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A glass jar filled with barbecue sauce is centered, surrounded by pieces of grilled chicken on a white surface.
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4.56 from 52 votes

BBQ Sauce Recipe

This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky! It's perfect on chicken, beef, pork, and pizzas, and it's an excellent dipping sauce for chicken tenders and nuggets, too!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Sauces & Marinades
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 (3 cups total)
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce (I like no-salt-added tomato sauce)
  • 1 cup ketchup (see note)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (dark or light)
  • ⅓ cup molasses (I use a light molasses, not blackstrap)
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (more to taste)

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients using a spoon or small whisk.
    1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce, 1 cup ketchup, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup molasses, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons ground mustard, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, then reduce the heat to medium. Continue to simmer for at least 10 minutes, lowering the heat if necessary. Stir frequently, and cook until sauce is thickened slightly and somewhat darker in color.
  • Taste the sauce to make sure it’s to your liking. This BBQ sauce recipe leans more toward the tangy side, so if you like it sweeter, stir in extra sugar.
  • Use immediately, or let it cool slightly before using.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: After the sauce has cooled, transfer it to a small jar with a lid or a tightly covered bowl and refrigerate. It will last for at least a couple weeks, maybe more. Discard any BBQ sauce if you notice a change in consistency, color, or smell. You can also freeze BBQ sauce for up to six months. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container, allowing headroom for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
  • Ketchup substitute: If you prefer to make your sauce without ketchup, substitute an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce (so you’ll need one 15 ounce can as written in the recipe, and one additional 8 ounce can as a replacement for the ketchup). Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes instead of 10 because the tomato sauce is more watery. We’ve tested it both ways and the taste is very similar.
  • Smoky BBQ sauce: Increase the amount of smoked paprika to 1 teaspoon, or more, depending on taste.
  • Spicy BBQ sauce: Increase the amount of cayenne pepper, to taste. You can also add more chili powder. The spice level of chili powder can vary depending on what brand you buy. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

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