BBQ Sauce
A rich, tangy, slightly sweet homemade BBQ sauce that’s perfect for grilled meats, burgers, or even as a dip. Way better than store-bought and super easy to whip up!
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp mustard yellow or Dijon, up to you
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chili flakes optional, for heat
Optional Add-Ons
- A squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness
- A dash of hot sauce if you’re a spice lover
- Extra honey if you want it sweeter
Instructions
Grab a Saucepan
- Toss all the ingredients into a medium saucepan. No need to be fancy — just get everything in there.
Stir It Up
- Give it a good whisk until everything’s combined. It should already look glossy and delicious.
Let It Simmer
- Place the pan on medium heat and let it gently bubble for 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick. The sauce will thicken and get rich and shiny. And that smell? Pure BBQ bliss.
Taste & Adjust
- Dip a spoon in and taste. Want more sweetness? Add honey. Need more tang? A splash of vinegar. Like it spicy? Sprinkle in chili flakes. You’re the boss here.
Cool & Store
- Let the sauce cool before transferring it to a jar. It’ll thicken even more as it sits, making it perfect for dipping, brushing, or drizzling.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness with more or less brown sugar or honey.
- For smoky flavor, add a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
- Make it spicy with cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or hot sauce.
- Sauce thickens as it cools; if too thick, thin with water or apple juice.
- Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week in a sealed jar.