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–+ servings
sweet bbq sauce in a jar
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4.94 from 16 votes

Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

This homemade sweet BBQ sauce is perfectly sweet and not too overpowering. So easy and quick to make. It's great for a variety of dishes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dressings and Sauces
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 46kcal
Author: Tania

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup water plus more as needed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients to a small saucepan until combined.
  • Bring to a boil. Once it has come to a boil, reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 18 to 20 minutes until thickened, stirring every few minutes to ensure that the bottom doesn’t burn. As it's simmering, give it a taste and adjust ingredient quantities as needed (see notes below for guidelines).
  • Let cool slightly if serving immediately. If storing, let cool completely first. Enjoy!

Notes

  • How to adjust the ingredient quantities to taste:
    • Sweeter: Add more brown sugar.
    • Thicker and sweeter: Add more molasses and ketchup, and simmer down 5 additional minutes.
    • More tangy: 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 or a dash of liquid smoke.
  • Make ahead and storage: Let cool completely and store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezing: Let cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe container or bags. Thaw in the fridge.
 
Substitutions and variations:
  • Apple cider vinegar: Distilled white vinegar.
  • Dijon mustard: regular yellow mustard.
  • Dark brown sugar: Light brown sugar. Do not use granulated sugar.
Disclaimer: Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.3mg