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Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Category: Satisfying Vegetarian Meals

This BBQ sauce brings bold, balanced flavors to your summer cookouts with a perfect blend of sweetness, tang, and smoke. Simple pantry staples—ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika—come together in one saucepan, simmering gently for ten minutes. The resulting sauce clings beautifully to ribs, chicken, burgers, or roasted vegetables. Make it sweeter, tangier, or spice it up with cayenne or mustard as desired. Cooled and stored in an airtight container, this vibrant sauce keeps grilling effortless and delicious.

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Updated on Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:01:23 GMT
A bowl of chicken with BBQ sauce on top. Pin
A bowl of chicken with BBQ sauce on top. | quickdinnerfix.com

This zippy homemade BBQ sauce has been a game-changer at my family’s cookouts elevating everything from oven chicken to flame-grilled veggies. With pantry staples and just a couple of minutes on the stove you can whip up a sauce that puts bottled versions to shame every single time.

I actually first made this one summer when we had unexpected guests and no store-bought sauce left. Now no one in my family will settle for anything else and there is almost always a jar in our fridge.

Ingredients

  • Ketchup: the tomato base brings tang and thickness make sure to use one with rich flavor and not too watery
  • Apple cider vinegar: gives that lively tang shop for raw unfiltered if you want a bigger punch
  • Brown sugar: adds depth and caramel sweetness light or dark both work but dark brings more molasses flavor
  • Worcestershire sauce: delivers umami and savory notes choose one with real anchovies for authentic flavor
  • Garlic powder: layers savory warmth and a bit of bite look for fresher powder for best aroma
  • Smoked paprika: this is what brings the unmistakable BBQ smokiness go for Spanish smoked paprika if possible because it has great depth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Measure and Combine:
Add all of your ingredients ketchup apple cider vinegar brown sugar Worcestershire sauce garlic powder and smoked paprika to a medium saucepan. Stir everything together until you see no streaks for even mixing.
Simmer to Develop Flavor:
Set the pan over medium heat and allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes so it thickens and the flavors meld together. Watch carefully so it does not scorch on the bottom.
Adjust the Taste:
Taste a spoonful and decide if you want it sweeter tangier or spicier. Add a spoonful or two more brown sugar or vinegar for more sweetness or tang. If you want heat sprinkle in cayenne or a bit of mustard powder and stir well.
Cool and Store:
Take your saucepan off the heat and let it cool a bit. Pour into a clean airtight jar or bottle. It thickens even more as it chills in the fridge.
A close up of a BBQ sauce being poured onto chicken. Pin
A close up of a BBQ sauce being poured onto chicken. | quickdinnerfix.com

My favorite ingredient is smoked paprika because it gives the sauce genuine fire-kissed flavor without a grill. My kids love taste-testing the sauce each summer to decide if we should sneak in a dash more sweetness or extra tang which usually leads to some delicious debates around the picnic table.

Storage Tips

Store the cooled sauce in a sealed jar or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to two weeks and actually gets tastier after a day. If you want to freeze it use small containers and thaw portions when needed.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are out of apple cider vinegar use plain white vinegar or even a splash of lemon juice. No Worcestershire Try soy sauce with a dash of anchovy paste or a hint of fish sauce for similar richness.

Serving Suggestions

Brush onto grilled chicken slather on ribs stir through roasted veggies or use as a dip for fries. My family even loves a dollop on turkey burgers or as a glaze for meatballs.

A plate of chicken with sauce drizzled on it. Pin
A plate of chicken with sauce drizzled on it. | quickdinnerfix.com

Cultural and Historical Context

Barbecue sauce spans regions in the United States each with its own variation. This recipe leans toward classic Kansas City style bold sweet smoky and just tangy enough. Homemade sauce like this used to simmer away at family reunions in my childhood hometown transforming every backyard BBQ into a special event.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this BBQ sauce spicier?

Yes, add cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce during simmering to increase the heat level as desired.

→ How do I adjust the sauce's sweetness or tang?

Balance flavors by adding more brown sugar for sweetness or apple cider vinegar for extra tang, tasting along the way.

→ What dishes work best with this sauce?

This sauce pairs well with grilled meats like ribs and chicken, burgers, roasted vegetables, and as a dipping sauce.

→ How long will homemade BBQ sauce keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the sauce lasts up to two weeks while retaining its bold flavors.

→ Can I freeze leftover BBQ sauce?

Yes, freeze in portioned containers for up to three months. Just thaw and stir before using for best consistency.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Rich, sweet, and smoky BBQ sauce that elevates ribs, burgers, and veggies with bold flavor, ready in minutes.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min

Category: Vegetarian

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (Approximately 240 ml sauce)

Dietary Preferences: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

01 250 ml ketchup

→ Acid

02 60 ml apple cider vinegar

→ Sweetener

03 55 g brown sugar

→ Umami

04 30 ml Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices

05 5 ml garlic powder
06 5 ml smoked paprika

Steps

Step 01

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until thoroughly blended.

Step 02

Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 03

Taste the sauce and adjust for desired sweetness or tang by adding extra brown sugar or vinegar if needed.

Step 04

For additional heat, stir in cayenne pepper or a touch of mustard, mixing well to incorporate.

Step 05

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring to a sterilized, airtight container.

Notes

  1. For a smokier flavor, substitute smoked paprika with liquid smoke, adding a few drops at a time.

Required Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
  • Airtight storage container

Allergy Information

Double-check each ingredient to identify potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains Worcestershire sauce, which may include anchovies (fish) and soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 50
  • Fat: ~
  • Carbs: 13 g
  • Protein: ~