Homemade BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ sauce is completely customizable. Simply add, swap, or reduce most of the ingredients, and you’ll still end up with a concoction worthy of precious refrigerator space. The (typically) sweet, smoky, and spicy condiment can be slathered on ribs, mixed into pulled pork, or poured into a ramekin for a French fry dipping frenzy. 

It’s also the perfect (and unexpected!) dish to bring to an outdoor picnic or soiree. Pack it in a mason jar, set it next to any protein, and watch as guests go through it in record speed.

Learn how to make homemade BBQ sauce so you can make your perfect sauce again and again.

Ingredients for Homemade BBQ Sauce

Primary ingredients for your homemade BBQ sauce will vary based your tastes, but start with these ingredients and adjust from there:

• Ketchup: The perfect foundation because it’s sweet and already boasts a thicker consistency. If you don't like the ketchup flavor, you can use tomato sauce instead, but you'll need more seasonings to get the flavor of the sauce just right as ketchup is already well seasoned.
• Vinegar: You’ll then want to add vinegar for zing.
• Worcestershire sauce: For some umami and deeper flavor.
• Brown sugar and honey: For extra sweetness.
• Onion powder and minced garlic: Adds great depth of flavor without having to cook actual onion and garlic.
• Dry mustard: Brings in some zest (only when mixed in a liquid).
• Smoked paprika: Adds—you guessed it—smokiness.
• Hot sauce or cayenne pepper: Heat can be adjusted according to preference.
• Black pepper: A necessity to round out the sauce’s contrasting flavors and provide a wonderfully coarse texture play.
• Water: Added at the start to simply thin out the mix and allow the ingredients to meld together. As the sauce simmers, the water will evaporate and you’ll have a silky, dense condiment with the concentrated, bold flavors you know and love. 

How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

Barbecue sauce requires very little time and effort. In fact, it’s one of the easiest sauces you can make in a pinch. Despite its simplicity, a homemade BBQ sauce can really knock the socks off of your dinner guests because it will always taste better than a store-bought kind.

Grab a saucepan and a spatula, and read this brief recap of how to make homemade BBQ sauce. The full recipe is below.

• Step 1. Combine ingredients: Add all of your ingredients, and mix them together in a saucepan
• Step 2. Boil: Bring it to a boil. Once bubbles begin to form, turn your stove down to low heat and allow it to simmer and thicken for 30 minutes. 
• Step 3. Let cool: You can serve your barbecue sauce warm or let it come down to room temperature. 

Ways To Use Homemade BBQ Sauce

The beauty of homemade BBQ sauce is its versatility. It can serve as a marinade, basting, condiment, or finishing sauce for proteins like pork, beef, and chicken. You can also use barbecue sauce to top or coat your favorite vegetables and starches if you grow tiresome of the typical spice, herb, and olive oil combo.

Keep in mind that grilling is different from barbecuing. You’ll want to refrain from applying barbecue sauce before or during the grilling process, as it will turn your meat into a slab of char. Brush it on at the end or serve it on the side.

With traditional barbecuing (a low and slow cooking method that takes literal hours), feel free to baste those meats and relish the sticky glaze it leaves behind.

How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce

A homemade BBQ sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze leftover sauce, and it will maintain the same taste and texture as the day you made it.

When you’re ready to use frozen BBQ sauce, you can allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Or, if you stored it in a freezer bag, simply place the bag in a saucepan filled with warm water. The sauce will thaw quickly, though separation may occur. If that happens, just give it a quick mix with a spoon, and it will be ready to serve. 

Can You Make Homemade BBQ Sauce Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make BBQ sauce before you plan to use it. In fact, we highly recommend it. Once made and cooled, BBQ sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to two weeks. So if you're planning a party of big family dinner, get ahead of your to-do list by making this sauce early. Grab it from the fridge, and use it as you intend when the time arrives.

Other Styles of Southern BBQ Sauces

This tomato-based BBQ sauce is similar to a Kansas City-style sauce, but we have several other recipes if you like one of them better:

• Texas-Style BBQ Sauce
  
• Alabama White BBQ Sauce
• Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
• South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
• Kansas City BBQ Sauce