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4.9/5
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By: Polly Conner
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A little tangy, a little sweet, and a little heat. This Homemade BBQ Sauce has it all and only requires a few ingredients.
“Seriously guys, you should be trumpeting your BBQ sauce recipe from the rooftops. Since I first used this back in testing your last book, I haven’t purchased a bottle of BBQ sauce because they all SUCK in comparison to your recipe!” – JoAnn
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love this Recipe
- Customization: You can tailor the sauce to personal taste preferences.
- Freshness: Using fresh ingredients yields a vibrant and authentic flavor.
- Convenience: If you run out of the store bought, you can always make your own.
- Quality Control: Homemade BBQ sauce allows people to control the quality of the ingredients they use.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
- Apple cider vinegar – Gives great tang and flavor, but white vinegar will work in a pinch.
- Ketchup – We suggest buying all-natural or organic to avoid additives and HFCS.
- Dark brown sugar – Light brown sugar will work, if you don’t have dark.
- Molasses – This is the ingredient you may not have on hand. I store it in the refrigerator and it keeps a long time.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
Combine Ingredients
Simply dump all the ingredients in a mixing bowl or large measuring cup. Using a fork or a whisk, combine all of the ingredients.
Cook the Sauce
Next, bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then let it simmer on the stove for about 20 minutes over medium-low heat until it thickens.
Store the BBQ Sauce
Let it cool and then ladle it into a mason jar.
Refrigerate or Freeze: Depending on how long you intend to store it, you can choose to refrigerate or freeze the sauce:
- Refrigeration: If you plan to use the sauce within a few weeks, store it in the refrigerator. Homemade BBQ sauce can typically last in the fridge for 2-4 weeks.
- Freezing: For longer-term storage, you can freeze homemade BBQ sauce. Use an airtight, freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top to account for expansion. BBQ sauce can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without significant loss of quality.
Recipes That Use Homemade BBQ Sauce
You’ll love using your amazing homemade bbq sauce in some of these recipes from our site.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
FAQs
It was a little tangy for our preference.Can I reduce the amount of apple cider vinegar, or do I need to add extra liquid to replace that?
You can for sure tinker with the ingredients. That’s the beauty of making condiments at home! While I haven’t done it personally, I don’t think reducing the apple cider vinegar will affect the texture outcome.
How long will homemade BBQ Sauce keep in the refrigerator?
2-4 weeks is what is recommended.
Can I freeze BBQ Sauce?
Absolutely. Use an airtight, freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top to account for expansion. BBQ sauce can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without significant loss of quality.
More Homemade Condiments You’ll Love
A significant challenge when following a clean, real foods diet is dealing with condiments, as store-bought ones are often laden with additives and preservatives. Crafting your own condiments, whenever possible, is both healthier and more flavorful.
Try some of our other popular homemade condiments, like these:
- Cilantro Lime Aioli (or Avocado Aioli) – For tacos, burritos, sandwiches.
- Homemade Salad Dressings – Takes salads to the next level.
- Homemade Pesto – Only 5 ingredients.
- Marinara Sauce – Slow cooks all day in the crockpot.
- Pizza Sauce – Fast and easy.
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce – Great with chicken nuggets or chicken meatballs.
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.9 from 8 reviews
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Homemade BBQ Sauce is the best way to zest up your meal. YUM! Includes freezing instructions.
Yield: 1.5 cups 1x
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 20 minutesTotal: 25 minutes
Print RecipeRate Pin for Later
Units:
Scale:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup all-natural ketchup
- 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make It Now:
- In a small mixing bowl, place all ingredients together. Stir with a whisk until well combined.
- In a medium sauce pan, bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens.
Freeze For Later: Let the sauce cool completely. Then, pour it into a small freezer bag, mason jar, or freezer container with lid. Seal and freeze. (If using a mason jar, be sure to leave at least 1 inch of headspace at the top.)
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw using one of these safe methods and use according to your recipe.
Notes/Tips
This sauce is on the tangy end of the taste spectrum. If you want less tang, you can use less apple cider vinegar.
Storage Options:
- Refrigeration: If you plan to use the sauce within a few weeks, store it in the refrigerator. Homemade BBQ sauce can typically last in the fridge for 2-4 weeks.
- Freezing: For longer-term storage, you can freeze homemade BBQ sauce. Use an airtight, freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top to account for expansion. BBQ sauce can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without significant loss of quality.
© Author: Polly Conner
Cuisine:AmericanMethod:Stove Top
Polly Conner
As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.
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Reader Interactions
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Deb saysDefinitely will use this recipe again & again. I like the tanginess and sweetness. I have used it on pork & chicken……so far!
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Wonderful to hear Deb. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
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- Patti says
My husband loves this sauce! This is now my go-to BBQ sauce.
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Fun! Always love to win over a husband! Thanks for leaving a review Patti.
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- Natalie says
Tangy and delicious! Goes great with y’all’s pulled pork!!
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Natalie! Glad you liked both the homemade BBQ sauce and the pulled pork! Thanks for leaving a review.
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- John K says
What you are describing is, basically, a classic Carolina BBQ sauce, lose the ketchup and molasses, and you have a true Eastern Carolina sauce. Ketchup is typically only used in Western Carolina sauce. Wars have been known to break out over the difference… 😉
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Thanks for the heads up John! Good thing we’re based in Mid-Missouri so we won’t cause any fighting with adding ketchup to our BBQ Sauce. 🙂
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- Kelsey says
Tasted great, but a little tangy/sour for our kids’ preference. Can I reduce the amount of apple cider vinegar, or do I need to add extra liquid to replace that?
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Kelsey. You can for sure tinker with the ingredients. That’s the beauty of making condiments at home! While I haven’t done it personally, I don’t think reducing the apple cider vinegar will affect the texture outcome.
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- Crystal Rose says
This BBQ sauce is UH-MAZE-EEENG!!! SOOOO GOOD!!! I’m making a big batch to jar up for Christmas presents tomorrow. My family is gonna love this so much! THANK YOU for this incredible recipe!!
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Thank you Crystal! You know it’s good if you’re willing to make it as gifts!
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- Crystal R says
I live with and take care of my elderly aunt and uncle. We had our family Christmas gathering here earlier tonight. To say my uncle loved this sauce is a huge understatement. I made the Slow Cooker BBQ Beef for Sandwiches recipe using this sauce and he went absolutely nuts over it. He said it was the absolute BEST BBQ he has EVER eaten in his 81 years of life from ANYWHERE. We are in Texas where you can get the best BBQ on the planet so for him to say that is a huge testament to how GOOD this stuff is!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SAUCE!!! I’m so HAPPY to have found this recipe and will NEVER buy a bottle of BBQ sauce at the store again <3 Best Christmas gift EVER!! Thanks, Carla!! Merry Christmas!
- Carla from Thriving Home says
Oh my goodness Crystal, that is high praise indeed! Thank you for sharing. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
- IP says
Had to cut the sweeteners (brown sugar and molasses) had to keep sugars around 5 and also minimize salt. It works
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- Rachel Tiemeyer says
Yep, always feel free to tweak for your dietary needs or preferences.
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- Trish says
This looks great! How long does it last in the refridgerator?
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- Rachel Tiemeyer says
I’d say easily 3-4 weeks, probably longer.
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- LuAnn Szabo says
This is our favorite go to recipe for homemade BBQ sauce! It’s simple, easy and tastes delicious!
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- Rachel Tiemeyer says
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, LuAnn.
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- Vanessa says
Sounds so good! Can’t wait to make it! Question: About how long will it keep in the refrigerator?
Thanks!Reply
