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    Home » Recipes » Recipe

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Published: Jun 22, 2018 · Modified: Jan 2, 2020 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe #bbq #condiment #barbeque #easy

    This robust Homemade BBQ Sauce is easy to make and dripping with bold flavors. Slather it on ribs, chicken, and all of your barbeque favorites!

    Excercise is like the fitness version of hell where you pay for all of your caloric sins and not having a close personal relationship with lean meats and vegetables. However I have never seen a skinny barbeque pitmaster, have you? They are pretty much fitness heathens who only worship flavor.

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Well if you are going to pack on the pounds, or sweat them off, make sure the calories were worth it. You can't go wrong with this intoxicatingly robust Homemade BBQ Sauce that is perfect for slathering all over your favorite barbequed meats and vegetables.

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    My Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is fairly assertive with aggressive doses of apple cider vinegar, mounds of black pepper, brown sugar, and enough molasses to deepen the flavor without being overpowering. I would describe the heat level as medium, which can easily be adjusted by adding more or less cayenne pepper. The heat really plays nicely with the sweetness of the brown sugar and molasses.

    Though I really enjoy the BBQ sauce recipe exactly as written, it is a great recipe to customize to fit your own tastes. Let me explain how.

    How to Make BBQ Sauce

    Any good BBQ sauce needs a tomato base, acidity, sweetness, a little spice, and salt. Ketchup makes a great tomato base, it is silky smooth, adds a great flavor, and already has sweetness built into it. Brown sugar and molasses also add sweetness to the sauce. If you like a less sweet sauce, feel free to subtract some brown sugar from the recipe. Likewise, if you like really deep flavors, such as those found in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, add more molasses. Molasses can even be eliminated if you like a lighter tasting sauce.

    Acidity is typically added not only by the tomato base but also with vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar is my favorite to use in BBQ sauces, but feel free to experiment with others such as red wine vinegar. You can further steer the flavor with seasonings and spice. I like smoked paprika for the smokiness it brings to the sauce, though some recipes will use liquid smoke instead. I do, however, think some level of spice is imperative to counteract the sweetness. Cayenne pepper is my choice, but jalapenos, serranos, and habaneros can all be used to tweak the total level of heat.

    Finally, you need salt to bring out the flavors. This can be done by simply salting the sauce, but adding a salty flavoring like Worchestershire or even Soy Sauce can bring an additional level of flavor while adding saltiness as well. In the end, all you have to do is keep these ideas in mind while you mix and match your favorite ingredients to draw out the flavors you love most!

    Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Do You Need to Cook BBQ Sauce

    Yes, any homemade BBQ sauce will be better if it is cooked. Simply gently simmering on the cooktop for a few minutes is all that is needed. If you do not cook it the sauce will be gritty and the flavors won't meld as all. Simmeringe will melt the brown sugar into the BBQ sauce and bring all of the flavors together.

    How to Store BBQ Sauce

    Homemade BBQ Sauce should be sealed and stored in the refrigerator until it is used. I recommend using mason jars, but you can buy sauce bottles as well if you prefer. It is also best to store the sauce in the fridge overnight prior to using it. Though it will taste great right out of the pot, storing it in the fridge overnight will allow the flavors to meld and the taste will evolve significantly.

    How Long Does BBQ Sauce Last

    BBQ sauce can typically last in the refrigerator for months. The sugar and acidity of the sauce act as preservatives, helping maintain the sauce integrity. Always make sure you are using fresh ingredients and clean storage vessels. The exact shelf life will vary depending on exactly what ingredients are used, particularly if fresh produce is incorporated.

    How to Make BBQ Sauce

    What to Use BBQ Sauce On

    This Homemade BBQ Sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled ribs, country style ribs, ribs in the oven, and of course my traditional 3-2-1 Ribs as well. However, don't just limit your BBQ to just ribs. Paint some on grilled chicken or add a dollop to pulled pork.

    Finally, it isn't just traditional cookout food this sauce would be great on.  Use it to dress up my BBQ Chicken Salad, Loaded Sweet Potatoes, or even a Healthy BBQ Pizza. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Homemade BBQ Sauce

    This robust Homemade BBQ Sauce is easy to make and dripping with bold flavors. Slather it on ribs, chicken, and all of your barbeque favorites!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 22
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups Ketchup
    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • ¾ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
    • ¼ cup Molasses
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons Dry Mustard
    • 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika (regular can be substituted if needed)
    • 2 teaspoons Black Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients into a saucepan, stir to combine, and gently simmer for 10 minutes.
    • Allow to cool slightly, pour BBQ sauce into mason jar, cover with lid, and store in the refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to meld. 

    Notes

    If you are in a hurry, you can enjoy this BBQ sauce right away rather than letting it rest in the fridge overnight, however the flavor will be better in ANY BBQ sauce recipe that sits overnight.
     
    THIS BBQ SAUCE would taste great on my BBQ Meatloaf recipe!

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 147mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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    If you enjoyed reading my Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe then you should probably like me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. That’s what I would do at least, because if you don’t get to know me but you still use my recipe it is kind of like taking candy from a stranger, and your mom taught you not to do that. Don’t disobey your mom, subscribe to Fox Valley Foodie today.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mara

      June 18, 2019 at 8:50 pm

      I halved the recipe to go with some leftover pulled pork from Father's Day. Hubby requested spicy so I added 2 pickled Serranos. It still seemed to vinegary needing just a squeeze more ketchup. Thanks for a everything on hand recipe.

      Reply
    2. Donna

      April 05, 2019 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Food Snob? I’ve been called that too! The day I stop appreciating “ANYONE” anywhere who enjoys my cooking is the day I stop cooking!!
      Loved your BBQ recipe!
      PS. I do whip up a “healthy “ thing or two, ( once or twice a year)... How about a delicious semi healthy After Dinner Drink for food snobs like us?
      Give this a try using amounts of each ingredient to your own personal taste (and of course any suggestions are welcome!). Using my own preference of amounts for 2 people, or just myself)

      1 container of low fat Coffee Yogurt
      1 - 2 Tbsp Sour Cream (regular no low-fat here)!
      1 - 2 Tbsp of Apricot Preserves ( any brand preferable. I
      Use Smuckers)
      1 Shot of your favorite Brandy!! Yum!
      ( I like to splurge on this and go to my secret stash of “Cuente Tres” or “43” in English)

      Whip it up nice and smooth. You can even add the Brandy to the drink after it’s poured - adding any amount you want.

      Hint: Adding the Brandy in your drink after it’s made and poured works best around here as the kids even love it as a desert! (Without my stash of course!)
      Be well,
      Snob #2

      Using a blender or by hand

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        April 08, 2019 at 7:30 am

        Thanks for the recipe, I look forward to trying it!

        Reply
    3. Mac Callaway

      October 03, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Just a quick question. Have you ever made this sauce in larger batches and processed it in a hot water bath for shelf storage? Do you think it would work?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        October 04, 2018 at 11:43 am

        I haven't. It would need to be tested to ensure safety.

        Reply
    4. Barbara

      June 24, 2018 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this had great flavor! Much better than store bought! I will definitely be making it again!

      Reply
    5. Jeff the Chef

      June 23, 2018 at 3:38 am

      That is the exact same beef I have with Giada: does she even eat? To your point, though she's no pit master.

      Reply

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