Barbecue sauce adds flavorful sweet and smoky notes to grilled meats, sandwiches, dips, and more. While you can purchase bottled barbecue sauce at the grocery store, homemade BBQ sauce allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your taste. Making BBQ sauce at home is surprisingly easy. With just a few pantry staples and basic techniques, you can whip up a delicious sauce in no time.

Ingredients Needed to Make BBQ Sauce

Barbecue sauce starts with a tomato base for tangy flavor. To make BBQ sauce, you’ll need:

Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes – Use one 28-ounce can. Tomato sauce provides thickness, while crushed tomatoes offer chunks of tomato for texture.
Brown sugar – 1/2 to 1 cup lends sweetness. Dark brown sugar has deeper molasses notes than light brown sugar.
Apple cider vinegar – 1/4 to 1/2 cup gives acidity to balance the sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce – 2 to 4 tablespoons provides savory umami flavor.
Smoky seasoning – 1 to 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or liquid smoke.
Spices and herbs – Such as garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, mustard powder, black pepper, and dried oregano.
Thickeners (optional) – Cornstarch, tomato paste, or molasses help create a thicker texture.
Fat (optional) – 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter or oil to add richness.

Easy Steps to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

Making your own BBQ sauce takes just a few easy steps:

1. Cook aromatics

In a saucepan, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic, onion, and spices for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Add tomato base and vinegar

Pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. Add apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and any liquid smoke or smoked paprika.

3. Simmer and reduce

Let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes. The sauce will reduce and thicken.

4. Season and add sugar

Stir in brown sugar a little at a time until the sweetness tastes balanced. Season with salt, pepper, and any other spices.

5. Thicken (optional)

For a thicker sauce, whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water. Simmer 5 more minutes.

6. Finish and adjust flavor

Remove from heat and stir in 1-2 tablespoons of molasses or honey for shine and viscosity. Taste and add more vinegar, sugar, or spices as desired.

That’s it! With these simple steps, you can create a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce to use right away or store in the fridge.

Tips for Customizing Your BBQ Sauce

Barbecue sauce recipes allow for plenty of creativity. Try these tips:

Sweetness – For sweeter sauce, use more brown sugar or honey. For less sweetness, cut back on the sugar.
Smokiness – Amp up the smoky flavor with more liquid smoke, smoked paprika, or chipotle peppers.
Spiciness – Add a kick with hot sauce, cayenne, red pepper flakes, or other dried chiles.
Fruit – Stir in chopped pineapple, mango, peach, or apricot for a fruity twist.
Herbs – Swap dried oregano for fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, or cilantro.
Vinegar – Substitute balsamic, red wine, rice wine, or white wine vinegar for a tangy change.
Extras – Try a spoonful of mustard, ketchup, salsa, coffee, or bourbon for unique flavors.

Different Types of BBQ Sauce

There are 4 main styles of barbecue sauce, each with their own ingredients and flavor profiles:

Kansas City Style

Sweet and tangy – It has a base of molasses or honey and tomato sauce.
Thick and sticky – Often finished with cornstarch for thickness.
Spiced – Black pepper, mustard powder, garlic, and oregano.

North Carolina Style

Vinegary – Made primarily with cider vinegar for pronounced tang.
Peppery – Spiked with red or black pepper.
Thin texture – No tomatoes added, so it’s thin and light.

South Carolina Style

Mustard-based – Prepared yellow mustard and vinegar provide tang.
Spicy and sweet – With additions of brown sugar and hot sauce.
Thick texture – Simmered longer to reduce.

Texas Style

Tomato-based – Ketchup or tomato sauce lend sweetness.
Smoky – Molasses and lots of black pepper.
Medium thickness – Slightly reduced on the stove.

While recipes vary by region, the techniques are generally the same. Start with a tomato, vinegar, or mustard base, then add sweeteners, spice blends, and thickeners until you reach the perfect flavor and texture.

Recipe for Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

This homemade barbecue sauce comes together quickly with pantry staples. Feel free to customize the ingredients to your preferences.

Ingredients

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
1⁄4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Steps

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly.
Remove from heat and taste. Adjust sweetness with more sugar or tanginess with more vinegar as desired.
Let sauce cool completely before using or storing. Keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

This easy homemade barbecue sauce recipe makes about 1 1⁄2 cups, perfect for grilling chicken, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and much more. The ingredients can be adjusted to create your ideal sweet, tangy, and smoky BBQ sauce flavor. Slather it on all your favorite barbecued meats and sides.

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Sauce

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Homemade barbecue sauce will keep for 1-2 weeks refrigerated in an airtight container. For longer shelf life, barbecue sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Should BBQ sauce be refrigerated?

Yes, it’s best to refrigerate opened barbecue sauce to prevent bacteria growth and spoilage. Unopened bottled barbecue sauce can be stored in the pantry until opened.

What’s the difference between BBQ sauce and steak sauce?

While both are used as meat sauces, the main differences are:

BBQ sauce is tomato-based with a blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. Steak sauce often contains more umami ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, etc.
BBQ sauce is thicker, while steak sauce has a thin, pouring consistency.
BBQ sauce smokes and chars nicely when grilling. Steak sauce is typically added after cooking.

Can I use BBQ sauce as a marinade?

Absolutely! The high sugar content and acidity in barbecue sauce makes it an excellent meat marinade. Marinate beef, chicken, pork, or veggies in BBQ sauce for added flavor. Just be aware the sugars may burn quickly on the grill, so baste/glaze it on towards the end of cooking.

What meats go best with BBQ sauce?

Classic barbecued meats that pair deliciously with BBQ sauce include brisket, pulled pork, chicken thighs and legs, beef ribs, smoked sausages, and burgers. Really any grilled or smoked meat benefits from a brush, smear, or drizzle of barbecue sauce added towards the end of cooking or when serving.

Conclusion

Barbecue sauce is easy to make at home with tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, sweeteners like brown sugar and molasses, and your favorite blend of spices. Simmer the ingredients together on the stovetop to meld the flavors and reach the desired consistency. Customize your homemade BBQ sauce to be tangy, sweet, smoky, or spicy. Brush it on grilled or smoked favorites like burgers, ribs, chicken, and pulled pork sandwiches. With this simple recipe and guide, you can become a barbecue sauce pro in no time. Now fire up that grill and get ready to slather on your signature homemade sauce.

How to Make Easy BBQ Sauce