Name: Best BBQ Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups ketchup ((I use and recommend one without high fructose corn syrup)); 1/2 cup brown sugar; 5 tablespoons molasses; 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard; 2 teaspoons liquid smoke ((optional but recommended)); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ((optional for heat)); water as needed for thinning

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Smoky, sweet, zesty and savory, this homemade BBQ sauce recipe is the ultimate! Ready in 15 minutes with the perfect balance of flavors, you’ll find yourself reaching for this sauce every opportunity you can get! Rich and bold, it’s just what you need for your backyard barbecue!

Bring this BEST BBQ Sauce to your next backyard BBQ served alongside these show-stopping Baked Beans, Creamy Coleslaw, Classic Potato Salad, and Macaroni Salad, and you’ll be the talk of the neighborhood!

A great BBQ sauce is indispensable for any backyard cookout. And have I got a terrific sauce for you! This homemade barbecue sauce recipe combines a variety of ingredients and spices to achieve the perfect balance of flavors: Sweet, tangy, zesty, spicy, savory, smoky…this sauce has it all! Rich and bold, it’s always a hit with our friends and family!

How to Use BBQ Sauce

Use this Best BBQ Sauce for any recipe calling for barbecue sauce. It’s versatile and can be used in any number of ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Here are a few ideas:

Grilling and Barbecuing: Brush this onto meats (chicken, ribs, pork, beef) during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling to add a delicious glaze.
Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, French fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Cajun Fries, Baked Potato Wedges, or other finger foods. For variation you can also mix BBQ sauce with a bit of mayonnaise, as with our Fry Sauce.
Pizza Topping: Spread it on the pizza dough and top with ingredients like chicken, red onions, and cilantro for a BBQ chicken pizza.
Baked Beans: Add a few tablespoons to your Baked Beans for some added smoky flavor.
Burgers, Slider, Pulled Pork or Chicken, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches and Wraps: Slather it on to make to add a sweet-spicy-smoky kick.
Meatloaf Glaze: Mix some BBQ sauce with a bit of ketchup and use it as a glaze for meatloaf before baking.
Stir-Fry Sauce: Create a unique stir-fry sauce for vegetables and chicken, pork, or tofu by combining BBQ sauce with soy sauce and a touch of honey.
Salad Dressing: Combine some BBQ sauce with olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of mustard for a flavorful salad dressing.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread or Quesadilla: Spread it on flatbread or tortillas, add shredded cooked chicken, cheese, and any desired toppings before cooking.
Glaze for Roasted Vegetables: Toss roasted vegetables in a mixture of BBQ sauce and olive oil for a sweet and savory glaze.

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Keep?

Stored in a sealed non-reactive container in the fridge, this will keep for 2-3 weeks. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Let’s get started!

Stir all of the ingredients together.

Bring the sauce to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

If you prefer the sauce thinner, stir in a little water. If you prefer it thicker, let it simmer for a few more minutes.

Let the sauce cool completely and then store it in a sealed non-reactive container in the fridge.

You can use it immediately or, for best results, let it chill overnight to give the flavors time to meld.

Enjoy!

For more delicious homemade sauces be sure to try our: