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Home » Course » Condiments

BBQ Sauce

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August 21, 2022

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This smokey homemade BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes incredible on meatballs, chicken, nachos and much more.
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BBQ sauce recipe in a jar.

This delicious homemade BBQ sauce comes together in only 20 minutes and tastes so much better than any store bought version. It’s as easy as combining all the ingredients in a pot and simmering them for 15 minutes. Enjoy this tangy, smokey and slightly sweet condiment on your favorite grilled meats.

We also love using this sauce to make scrumptious Crockpot BBQ Meatballs and mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Nachos. You can even drizzle it over white chicken pizza to create your own BBQ chicken pizza!

BBQ sauce in a jar with a spoon scooping some out.

While this homemade condiment is naturally vegetarian and vegan, we have also included instructions in the FAQ section on how to make it gluten free as well.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE RECIPE

✔️ It tastes amazing and beats any store bought sauce.

✔️ This tangy BBQ sauce is ready in only 20 minutes. It couldn’t be easier.

✔️ You can determine the final flavor by adjusting seasonings to your own taste.

✔️ Lasts for a whole week in the fridge and can be frozen. Make ahead on the weekend for your meals during the week.

✔️ Vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

wooden spoon stirring BBQ sauce

Table of Contents

  • BBQ SAUCE INGREDIENTS
  • INSTRUCTIONS
  • TIPS FOR THE BEST BARBECUE SAUCE
  • STORAGE TIPS
  • WHAT TO SERVE WITH BBQ SAUCE
  • MORE HOMEMADE CONDIMENT RECIPES
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • BBQ Sauce

BBQ SAUCE INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade barbecue sauce, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these vegan BBQ sauce ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

  • Tomato Sauce: This helps create the tomato flavor.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar gives the barbecue sauce a slightly tangy flavor and balances out the sweetness.
  • Honey: You can use any kind of honey. It adds a subtle natural sweetness, but you can also use brown sugar or maple syrup if you prefer.
  • Tomato Paste: We prefer to buy tomato paste in a tube so you can just use a little and save the rest.
  • Molasses: This helps sweeten and thicken the sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy and savory notes to create a rich flavor.
  • Liquid Smoke: Don’t skip this key ingredient. It adds the nice smokey flavor BBQ sauce is famous for.
  • Paprika: You can substitute smoked paprika, if you like your sauce extra smokey!
  • Garlic Powder
  • Black Pepper
  • Onion Powder
  • Salt
ingredients for homemade BBQ sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook barbecue sauce on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

GATHER INGREDIENTS: Measure and gather all your ingredients before beginning.

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Whisk all ingredients together in a medium saucepan.

🔴 TIP: You can substitute brown sugar, for the molasses or honey.

Ingredients in pot.
Spatula stirring ingredients.

SIMMER: Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer (uncovered) for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.

🔴 TIP: Taste the sauce as it is simmering. Careful, it’s hot! Add seasonings according to your taste.

Cooked barbecue sauce in a pot.
Spoonful of bbq sauce.

SERVE: Use the sauce immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

TIPS FOR THE BEST BARBECUE SAUCE

Follow these tips to make the best smokey barbecue sauce.

✔️ Don’t skip the liquid smoke. It’s a small ingredient but it packs a powerful punch!

✔️ Taste the sauce as it’s simmering. Be careful, it’s hot! Add seasonings according to taste.

✔️ Allow the sauce to thicken. Don’t skip the simmer step. You don’t want it to be a paste so more than 15-20 minutes is unnecessary.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Store this BBQ sauce in an airtight container or glass jars in the fridge for up to a week.

Freeze: You can also freeze any leftover BBQ sauce in case you are not planning on using within a week. Transfer the homemade sauce into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.

Defrosting: BBQ sauce thaws well overnight in the refrigerator. Give it a good stir before using it.

glass jar full of BBQ sauce

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BBQ SAUCE

Serve this slightly spicy and tangy BBQ sauce over any kind of meat, such as BBQ Chicken Pineapple Kabobs, BBQ Ribs, Grilled Shrimp Skewers or Grilled Chipotle Chicken Kabobs.

You can also use this mouthwatering vegetarian sauce to make amazing Crockpot BBQ Meatballs or delicious BBQ Chicken Nachos.

MORE HOMEMADE CONDIMENT RECIPES

If you love love smokey barbecue sauce you’ll also enjoy our Cilantro Lime Sour Cream, Homemade Tartar Sauce, Balsamic Glaze, or Mango Habanero Salsa.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking smokey barbecue sauce.

Can I add other spices to this BBQ sauce?

Of course! You can get creative and create all kinds of different BBQ sauce flavors. Try adding cumin, cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, lemon zest or even a pinch of cinnamon, for example.

Is it possible to make this sauce gluten free?

Yes. Just follow our recipe, and make sure to use gluten free liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce.

Are there other uses for this homemade condiment than adding it to grilled meat?

Yes! We love using this homemade sauce to make mouthwatering Crockpot BBQ Meatballs and BBQ Chicken Nachos.

BBQ sauce recipe in a jar.
5 from 2 votes

BBQ Sauce


Course condiment
Cuisine American, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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1 portion
This smokey homemade BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes incredible on meatballs, chicken, nachos and much more.
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Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
    Ingredients in pot.
  • Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer (uncovered) for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
    Spatula stirring ingredients.
  • Use the sauce immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
    homemade bbq sauce on a wooden spoon.

Notes

Serving Suggestions:
  • Serve with Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
  • Serve with BBQ Chicken Nachos

Nutrition

Calories: 642kcal | Carbohydrates: 161g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2415mg | Potassium: 2524mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 147g | Vitamin A: 1203IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 10mg

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posted in: American, Condiments, Course, Cuisine, Dairy Free, Diet, Gluten Free, Method, Stovetop, Vegan, Vegetarian

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