My Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now. It’s thick, sweet and tangy, perfect for using in all of your favorite BBQ recipes!
Skip the Store-Bought Sauce, my Homemade BBQ Sauce is so much better!
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own homemade BBQ sauce, then this recipe is for you! It is so easy, simple and fast – 15 minutes is all it takes!
I love making sauces and seasonings from scratch because when you make them yourself you can control the ingredients and flavors. You can make this BBQ sauce more or less sweet, spicy, tangy or smoky, so that it turns out just the way you like it!
This homemade BBQ sauce recipe has the best tangy, sweet, spicy, smoky flavor! I tested this recipe many, many times until I found the perfect combination of spices and seasonings to make this barbecue sauce the absolute best I’ve ever tasted. I think you’ll love it too!
Made this tonight with grilled chicken leg quarters and it was so good! Came together quickly with pantry staples! Will be my new go to recipe. Thanks!!!
Julie
Ingredient Notes
- Tomato Paste: Many homemade BBQ sauce recipes call for using ketchup as the base. Instead of ketchup, I use a combination of tomato paste and water to make a homemade BBQ sauce that is thick and rich.
- Water: You can adjust the amount of water to make a thicker or thinner BBQ sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Brings sweetness. I tested this recipe with honey in place of the brown sugar and the honey flavor really came through, so use brown sugar or honey depending on your flavor preferences.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: The vinegar brings acidity to balance out the sweet and makes the BBQ sauce tangy. You can increase the amount of apple cider vinegar for a tangier sauce.
- Molasses: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds umami flavor, giving the sauce a more complex flavor profile.
- Smoked Paprika: The smoked paprika makes all the difference in the flavor of this homemade BBQ sauce! It adds smoky flavor and a touch of spice. I often increase the amount of smoked paprika for more of a smoky flavor. If you like smoky BBQ sauce, you can double the amount of smoked paprika or add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Adjust the amounts to your tastes.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: We’re using just a small amount of each so that they don’t overpower the other flavors.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For spice! Adjust the amount to your tastes.
Find the printable recipe with ingredient amounts below.
How to Make BBQ Sauce
Plus, my tips for making the best BBQ sauce!
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Simmer. Heat the BBQ sauce on the stove over medium heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to blend the flavors together. Stir it often as it simmers to help it cook evenly.
Adjust the consistency and flavors. If the BBQ sauce is too thick, stir in a little more water until it reaches your desired consistency. Then taste the sauce and adjust the flavors to your preferences. If you want it sweeter, add another tablespoon or two of brown sugar. For more acidity, add another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
You can use your homemade BBQ sauce right away or let it cool and store it for using later.
How to Use Barbecue Sauce
I love to slather this homemade BBQ sauce on Grilled Chicken Thighs and Slow Cooker Ribs. It’s also a great sandwich spread and dipping sauce! Try it with my Turkey Burger Recipe and Chicken Tenders. It brings the best flavor to Crockpot BBQ Chicken and Instant Pot Pulled Pork.
You can make this BBQ sauce ahead and store it in your refrigerator for busy weeknights. When you’re not sure what to make for dinner, use it as a marinade for Grilled Chicken. Or try it in any of these recipes:
How to Store Homemade Barbecue Sauce
You can make this barbecue sauce ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 1 week. It also freezes great for longer storage. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Then let it thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
More Homemade Sauces
Here are a few more of my homemade sauce recipes that I think you’ll enjoy!
Made this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup water, plus more as needed to reach desired consistency
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar*
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- 1-2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes, optional, for spice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring or whisking often. Then reduce heat to a low simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring often.
- Add more water to thin the barbecue sauce if it is too thick. I usually add up to ½ cup more water to reach my desired consistency.
Notes
- Store BBQ sauce for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Honey may be used instead of brown sugar and will give the BBQ sauce a honey flavor.
- For a smoky flavor, you double the amount of smoked paprika or add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke.
- For sweeter BBQ sauce add another tablespoon or two of brown sugar.
- For tangier BBQ sauce add another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Recipe makes about 1 3/4 cups of BBQ sauce.
I originally shared this recipe in May 2019. Post updated June 2021 and May 2025 with new photos and more helpful tips.
I can’t wait to try this! I do have a bbq sauce recipe but never thought about using tomato paste! I’m going to also try freezing it! My kids go through A LOT of bbq sauce here so this would be a HUGE money saver! Plus, I hate processed foods. TY!!
I hope you love this one! It should freeze well. 🙂
Hi, if making in advance and refrigerating, how do I reheat at the time of using?
Kelsey, I would reheat on the stove under low heat and stirring occasionally.
This is a great bbq sauce! I made ours a little spicier and added a bit more water to thin out. Tasted great with our smoked brisket. I prefer using the tomato paste instead of ketchup, always taste better. Thanks!
Really enjoyed trying out this recipe. I will let you know how mu barbeque chicken went
Thank you or this recipe! I have an 11-month old baby and he generally eats what we do (with the exception of very salty condiments). This was a great replacement, I did add a drop of liquid smoke for the other members of the family who are more used to store-bought bbq sauce. This is very easy and (IMO) much tastier!
Made this tonight with grilled chicken leg quarters and it was so good! Came together quickly with pantry staples! Will be my new go to recipe. Thanks!!!
HI there,
If I need to use 1 cup of this sauce in your Instant Pot pulled pork recipe, how many “servings” of the sauce should I prepare to have enough for the pulled pork and maybe a little extra for serving?
Thanks
The recipe makes about 1 3/4 cups of sauce, so I would make the full recipe. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe yesterday for offering a ‘zippy’ dipping sauce for my smoked brisket. It was really delicious! Easy to make! I did substitute about 1 tsp of ground cayenne pepper for the red pepper flakes. Next time, for my own palette preference, I’m going to add a little more cayenne or use the red pepper flakes. I’m making pulled pork next and will use your recipe, but double the red wine vinegar. Thanks for a nice recipe!
Based on the ingredient list-why only good for one week in fridge. Seems like it should last longer?
It probably would, I just tend to err on the side of being extra cautious. 🙂
Made a batch of this today and tweaked it to our dietary needs (no salt added, and less sugar). It’s really good. I didn’t thin it out at all. We like it thick. Next time I may experiment using a sugar free brown sugar alternative. This will be a life saver. Oh, and I’m storing it in an empty glass dressing bottle I had on hand. The recipe fits perfectly in that. Thank you for the lovely recipe. 🙂
I adde double the amount and 1/4 tsp xanthan gum. Boy did it whip up HIGH!
Why only one week in the fridge? What would cause it to spoil?
Hi Laurie
Store bought sauce lasts longer because it has preservatives and it is sterilized/pasteurized when bottled. I always recommend caution with food safety.
Phenomenal taste! Why have I been buying from the supermarket all these years! Thank you
I ran out of barbecue sauce for a dish, and I’m so glad I found this recipe! It’s really good, and the only change I made is omitting the red pepper flakes.