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!
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.
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!
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
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp 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 tsp hot sauce like Tobasco, Franks, or Louisiana
- 3 tbsp 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.
Video
Notes
- 2 cups ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tbsp dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (ancho, or regular)
- 1 tsp cumin (ground)1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp hot sauce (like Crystals, Tobasco, or Franks)
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (ground)
- 2 tbsp bourbon (optional)
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!
Hi Nancie!! Woo hoo!! We are soooo thrilled you are loving the BBQ sauce recipe! Let us know how the ribs turned out!!! xoxo
Awesome sauce!!
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
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!
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
Do you serve it cold from fridge? Room temp? Or heated?
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
Thank you so much! It was a great hit at our bbq!
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?
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!
Is 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar correct? I just made it and it’s incredible vinegary
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
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??
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!!
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
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!!
Excellent, made it today and really enjoyed it. Did not have molasses so replaced it with brown sugar.
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
What if you don’t have liquid smoke is their a substitute
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
Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, thankyou .