It's so easy to make our Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe and I bet you have what you need. It has the perfect balance of smokey, tangy, and sweet and we use it for marinating, dipping, and grilling.
Homemade BBQ Sauce is a Game Changer
We'e been doing a “make it, don't buy it” series on Instagram highlighting foods (like this BBQ sauce recipe) that are so much healthier, less expensive and easy to make yourself. Homemade Barbecue sauce tastes better than anything in a bottle and lasts in the fridge for weeks!
Slather it on Ribs, BBQ chicken, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, BBQ Chicken Pizza, and BBQ Chicken Tacos!
I was originally inspired by Mel's Kitchen Cafe's recipe back in 2017; this is any easy recipe to make your own by adjusting the seasonings to your preference! Add sweetness with honey or more brown sugar. Add more “smoky” flavor with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or even blend fire roasted tomatoes instead of tomato sauce. You could even make BBQ Ranch by adding a couple tablespoons to homemade ranch.
How to make Homemade BBQ Sauce:
Combine: Add all ingredients to a saucepan and mix. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 20 minutes to an hour.
Serve on ribs, hamburger, pulled pork sandwich, as a dipping sauce or marinade for grilled chicken, or just about anything! Store leftover bbq sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Follow me for more great recipes
Print
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
Homemade BBQ Sauce takes minutes to make with simple pantry ingredients. It's healthier and tastier than store-bought, and great for marinating, dipping, and grilling.
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 4
Calories 285kcal
Author Lauren Allen
Cost 4
Equipment
Pot
Ingredients
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup (240g)
2/3 cup light brown sugar (147g)
1/4 cup molasses (85g), unsulphured
2/3 cup red wine vinegar (159g)
2 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika , or regular paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt , or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and mix together until smooth.
8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 cup ketchup, 2/3 cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup molasses, 2/3 cup red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or up to one hour, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and allow to cool. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
Store in an air tight container or jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Video
Notes
Yield: Makes about 2.5 cups sauce. Serving size is 2/3 cup.
Make Ahead Instructions: Store in a container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Freezing Instructions: allow to cool completely and store in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.05g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1132mg | Potassium: 724mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 748IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg
Follow Me
Get recipe ideas weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Your Email Address *
I originally shared this recipe June 2017. Updated June 2020 and May 2025.