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The Best Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Close-up of thick, glossy homemade bbq sauce with visible spice flecks in a small white dipping bowl.
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Make this sweet, smoky, and tangy homemade BBQ sauce from scratch in minutes using simple pantry staples. This recipe beats store-bought versions and is perfect for ribs, chicken, and grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a medium saucepan.
  2. Whisk the ingredients together until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
  6. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed (add more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tang).
  7. Transfer the homemade BBQ sauce to an airtight container. Let it cool completely before using.

Notes

  • You can easily make this a Kansas City style by increasing the brown sugar slightly.
  • For a Texas Style BBQ Sauce, reduce the sugar slightly and add a dash of liquid smoke if you do not have smoked paprika.
  • This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/easy-homemade-bbq-sauce-recipe/