Dinner

Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipe

ByAiden Wells November 1, 2025November 1, 2025

Introduction

This homemade barbecue sauce is a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors that will elevate any grilled dish. It’s easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and can be customized to your taste. Whether you’re brushing it on ribs or using it as a dip, this sauce brings classic barbecue warmth to your table.

A close-up of a glass jar filled with thick, dark brown sauce with a smooth and slightly glossy texture, showing some small spices or pepper flakes within it. A rusty metal spoon is lifted above the jar, coated in the same deep brown sauce that clings to its surface. The jar rests on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred with light blue and white tones, giving a fresh simple look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup
1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup molasses
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Step 1: In a saucepan, whisk together all the ingredients until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
Step 2: Heat the saucepan over medium heat until the sauce comes to a boil, whisking frequently to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens and remains smooth.
Step 4: Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Tips & Variations

For a smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level—use less for a milder sauce or more for extra spice.
Try substituting molasses with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend it briefly with an immersion blender after cooking.

Storage

Store the barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Before using, give it a good stir. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave if needed for easier application.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a thick, dark brown sauce with a smooth texture and small specks throughout, resting on a piece of rough burlap fabric over a white marbled surface; a silver spoon above the bowl holds some of the sauce, showing its shiny and slightly sticky consistency with a drop about to fall back into the bowl, and a blurred light blue and white checked cloth in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this barbecue sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this sauce actually tastes better after the flavors meld for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.

Is this sauce suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes, all the ingredients are plant-based, but make sure to check your Worcestershire sauce brand as some contain anchovies. You can substitute with a vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce.