Homemade BBQ Sauce
Transform ordinary grilled meats and vegetables with this rich, smoky, and perfectly balanced homemade barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
- •2 cups ketchup (480ml)
- •1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (120ml)
- •1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed (70g)
- •1/4 cup molasses (80g)
- •2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (certified kosher)
- •1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon onion powder
- •1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- •1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •1/4 cup water (60ml)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring well with a whisk.
- 2
Whisk in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper until fully incorporated.
- 3
Pour in the water and stir to bring the sauce to a uniform consistency.
- 4
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent the sugars from scorching on the bottom.
- 5
Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pan to prevent splattering, and let the sauce simmer gently for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired coating consistency.
- 6
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to a jar or airtight container.
💡 Chef tips
- Store the homemade BBQ sauce in a tightly sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- For a sweeter sauce, you can slightly increase the brown sugar, or add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar if you prefer more tang.
- Make this sauce a day ahead of time to allow the smoky and savory flavors to meld even further.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished BBQ sauce is glossy and deeply amber-colored with a rich, smoky aroma and a well-balanced sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile.