Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Tangy, smoky, and richly sweet, this simmered sauce beats anything from a bottle.

Total 40 min Makes 16 oz Calories 45/serving

Dietary

Pescatarian, Wheat free, Dairy free, Nut free, Halal, Kosher

This stovetop barbecue sauce combines ketchup, molasses, and vinegar with warm spices for a glossy, deeply flavored condiment. Simmering allows the sugars to caramelize slightly and the flavors to meld into a balanced sweet-tangy-smoky sauce. It's ideal for brushing on ribs, chicken, or pulled pork, or for serving alongside grilled meats.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water

Method

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. Stir in the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and water until well combined.

  4. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy, about 25 to 30 minutes.

  5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, or heat as desired.

  6. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Rate this recipe

★ 3.9 (1)

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

This stovetop barbecue sauce combines ketchup, molasses, and vinegar with warm spices for a glossy, deeply flavored condiment. Simmering allows the sugars to caramelize slightly and the flavors to meld into a balanced sweet-tangy-smoky sauce. It's ideal for brushing on ribs, chicken, or pulled pork, or for serving alongside grilled meats.

40 min 16 oz 45 cal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water

Method

  1. 1

    Heat the vegetable oil in a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Stir in the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and water until well combined.

  4. 4

    Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy, about 25 to 30 minutes.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, or heat as desired.

  6. 6

    Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks.