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Easy BBQ sauce

Easy BBQ Sauce

Course: Sauce
Cuisine: BBQ / Southern
Keyword: authentic BBQ sauce, Barbecue, Homemade BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 117kcal
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!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar dark
  • ½ cup yellow mustard
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 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

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 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)
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