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A spoonful of thick, glossy Homemade BBQ Sauce drips into a clear glass jar, resting on a rustic wooden cutting board.
Maryam

Smoky Sweet & Tangy Homemade BBQ Sauce

This versatile homemade BBQ sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors, perfect for glazing ribs, chicken, or dipping. It's easy to make and far surpasses store-bought varieties.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 55
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce Base
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
For the Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Airtight jar or container

Method
 

Combine Wet Ingredients
  1. In a large saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water, dark brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk well until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Add Dry Seasonings
  1. Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Whisk again until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Simmer
  1. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low.
Thicken
  1. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, especially towards the end. The sauce should thicken to your desired consistency. It will thicken further as it cools.
Cool and Store
  1. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the BBQ sauce cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight jar or container.

Notes

• **Storage:** Store homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.
• **Serving Suggestions:** This sauce is fantastic on grilled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, burgers, or as a dipping sauce for fries and onion rings.
• **Adjusting Heat:** For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of dried red pepper flakes. For less heat, omit the cayenne entirely.
• **Smokiness:** If you want an even deeper smoky flavor, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke (use sparingly as it's very potent) along with the other seasonings.