This homemade BBQ sauce recipe can be used in so many ways, and is great to always have on hand. This classically flavored sauce is blended with the perfect amount of sweetness, tang, and hint of smoke.
Whether you are basting meat, flavoring a recipe, or serving this as a dip, you won’t be able to get enough of this sauce! Considering how quickly we go through a bottle of bbq sauce at our house, it was time to have a recipe on hand to make my own. Making BBQ sauce from scratch is very easy. Simply whisk all of the ingredients together, let it simmer, and blend it to the consistency you desire.
There are endless options of bbq sauce at the store. People have strong opinions about what a BBQ sauce should taste like, and flavor preferences tend to depend on the region you live in. The great thing about this recipe is that it’s really well balanced and can be customized further to achieve the exact taste you are looking for.
Ingredients in BBQ Sauce
This recipe combines the following ingredients to give you a balanced sauce that is absolutely delicious. All of the ingredients are common items that you probably already have on hand.
- Tomato Sauce – acts as the base for your sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – provides a hint of tang to balance out the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar and Molasses – both ingredients will help sweeten the recipe.
- Worcestershire Sauce – gives the sauce a savory, smoky flavor.
- Lemon Juice – adds a touch of acidity.
- Salt, Chili Powder, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika – these common spices are combined to season this recipe to perfection.
- Water – used to thin the sauce and give it the perfect consistency.
- Liquid Smoke – (optional) I use this to get the delicious smoky flavor.
How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
To make this BBQ sauce, start by whisking all ingredients together in a medium pot. Next, bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer it for 30-35 minutes to thicken, stirring occasionally.
Once the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Finally, blend the BBQ sauce for about 30 seconds to achieve a smoother texture. Enjoy warm or allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for later use.
Best Ways To Use BBQ Sauce
If you ask my family, BBQ sauce goes on anything. My kids believe it’s a necessary dipping sauce for anything from pizza to chicken nuggets. This recipe is definitely versatile, but I think it pairs best with grilled chicken, burgers, and ribs. Below you will find a few main dishes that would taste great with this BBQ sauce.
FAQ
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade bbq sauce will stay good for up to 2 weeks.
This recipe closely resembles a Kansas City BBQ Sauce sales since it’s slightly sweet and tangy.
BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup mollasses unsulphured
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt fine
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium pot and whist together. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes to thicken, stirring occasionally. Once thickened, turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Once cooled, blend the BBQ sauce for an even smoother texture. This step is optional but will give you a consistency much like a store bough sauce.
- Store in an airtight container or jar for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Once the sauce has cooled slightly, blend it to achieve a smooth texture resembling a store bought sauce.
- If you want to add some extra spice, add a few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce.