Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

9 Comments

Have you ever noticed that your favorite BBQ joints always have their own homemade sauces and not store bought barbecue sauce? Did you notice how much better they taste compared to the store bought sauces? Through my travels, I have noticed that I enjoyed most of their homemade sauces and I wanted to recreate that…

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Homemade BBQ Sauce

Have you ever noticed that your favorite BBQ joints always have their own homemade sauces and not store bought barbecue sauce? Did you notice how much better they taste compared to the store bought sauces? Through my travels, I have noticed that I enjoyed most of their homemade sauces and I wanted to recreate that amazing taste. The flavor of this sauce is really inspired by my favorite barbecue joints in Austin, Texas like Terry Blacks BBQ and Franklins BBQ.

My favorite sauces seem to have some consistent flavors. They typically are not overly spicy, they have a bit of tang / acidity (vinegar) and there is also a hint of sweetness. They are also more liquid (low viscosity) compared to store bought sauces. The lower viscosity sauce seems to compliment pulled pork and brisket much better. The lower viscosity sauce works great in a squeeze bottle. 

Homemade BBQ sauce pouring into a funnel

After trying many different recipes, I finally came up with one that I really enjoy. First of all, it is a very easy homemade bbq sauce recipe. The ingredients are typically in every household, which keeps things simple. This is a very mainstream / classic bbq flavored sauce, but don’t be fooled, it is full of flavor and works well with so many dishes. We enjoy it on ribs, chicken, taco’s, fajitas, and scrambled eggs. This is an extremely universal bbq sauce. I typically like spicy sauces, but this is one of the few low spice level sauces that I can enjoy with my 8 and 10 year old daughters.  And since it’s a favorite of my daughters, it becomes extra special, if I use the pink piggie spatula!

pink spatula in a measuring cup

This homemade barbecue sauce only takes 25 minutes to make so you have something to do while your meat rests in the cambro! Try out our other favorite BBQ sauces.

Equipment

  • Medium sauce pan
  • Spatula
  • Funnel
  • Squeeze bottle

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup Ketchup “I use French’s”
  • 2 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder subsitute with chipotle chili powder to increase the heat
  • 1 tbsp Cumin Secret Ingredient!
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground pepper
  • 2 tsp Brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup White vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions

  • Simply mix all the ingredients into a sauce pan. Mix over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Do not boil.
  • Let cool. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate. The sauce will last approximately one month if refrigerated. Enjoy.
Homemade BBQ sauce in a pot
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3.92 from 12 votes

Homemade BBQ Sauce

A very mainstream / classic bbq flavored sauce but don’t be fooled. It is full of flavor and works well with so many dishes. We use it on ribs, chicken, taco’s, fajitas, and eggs. This is an extremely universal bbq sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best barbecue sauce, best bbq sauce, homemade bbq sauce, vinegar bbq sauce
Servings: 1
Calories: 18kcal
Author: AngryBBQ Team

Equipment

  • Medium sauce pan
  • Spatula
  • Funnel
  • Squeeze bottle

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup Ketchup "I use French's"
  • 2 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder subsitute with chipotle chili powder to increase the heat
  • 1 tbsp Cumin Secret Ingredient!
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground pepper
  • 2 tsp Brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup White vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions

  • Simply mix all the ingredients into a sauce pan. Mix over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Do not boil.
  • Let cool. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate. The sauce will last approximately one month if refrigerated. Enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5oz | Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 289mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3.7g | Calcium: 6mg

Michael Haas

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9 Comments

9 thoughts on “Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe”

  1. Most bbq sauce recipes I find call for a lot more sugar. Would you say it’s significantly less sweet then most sauces you have had?

    Reply
    • Hi Tucker, You are right, this isn’t a sweet BBQ sauce. It is more acidic (apple cider vinegar) but not bitter by any means. It is similar to what you would find in a central Texas sauce. Personally, it is my favorite and I use it on everything. Give it a shot and see what you think. You will not be disappointed.

      Reply
      • Holy smokes. I smoked my first brisket and a couple racks or ribs. This sauce ended up being a phenomenal addition to our weekend bbq meals. Thanks!

        Reply
  2. I have a similar recipe for BBQ sauce that has fresh onions and garlic. But the big difference is I’l replace the 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of drippings from the meat I’m cooking. No sense in wasting all that good flavor.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    This is totally awesome! Who would have thought that cumin would be the ticket. The flavors blend so well together and we’re saving this recipe!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

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9 thoughts on “Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe”

  1. Most bbq sauce recipes I find call for a lot more sugar. Would you say it’s significantly less sweet then most sauces you have had?

    Reply
    • Hi Tucker, You are right, this isn’t a sweet BBQ sauce. It is more acidic (apple cider vinegar) but not bitter by any means. It is similar to what you would find in a central Texas sauce. Personally, it is my favorite and I use it on everything. Give it a shot and see what you think. You will not be disappointed.

      Reply
      • Holy smokes. I smoked my first brisket and a couple racks or ribs. This sauce ended up being a phenomenal addition to our weekend bbq meals. Thanks!

        Reply
  2. I have a similar recipe for BBQ sauce that has fresh onions and garlic. But the big difference is I’l replace the 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of drippings from the meat I’m cooking. No sense in wasting all that good flavor.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    This is totally awesome! Who would have thought that cumin would be the ticket. The flavors blend so well together and we’re saving this recipe!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating