McDonald’s BBQ sauce is a sweet, tangy, and smoky sauce that perfectly complements burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries. Making a copycat version at home is easy with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Steps
Make the Sauce Base
- In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk thoroughly until fully combined.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, whisking frequently.
- Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
Finish and Store
- Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour before using. This allows the flavors to develop fully.
- Store leftover homemade McDonald’s BBQ sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Usage Tips
- Use the sauce to dip chicken nuggets, fries, or onion rings.
- Spread on burgers in place of ketchup for a tangy BBQ flavor.
- Toss with baked or grilled chicken pieces for easy weeknight meals.
- Stir a bit into mac and cheese or baked beans.
- Use as a sandwich spread or veggie dip.
- Drizzle over meatballs, ribs, or pork chops before baking.
FAQ
What is the best way to store this sauce?
Store the barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Allowing it to cool fully before storing will help it last longer.
Can I adjust the level of sweetness or smokiness?
Yes, you can tweak this recipe to suit your tastes. To make it less sweet, reduce the brown sugar by a tablespoon or two. For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika.
What is the purpose of simmering the sauce?
Simmering helps meld the flavors together and thickens up the sauce to the proper consistency. The sauce will be quite thin before simmering.
What can I serve this BBQ sauce with?
This versatile sauce pairs well with burgers, chicken, fries, nuggets, ribs, meatballs, pork chops, baked beans, veggies, and more. Get creative!
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Absolutely! Make a big batch and keep it handy in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It also freezes well for longer storage.
Conclusion
Recreating the tangy sweetness of McDonald’s BBQ sauce is easy with just a few pantry staples. Simmer up a batch to dip and drizzle over all your favorite foods. Adjust the flavors to your liking and enjoy this tasty sauce anytime. Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients. Now you can enjoy this addicting sauce whenever you crave it.