Sweet and tangy Homemade Barbecue Sauce is SO easy to make! It takes just 10 minutes and there are so many ways to use it! You’ll want a jar in the refrigerator all summer long.
The right barbecue sauce can make or break a recipe.
Getting the sweet-tangy balance just right makes the difference of a good grilling recipe or a GREAT grilling recipe!
This easy homemade barbecue sauce recipe gives every recipe a sweet tangy kick.
Keep a jar in the refrigerator ready whenever you need it!
This barbecue sauce recipe makes excellent barbecued ribs, barbecued chicken, and barbecued party style wings!
Recipe Ingredients
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Soy sauce (regular or gluten-free)
- ground Ginger
- Salt
- ground Mustard
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
Homemade Ketchup
Try the recipe with homemade ketchup! It adds delicious depth of flavor and you’ll want it on everything you use ketchup on too.
Worcestershire Sauce
This is a classic ingredient in BBQ sauce. It balances sweeter flavors to make a well-rounded flavor.
If you love sweet sauce, leave it out!
How to Make it Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free Soy Sauce or Tamari. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
How to Make it- Step-by-Step
STEP 1: Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to dissolve the sugar and blend all ingredients.
STEP 2: Remove from heat. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for use. NOTE: sauce will thicken as it cools.
How much does the recipe make?
3 cups of sauce.
Variations
Make it Spicier
If you love a spicy barbecue sauce add an 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Make it Smokier
Add a few dashed of Liquid Smoke or a similar brand of liquid smokiness.
Love a Sweet Barbecue Sauce?
If you love your BBQ sauce sweet, leave the Worcestershire sauce out. It serves to balance the sweetness.
How to Use it
Ribs
If using for ribs:
- Bake the ribs in a pan covered in aluminum foil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to within 30 minutes of being done.
- Remove from the oven and pour or brush the sauce over the ribs.
- Return to oven, uncovered, and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Barbecue Chicken
If using to barbecue chicken:
- Place the chicken, breast side down, in a covered baker or roasting pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the majority of fat drippings have gathered in the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and drain off the fat drippings.
- Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and return the covered roasting pan to the oven until the chicken is done.
Cheater BBQ Chicken: Baste a rotisserie chicken with the sauce, heat and serve.
Chicken Wings
To make party-style chicken wings:
- Pour half the recipe into a jar with a lid and refrigerate for future use.
- Coat the wings in flour and deep fry.
- Drain them on paper towels.
- Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.
- Dip each wing piece in the barbecue sauce and allow the excess to drain off.
- Place on the foil-lined pan and repeat until all wing pieces have been dipped.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
Basting Grilled Meats
You can also use this sauce for basting on an outdoor grill.
- Let your meat cook slightly beyond the halfway point of being done.
- Begin basting and continue basting and turning until the meat has finished cooking.
Use it Off the Grill
You can use this sauce on things like pizza or sandwiches like pulled pork. Try it in a grilled cheese sandwich with chicken.
It can also be tossed into recipe like chicken salad for a fun twist.
How Long Does it Last?
Store the barbecue sauce in a sealed quart size jar for up to a week.
More Grilling Recipes You’ll Love!
- Grilled Cheesy Sausage Pineapple Skewers
- Grilled Potatoes in Foil with Garlic and Parmesan
- Sticky Grilled Chicken Wings
- Grilled Kabob Recipes
- Chicken Souvlaki
Try These Recipes too!
- Shrimp Creole
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans with Bacon
- Lemon-Garlic Chicken Wings
- Mexican Cobb Salad
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Homemade BARBECUE SAUCE
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Ketchup
- 3/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce regular or gluten-free
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a low simmer stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly and pour into a glass jar. Seal and refrigerate.
Brandie says
This is a fantastic recipe that is sweet, savory and tangy. This sauce hits the spir . I substituted honey for light corn syrup left out the wirstishire doubled the soy sauce and brown sugar,substituted vinegar with lemon juice and it is sooo good. This is now my go to fir bbq sauce
Katie says
I am a huge fan of all things homemade- salad dressings, breads, etc… so this sauce is perfect! I love how easy it is to tweak if you want spicier or sweeter!
Kevin says
Perfect for grilling this weekend! So glad I saw this!
Jessica says
Need to make this for our cookout!
Kerri says
I’m already making a list of everything I can put this on!
Lyanna Soria says
I’ve never tried making my own barbecue sauce before but that looks quite delicious! I’d love to try this someday.
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
This barbecue sauce sounds incredibly delicious!! Waaay better than store bought! LOVE IT!
katerina @ diethood.com says
We love homemade barbecue sauce! This looks SO delicious!!
wilhelmina says
I love this sauce, it has the perfect sweet tang that works so well with grilled chicken!
Natalie says
This homemade sauce sounds absolutely delicious. I love how you added ginger. I MUST try this recipe. Thanks!
Laura says
This BBQ sauce is so delicious and I love how it’s healthier than store bought!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I know for sure this barbecue sauce would be a huge hit in my house!
Colleen Cayes says
This looks so good, I would like to just drink it straight! And so easy, all ingredients I love. Thank you.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I’ve made homemade barbecue sauce, but I’ve never added ginger to mine. I totally want to try it!
Amanda says
Thank you for sharing, there are so many things I want to try this with!
Beth says
This looks so delicious and better than any store bought! I can’t wait to make this!
Erin Sellin says
So much better than any bottled stuff! Great on so many things during the summer.
Lisalia says
So easy to make. Tasted amazing on traeger smoked chicken. Who needs store-bought sauce anyomre?!
Angela says
Tis the season for all things BBQ. This sauce is amazing. I like the options you provide to teak it a little based on individual taste.
Jessica Formicola says
I love making homemade condiments, and this bbq sauce look incredible! I can’t wait to try it out!
Jill says
I can’t believe this delicious sauce was ready in just 10 minutes. We’ll be making it a lot for sure!
Alexandria says
I’ve been looking for a new barbecue sauce to try but honestly hadn’t thought about making my own! I saw this as the perfect time. I’ll be trying it! Thank you!
Lauren Kelly says
I will never buy store bought again! Love this!
veenaazmanov says
Super delicious combination to making this delicious BBQ Sauce. Looks spicy and tangy and I am droolng.