Best Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe from Scratch (Step-by-Step)
This easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe from scratch is ready in 20 minutes! Smoky, sweet, and tangy – better than store-bought. No preservatives, no corn syrup. Perfect for ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and burgers. This award-winning recipe is completely customizable and uses simple pantry ingredients.
Equipment
- 1 Medium saucepan (heavy-bottomed preferred)
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- 1 Glass mason jar (for storage)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ketchup
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Molasses
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Cayenne pepper optional
- ¼ tsp Salt
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a medium saucepan until completely smooth.
- Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Transfer to an airtight glass jar and refrigerate.