Homemade BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce – You’ll love the tasty blend of sweet, smoky, tangy and robust flavors! Plus this recipe is such a breeze, you just combine all ingredients in a saucepan and let simmer briefly.

 

Homemade BBQ Sauce

• Servings: 7
• Prep Time 5 minutes
• Cook Time 10 minutes
• Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup ketchup (preferably without corn syrup)
• 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 3 Tbsp apple juice or apple juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 2 tsp natural hickory smoke flavor, or to taste
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Cover partially with lid (to reduce splattering) and let simmer 8 minutes or until slightly reduced and harsh vinegar flavor is toned down.
3. Let cool slightly. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Notes

Variations

• Add some heat, try it with cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to taste.
• Replace honey with brown sugar if that's what you have.
• Substitute hickory smoke flavor with mesquite smoke flavor.
• Add 2 Tbsp butter to make it rich.
• Try adding other spices like chili powder, cumin, onion powder, and even a little cinnamon or cocoa powder.

Ways to Use BBQ Sauce

• Baste over grilled chicken (bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless), see notes in post above for directions on cooking or grilling.
• Toss with pulled pork sandwiches or pulled chicken for sandwiches.
• Spread over smoked or slow cooked ribs.
• Serve as a dip for chicken nuggets or chicken tenders.
• Use as a glaze on meatloaf.
• Add some to baked beans for a flavor boost.
• Try it with little smokies.
• Use it as a sauce for bbq chicken pizza.