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    Home » Recipes » Condiments and Sauces » Homemade Barbecue Sauce recipe

    PUBLISHED: June 17, 2020 • By Toni Dash 24 Comments

    Homemade Barbecue Sauce recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    pint Mason jar of homemade barbecue sauce with chicken on sheet pan in background

    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.

    pint Mason jar of homemade barbecue sauce with chicken on sheet pan in background

    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!

    homemade barbecue sauce in jar with chicken

    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)

     

    barbecue sauce ingredients

    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!

    homemade barbecue sauce with spoon

    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.

    ingredients for homemade barbecue sauce in a sauce pan

    STEP 2: Remove from heat. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for use. NOTE: sauce will thicken as it cools.

    barbecue sauce on spoon cooking

    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.

    brushing barbecue sauce on a chicken drumstick

    How to Use it

    Ribs

    If using for ribs:

    1. Bake the ribs in a pan covered in aluminum foil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to within 30 minutes of being done.
    2. Remove from the oven and pour or brush the sauce over the ribs.
    3. Return to oven, uncovered, and bake an additional 30 minutes.

    Barbecue Chicken

    If using to barbecue chicken:

    1. Place the chicken, breast side down, in a covered baker or roasting pan.
    2. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the majority of fat drippings have gathered in the bottom of the pan.
    3. Remove the chicken from the oven and drain off the fat drippings.
    4. 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.

    barbecue sauce in jar with basting brush

    Chicken Wings

    To make party-style chicken wings:

    1. Pour half the recipe into a jar with a lid and refrigerate for future use.
    2. Coat the wings in flour and deep fry.
    3. Drain them on paper towels.
    4. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.
    5. Dip each wing piece in the barbecue sauce and allow the excess to drain off.
    6. Place on the foil-lined pan and repeat until all wing pieces have been dipped.
    7. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.

    Basting Grilled Meats

    You can also use this sauce for basting on an outdoor grill.

    1. Let your meat cook slightly beyond the halfway point of being done.
    2. 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.

    barbecue sauce in jar with chicken in background

    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
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    pint Mason jar of homemade barbecue sauce with chicken on sheet pan in background

    Homemade BARBECUE SAUCE

    Sweet and tangy Barbecue Sauce is fast and easy to make at home! Use it on grilled meat, pizza, sandwiches and loads of other things.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 12 1/4-cup servings (3 cups total yield)
    Calories: 125kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    The sauce will thicken as it cools and when chilled.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Chicken Souvlaki recipe
    Dry Rub for Ribs »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brandie says

      February 03, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      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

      Reply
    2. Katie says

      June 22, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    3. Kevin says

      June 19, 2020 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Perfect for grilling this weekend! So glad I saw this!

      Reply
    4. Jessica says

      June 18, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Need to make this for our cookout!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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