Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe that is ready in 15 minutes that makes the best Homemade Barbecue Sauce. Sweet and tangy and made from scratch!
BBQ sauce is one of those topics that people can become really, really passionate about. There are the regional camps of North Carolina style BBQ sauce, Kansas City style BBQ sauce, white Alabama BBQ sauce, and then the Memphis style with no sauce at all (well, maybe just a smidge). Everyone has their personal favorites.
And you know, I really love them all.
I’ve shared my Mama’s Coca Cola BBQ Sauce with you that is the one that I grew up with. I’ve also shared our Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce that we use from time to time, as well as my Peach BBQ Sauce that is the perfect BBQ sauce with a fruity twist. And, I’ve also included our favorite molasses-based Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce in my cookbook which just takes ribs to a whole new level!
But today friends, I want to share with you this quick and easy, 15-minute BBQ sauce that takes just a handful of ingredients to make and comes out perfect every single time.
We’ve had friends who call this the best BBQ Sauce they’ve ever tasted and it’s pretty easy to see why!
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
This BBQ Sauce comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients that I generally have in my refrigerator or my pantry and is one that I think you all will fall in love with as well. I’ve had friends ask me to please make extra for them to take home and if I’d bottle it, they’d surely buy it. ♥️
Ingredients
To make this homemade BBQ Sauce, you’ll need:
- Ketchup – You’ll use 2 cups of your favorite ketchup as the base in this recipe. I prefer to use one with the fewest ingredients and one that does not include high-fructose corn syrup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – the apple cider vinegar gives the sauce a delicious, tangy flavor that helps to balance it perfectly.
- Brown Sugar – just 1/4 cup of brown sugar not only helps sweeten the sauce but deepens the flavor adding just a hint of molasses flavor.
- Honey – use a couple of tablespoons of your favorite honey. If you can find a reliable local honey provider, I always recommend it!
- Worcestershire sauce – this balances the sweetness with savory flavor in the sauce. If you are gluten-free or sensitive to soy (like me!), you can use coconut aminos in place of the Worcestershire sauce.
- Stone House Seasoning – this is my favorite, go-to blend of seasonings that I have shared previously. It is a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic that tastes amazing on so many dishes and adds flavor in a snap! We named it Stone House Seasoning since we use it practically on everything except desserts!
- Lemon Juice – A tablespoon of fresh or bottled lemon juice adds just the perfect amount of acid to this sauce to make it perfect.
- Hot Sauce – We love to add just a splash of hot sauce to this BBQ Sauce recipe. It is entirely optional if you’d rather not include it.
Instructions
- Cook the BBQ Sauce. Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow the sauce to bubble and then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes. This helps to deepen the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Serve. You can use this sauce immediately or see the Storage Tips below.
Storage Tips
To Store. Allow the sauce to cool and then pour it into a quart-size mason jar. Seal it with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
To Freeze. Transfer the cooled sauce to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Favorite Ways to Use BBQ Sauce
- Chicken – Use on grilled chicken for a flavorful meal or drizzled over shredded chicken for a BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
- Pork – Delicious with BBQ pork chops, slow cooker ribs, and of course pulled pork sandwiches.
- Burgers – Delicious on hamburgers in place of ketchup for a tasty BBQ Burger.
- Pizza – Use in place of pizza sauce for a BBQ Chicken Pizza or a Pulled Pork Pizza. Yum!
- Dip – as a dip with Sweet Potato Fries and ranch dressing
Here’s my best Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium saucepan situated over medium heat. Allow to come to a bubble and then reduce the heat to low. Allow to simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately or allow to cool slightly and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
I’m trying this tomorrow evening when my son comes for Sunday dinner. I’m definitely using the optional hot sauce.
I’ve never made a BBQ sauce before but the simplicity of this one made me give it a shot. I was worried that the ketchup would be too much (the smell also carries heavily from the ketchup) but the taste is a pleasantly sweet and spiced balance. Looking forward to trying this with some meats.
Glad you enjoy it, Andreas! Thanks!
I work in a nursing home and made bbq chicken for the residents today. Everyone was raving about this bbq sauce. It was the talk of the facility today. I made this for 150 people and it turned out great! Thank you for sharing!
This makes my day, Samantha! I’m so happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it! Hugs to you for what you do! Thanks so much for sharing with me! xo
I consider myself a “pretty good” cook… I could never have come up with something like this. The combination of spices is perfect. Thank you from the husband of, and father of picky eaters.
Aww, I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy this, Steven! Thank you so much for telling me! 🙂
A+, I was worried about the amount of ketchup being noticeable but nope, perfect. I’ll be making this again. Great on drumsticks!!
If I don’t have any honey on hand, what can I use to substitute it ?
Desirae, you can substitute with maple syrup or just add more brown sugar. Hope this helps.
I live an hour to any store and needed sauce. I made this one and it was pretty good. I did add a little mustard powder and a garlic. My new bbq staple. Thanks
I’m really glad you gave it a try and enjoy it, Glow! It’s a staple around our house as well! Thanks!
Made this. Loved this. Out of this. Going to make more today.
So glad you enjoy it too, Deborah! xo
I realized on Christmas that I had no bbq sauce. I was skeptical about making it myself bc I’m from NC and bbq sauce is sacred. But Lord have mercy, this is good!! I added a bit of extra coarse ground black pepper, some ground chipotle for smokiness and subbed OJ for lemon juice, which I didn’t have. THANK YOU!
What is a good substitute for Stone House seasoning?
My Stone House Seasoning is a seasoning I make. It comes together quickly and easily. Thanks!
How long does the BBQ sauce last? I am looking to use as a Christmas gift.
Hi Jen,
I would either serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Thanks