Skip the store-bought bottle and whip up this easy homemade BBQ sauce that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Featuring a rich blend of molasses, honey, and bold spices, it’s the ultimate glaze for baby back ribs, brisket sandwiches, and slow-cooker pulled pork.
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🌶️ The Ingredients
This recipe blends a variety of sweet glazes, tangy acids, and aromatic spices to create a complex flavor profile that far surpasses anything from a bottle. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
📝 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ketchup: This serves as the tomato base for the sauce. Use your favorite brand, as it provides the foundation for all the other flavors.
- Dark Brown Sugar: This adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness. You can substitute with light brown sugar or even maple syrup if you prefer a different type of sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This provides the necessary tang to cut through the sugar. If you don’t have it, white vinegar or extra lemon juice will work in a pinch.
- Aromatics (Onion and Garlic): Using fresh chopped onion and garlic provides the best depth of flavor. However, if you want a perfectly smooth sauce, you can substitute these with onion powder and garlic powder.
- Molasses and Honey: These create a thick, glossy texture and a “sticky” finish. You can adjust the ratio of these two make the sauce richer or more floral.
- Hot Sauce: This is entirely adjustable. Feel free to increase the amount for a spicy kick or omit it entirely for a mild, kid-friendly version.
- Steak Sauce: Adds a savory umami. If you don’t have any on hand, you can add a little extra Worcestershire sauce.
Refer to the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
🔥 Tips and Tricks for the Best BBQ Sauce
- Bloom Your Spices: Adding the chili powder mixture to the sautéed onions and garlic before the liquid ingredients is a process called “blooming.” This toasts the spices in the oil, releasing their essential oils and creating a much deeper, more complex flavor.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic: When sautéing, keep a close eye on the garlic. It cooks much faster than the onions; if it turns dark brown or black, it will make the entire batch of sauce taste bitter.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Because this sauce is high in sugar (from the ketchup, honey, and molasses), it can burn easily on the bottom of the pan. Keep the heat on low and stir occasionally to ensure a smooth, caramelized finish.
- Choose Your Texture: If you prefer a smooth, professional-looking glaze for your ribs, be sure to strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the onion and garlic bits. If you like a more rustic, “house-made” texture, feel free to skip the straining.
- Let the Flavors Meld: While you can use the sauce immediately, it actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for 24 hours. This gives the spices and acids time to fully integrate.
- Watch the Grill: Because of the high sugar content, this sauce can char quickly. If you are grilling, wait until the last 10–15 minutes of cooking to brush it onto your meat to prevent it from burning.
👩🏼🍳 How to Make Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: In a large bowl, add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Step 2: Next, add the lemon juice, steak sauce, molasses, honey, and hot sauce. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Mix together the chili powder, salt, and pepper. Then sauté the onions and garlic in oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the chili powder mixture and cook for another couple of minutes.
- Step 4: Add the ketchup mixture and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Strain the sauce into a large bowl.
- Step 6: Store, cover, and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Keep it in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can I freeze the Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce for later use?
Yes, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Just be sure to leave a little headspace at the top of the container, as the liquid may expand when frozen.
How can I make this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce spicier?
To dial up the heat, you can increase the amount of hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes while the mixture is simmering.
Is it necessary to strain the Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Straining is completely optional. If you want a perfectly smooth, professional-looking glaze, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve; if you prefer a more rustic, chunky texture, you can skip this step.
When is the best time to apply the Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce to meat on the grill?
Because of the high sugar content, it is best to brush it on during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. This allows the sauce to caramelize without burning.
🍤 When to Use Homemade Easy BBQ Sauce
Ready to take your BBQ recipes to the next level with this sauce? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and #HowToFeedaLoon!
Easy BBQ Sauce
This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce is just that, easy…but really, really delicious. Perfect for slow cooker ribs and Southern Grilled BBQ Shrimp. You'll never buy the store-bought variety again! It's really that good!
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Servings: 8 people
Calories: 117kcal
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar dark
- ½ cup yellow mustard
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup steak sauce A-1 is just fine
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce like Tobasco, Franks, or Louisiana
- 2 tablespoon bourbon optional
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Mix the chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.2 tablespoon chili powder, 1½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- In a large bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, steak sauce, molasses, honey, hot sauce, and bourbon (if using). Set aside2 cups ketchup, 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup yellow mustard, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup steak sauce, ¼ cup molasses, ¼ cup honey, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 2 tablespoon bourbon
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring often, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the chili mixture and stir until the onions are coated. Sauté for about 2 minutes.3 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 medium onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Carefully pour the ketchup mixture into the skillet and stir to fully combine. Bring to a simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.
- If desired, strain the sauce through a sieve or colander. Let cool and then transfer to a vessel with a lid. The sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
NOTE: Watch the video in the recipe card for visual guidance.
This recipe was updated in June, 2022. Here is the previous recipe if you are looking for it:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (ancho, or regular)
- 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- 2 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
Nutrition
Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!
Nancie Lewis says
Okaaay… this BBQ Sauce is legit!
A friend of ours gave us some pork baby back ribs and I searched Pinterest for a good slow-cooker method and found you. I know, I know, it’s summer and we could be using the grill, but I have stuff to do and I want dinner ready when I want it, know what I mean?
So, we’re slow-cooking the ribs according to your recipe tomorrow. I made the rub already and just finished the BBQ Sauce. Good Lord! You aren’t kidding when you suggest making a double batch – it IS that good! Thank you and following you immediately for more recipes! Cheers from Colorado!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Nancie!! Woo hoo!! We are soooo thrilled you are loving the BBQ sauce recipe! Let us know how the ribs turned out!!! xoxo
Camille Wells says
Awesome sauce!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Camille! Woo hoo! So so happy you made the BBQ sauce and loved it! We love it, too! Thank you so much for sharing and for the great review!!! xoxo
Katrine L Alfstad says
You guys are my favorite! This BBQ sauce is amazing! Made the updated version to a T! Oh my goodness, yum!
Making your guy’s slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with this BBQ and will turn it into your sauce with your amazing cole slaw!
I cannot wait for dinner tonight. It has smelled devine, all day!
Thanks for the beautiful recipes, guys!
Kris Longwell says
Katrine! You have no idea how happy this makes us! You must have had a scrumptious FEAST!!! We hope you enjoyed it!! Keep us posted!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Amy says
Do you serve it cold from fridge? Room temp? Or heated?
Kris Longwell says
Hi Amy! We usually serve it room temp or slightly warmed. If your serving it with hot food, the cold BBQ sauce could be unappealing, but not really bad. We hope you try it and let us know what you think! Best, Kris & Wesley
Amy says
Thank you so much! It was a great hit at our bbq!
Khalinh Pham says
Hi there, I noticed that the BBQ sauce recipe has been updated. Would you be able to share the old one that you had on previously?
Kris Longwell says
Hi there! We are so so sorry! We did recently update the recipe. It’s amazing, by the way, but we understand if you’re familiar (and prefer) the older version. We will get it and include it in the NOTES of the recipe card. Thank you!
Mike says
Is 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar correct? I just made it and it’s incredible vinegary
Kris Longwell says
Hi Mike! So sorry for the delayed response here. We find that all the flavors mellow after the sauce cools down and chills for a while. We think the cider vinegar adds just the right amount of zip to the BBQ sauce, and we’re really sorry the quantity didn’t work for you! Best, Kris & Wesley
Carly says
Hi! Just made it and it has a very strong chili powder flavor to it. Plan on using it tomorrow for your slow cooker ribs.. any way I can dilute that flavor??
Kris Longwell says
Hi Carly, you can add a little more ketchup and apple cider vinegar. It should really be okay as it cooks on the ribs. Hope this helps (and in time!). Merry Christmas!!
Di says
Hi Kris, Just wondering if this works for Beef Baby Back ribs as they are currently out defrosting and would there be any changes to the recipe. Cheers
Kris Longwell says
Hi Di! Oh yes yes yes! We think our BBQ sauce is BEST on beef baby back ribs!!! I’d suggest preparing them the way you normally would, and then slather the sauce on in the last 30 minutes of cooking, and then serve more sauce on the side. You’re making me hungry!!!! Let us know how they turn out!!
Jyotsna Basu says
Excellent, made it today and really enjoyed it. Did not have molasses so replaced it with brown sugar.
Kris Longwell says
That is a perfect substitution!! We are so glad you enjoyed our BBQ sauce recipe and thanks so much for letting us know! We really appreciate that!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Naytasia Cooper says
What if you don’t have liquid smoke is their a substitute
Kris Longwell says
So sorry for the delayed response! Liquid smoke really doesn’t have a decent substitute. The sauce is so flavorful, you’ll still get a good BBQ sauce, even w/out the liquid smoke. We hope this helps and let us know if you make it and how it turns out!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
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