Homemade BBQ sauce is always better than store-bought, and this sweet BBQ sauce recipe I’m sharing today is delicious, easy, and customizable. You will love it!
We all love a good BBQ sauce, especially when it’s made just how we like it. I say this because not only are there different types of barbecue sauce out there, but also because each type can vary greatly in taste, acidity, and sweetness.
The great thing about making your own BBQ sauce at home is that you can control the proportion of each ingredients and adjust to taste! Personally, I like mine less acidic and on the sweeter side, so tend to go easier on the vinegar and a bit heavier on the ketchup, sugar, and molasses. So let me show you how to make this easy homemade BBQ sauce!
Ingredients
A classic sweet BBQ sauce is pretty much lots of tasty ingredients reduced in a saucepan. Usually, it’s ketchup, molasses, vinegar, mustard, and spices.
Here are the ingredients I used for this easy sweet BBQ sauce recipe:
- Ketchup: for sweetness and a bit of acidity
- Apple cider vinegar: for acidity
- Dark brown sugar: dark brown sugar is more molasses-y and deep, which is perfect for BBQ sauce
- Molasses: for sweetness and thickness
- Worcestershire sauce: for amazing flavor!
- Water: helps with consistency
- Dijon mustard: for flavor
- Spices: smoked paprika and garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Making it is very easy too! All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a medium saucepan, and simmer it down for about 20 minutes until reduced and thickened. Be sure to stir constantly so it doesn’t burn at the bottom.
This recipe makes about 2 cups.
Adjusting to Taste
Like I mentioned before, the best part about homemade barbecue sauce is that you can control how acidic, sweet, or salty it is. Before simmering down the sauce, taste it and adjust the ingredients as needed:
- Sweeter: Add more brown sugar and ketchup.
- Thicker and sweeter: Add more molasses and ketchup, and simmer down 5 more minutes.
- More acidic: Add more vinegar.
- Thinner: Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time.
- More flavor: Add more Worcestershire sauce or dijon mustard.
- Smokier: Add more smoked paprika.
How to Store BBQ Sauce
Store in an airtight container, preferably in a mason jar, for about 1 week in the fridge.
Unlike store-bought sauces, homemade versions don’t usually go through a pasteurization and preserving process, so you won’t be able to keep it for months, but I’m sure it will be gone quickly. It’s so delicious!
You can use BBQ sauce in so many ways! My favorite is always on roasted chicken.
- Brush over roasted spatchcock BBQ chicken
- Serve as a dipping sauce with my Baked Chicken Popcorn!
- Brush it on Slow Cooker BBQ Baby Back Ribs (a reader fave!)
- Serve with simple pan-seared chicken breasts
Thank you for reading. I’m sure you will love this recipe!
Tips for Success
- Adjust the ingredient quantities to your liking, if needed. See “Adjusting to Taste” section above.
- When simmering down the sauce, stir constantly so that the bottom doesn’t burn.
If you try my recipe, use #cookingformysoul on Instagram! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for the latest fun updates and recipes!
Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Give it a taste and adjust ingredient quantities as needed. See notes below for guidelines.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes until thickened, stirring constantly so that the bottom doesn’t burn. Let cool.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container, preferably in a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (or 1 week plus a few days will be fine too).
Notes
- Sweeter: Add more brown sugar and ketchup.
- Thicker and sweeter: Add more molasses and ketchup, and simmer down 5 additional minutes.
- More acidic: Add more vinegar.
- Thinner: Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time.
- More flavor: Add more Worcestershire sauce or dijon mustard.
- Smokier: Add more smoked paprika.
Easy for me to follow. Thank you
Love this recipe – easy to make and delicious!!! Can you freeze it after?
Carolynne
Thank you!! I’ve never frozen BBQ sauce before, but I did some research and it looks like you can! Just transfer the fully cooled down BBQ sauce to a freezer-friendly, resealable bag. Get the extra air out and seal the bag. You can freeze it for 2-3 months!
Can I substitute smoked paprika for sweet paprika.
Yes!