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–+ servings
bbq sauce in a clear jar

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Isabel Laessig
Learn how to make BBQ sauce in 15 minutes using simple ingredients! This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.
4.88 from 16 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups
Calories 878 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large sauce pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups ketchup
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dry minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dry minced onion
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon of cayenne more for a spicier result

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all the ingredients.
    1 ½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ cups ketchup, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup water, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 tablespoon dry minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dry minced onion, 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon of cayenne
    adding bbq sauce into saucepan
  • Bring to a boil and immediately drop the heat to low.
    bbq sauce simmering inside a saucepan
  • Pour into an airtight container for storage.
    adding bbq sauce onto a burger

Video

Notes

  • To thicken the sauce: Cook for longer, use a little less water, or add a dash of cornstarch or flour to thicken it out more.
  • To thin the sauce: Add more of one of the liquid components, such as water, vinegar, or Worcestershire sauce, to thin the sauce out more. I recommend simply adjusting the water level so the flavor balance stays the same.
  • Adjust the spice levels: If you like your sauce more or less spicy, adjust the level of cayenne used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 878kcalCarbohydrates: 224gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1898mgPotassium: 1118mgFiber: 4gSugar: 201gVitamin A: 3911IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 4mg
Keyword barbecue sauce recipe, BBQ sauce recipe, homemade barbecue sauce, homemade bbq sauce
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