!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 04, 2023 at 12:05 pm

      Katrine! You have no idea how happy this makes us! You must have had a scrumptious FEAST!!! We hope you enjoyed it!! Keep us posted!! xoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  4. Amy says

    July 05, 2022 at 8:56 am

    Do you serve it cold from fridge? Room temp? Or heated?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      July 05, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      Hi Amy! We usually serve it room temp or slightly warmed. If your serving it with hot food, the cold BBQ sauce could be unappealing, but not really bad. We hope you try it and let us know what you think! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
      • Amy says

        July 16, 2022 at 5:57 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you so much! It was a great hit at our bbq!

  5. Khalinh Pham says

    June 06, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    Hi there, I noticed that the BBQ sauce recipe has been updated. Would you be able to share the old one that you had on previously?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 08, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      Hi there! We are so so sorry! We did recently update the recipe. It’s amazing, by the way, but we understand if you’re familiar (and prefer) the older version. We will get it and include it in the NOTES of the recipe card. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Mike says

    April 13, 2022 at 12:50 am

    Is 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar correct? I just made it and it’s incredible vinegary

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      April 14, 2022 at 11:55 am

      Hi Mike! So sorry for the delayed response here. We find that all the flavors mellow after the sauce cools down and chills for a while. We think the cider vinegar adds just the right amount of zip to the BBQ sauce, and we’re really sorry the quantity didn’t work for you! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  7. Carly says

    December 23, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    Hi! Just made it and it has a very strong chili powder flavor to it. Plan on using it tomorrow for your slow cooker ribs.. any way I can dilute that flavor??

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 24, 2020 at 10:42 am

      Hi Carly, you can add a little more ketchup and apple cider vinegar. It should really be okay as it cooks on the ribs. Hope this helps (and in time!). Merry Christmas!!

      Reply
  8. Di says

    July 10, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Hi Kris, Just wondering if this works for Beef Baby Back ribs as they are currently out defrosting and would there be any changes to the recipe. Cheers

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      July 10, 2020 at 4:29 pm

      Hi Di! Oh yes yes yes! We think our BBQ sauce is BEST on beef baby back ribs!!! I’d suggest preparing them the way you normally would, and then slather the sauce on in the last 30 minutes of cooking, and then serve more sauce on the side. You’re making me hungry!!!! Let us know how they turn out!!

      Reply
  9. Jyotsna Basu says

    April 27, 2020 at 11:33 am

    4 stars
    Excellent, made it today and really enjoyed it. Did not have molasses so replaced it with brown sugar.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      April 28, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      That is a perfect substitution!! We are so glad you enjoyed our BBQ sauce recipe and thanks so much for letting us know! We really appreciate that!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  10. Naytasia Cooper says

    March 18, 2020 at 12:17 am

    What if you don’t have liquid smoke is their a substitute

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 19, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      So sorry for the delayed response! Liquid smoke really doesn’t have a decent substitute. The sauce is so flavorful, you’ll still get a good BBQ sauce, even w/out the liquid smoke. We hope this helps and let us know if you make it and how it turns out!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  11. ⚡VIPMOD⚡FREE FIRE FLOATING HACK 1SHOT KILL HIGH JUMP AUTO BOOYAH CHEAT FREE FIRE .APK says

    October 22, 2018 at 1:41 am

    Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, thankyou .

    Reply
4.80 from 5 votes

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