The Best Homemade Barbecue Sauce {BBQ Sauce}
I’ve made a lot of BBQ sauce recipes in my day and this is hands down the best BBQ sauce ever!
Thick and smoky, tangy and sweet, this is the best homemade barbecue sauce I have ever made.
Several years ago, I set out to find my go-to recipe for BBQ sauce and when I found this gem, the search was over (you may recognize this recipe; it was originally posted all the way back in March 2010!).
In fact, it’s the only homemade barbecue sauce I’ve made for the last six years and if you know me and my tendency to get bored with recipes very easily, that should tell you just how good it is.
I always have a jar of this in my fridge and some in the freezer (because who has time to make homemade barbecue sauce every time the need arises, right?). It keeps very well in the refrigerator for several weeks and freezes for months.
The flavors are spot on for a not too vinegary, not too ketchupy, not too sweetsy, not too watery BBQ sauce and it’s so easy – stir everything together in a pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Seriously! Homemade barbecue sauce for the win.
Brian is a total BBQ sauce snob (one of the few things he really has a strong opinion about; bless his calm and peaceful nature forever) and I’m afraid this homemade version has only intensified that issue.
He far prefers it over any of his old favorite storebought brands (although he won’t turn away Sweet Baby Ray’s now and then, that’s for sure).
If you’ve never made homemade barbecue sauce, now’s the time!
It’s so simple and the flavors are incredibly delicious.
You can see from the comment thread of this recipe that I’m not the only one who has a deep and abiding love for this barbecue sauce.
Once you’ve made this recipe a couple times, start experimenting with different variations! I sometimes use smoked paprika instead of regular, and one time I used sriracha ketchup (yes, it’s a thing; I died when I saw it in the grocery store) in place of standard ketchup for an extra spicy, extra delicious version.
I’ve included a few other variations in the notes of the recipe but overall, I’ve left the original recipe the same.
I hope this homemade BBQ sauce makes you as happy as it does me and my family!
FAQs for Best Homemade BBQ Sauce
I usually portion it into freezer ziploc bags because they lay flat – then, when I defrost it, if I’m not using it all, I pour it into a jar and refrigerate.
I usually use the Heinz natural brand (without HCFS) but you could also use regular Heinz.
I have kept it in the fridge for up to a month with no problem.
One Year Ago: Amazing and Simple Greek Feta Dip
Two Years Ago: Skillet Chicken with Broccoli, Pasta, and Parmesan
Three Years Ago: Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
The Best Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cups red wine vinegar
- ½ cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, cut into small pieces
- 4 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ to 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together all the wet ingredients and then add the seasonings.
- Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Once cooled, the sauce can be frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as needed.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: sent to me by my friend, Liz K. (by way of this recipe on allrecipes)
202 Comments on “The Best Homemade Barbecue Sauce {BBQ Sauce}”
This is our family’s favorite and friends always enjoy it as well. It’s easy and delicious!
The absolute best bbq sauce!!!!
This is the BEST sauce ever. I canned it and gave some to my sister for Christmas. She loved it as do I. I’m going to make more.
My family and I love this sauce.It is my go to for bbq sauce. Thank you for sharing!
My family loves this. Thank you for sharing.
This is delicious. I made it to put on pulled pork sandwiches for our Father’s Day picnic and I got nothing but rave reviews. I want to make a batch and be able to process it in little half pint jars I wonder how long I’ll need to process it in a hot water bath
This is now my go to sauce!!!! I love it!
So yummy! I’m having a hard time not just eating it with a spoon! Any thoughts on how to make it a bit thicker? Maybe replace one cup of tomato sauce with puree or paste??
Yes, that’s a great idea (also the longer it simmers, it thickens up a bit).
Very good and so easy, thank you. I am going to make bbq chicken pizza.
Have you tried this with sugar free ketchup?? How did it turn out? My brother is diabetic, so I thought I would make him some.
I haven’t, but it’s worth a try!
So good! Trying to stop sneaking spoonfuls before dinner. Ran out of liquid smoke but stuck it in the smoker for a bit after mixing the rest of the ingredients together. It’s perfect. Thanks, Mel, for another delicious recipe!
Wright’s Liquid Smoke is the absolute best! No fillers, sugars, colorings, etc.
Just pure distilled liquid smoke. In addition, you can use much less, probably a teaspoon for this recipe.
Great barbecue sauce. I’m rather picky when it comes to sauces and rarely use it due to my dislike of it. However, this is really good and simple to make.
Is it possible to can this rather than freezing it?
It hasn’t been tested for canning safety, so I can’t say for sure how it would work. Sorry.
OK….. The second item on your list says; “Tomato Sauce”. In the UK this is just another way of saying, “ketchup” so it would be confusing to most. After careful perusal, I believe it’s what we would call, “Tomato Purée”!
So, if you would amend this with puree in brackets, British pallets would thank you for it….. Otherwise 10/10!
John
John,
In the US, tomato sauce is different than tomato puree. Tomato sauce has spices and seasonings in it, whereas tomato puree is usually just tomatoes and salt. Hope this helps.
Oh my gosh Mel! I’ve been making this sauce the last few years. I made it recently for my sister, brother-in-law and their crew and my brother-in-law made my sister so mad the way he carried on about it. Seriously, all my husband could say was “I told you I married well!” Thank You!
this BBQ is sooo good! Thank you for another delicious recipe.
Anxious to make this after reading all the positive comments. Since it makes 7 cups, I want to get it right. I’d really appreciate it if you’d share which brand of red wine vinegar you use for this recipe?
I usually use the Star or Pompeian brand.
I am coming off of a very bad meal from last night. To save time, I purchased the Costco Kirkland Smoked Pulled Pork. Too smoky for me. Tonight i am going to a bbq theme dinner party and am making shredded beef. I just made this sauce. It reminds me of the one that was passed down to me by my Mom that I have been using for 40+ years. My recipe has dried mustard, a little worchestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and half the brown sugar was replaced with honey. The liquid smoke, chili powder and celery seed is new. I left the liquid smoke off this time as the smoked flavor does not taste good to me. I like that your recipe uses tomato sauce and not all ketchup for less sweetness. Thank you.
This is a beautiful BBQ sauce
I have to cut back on sugar, can I use Monk Fruit in place of the brown sugar?
I have no idea – never tried that…but you could definitely experiment!
Absolutely perfect bbq sauce! Yum
Do you think I could use watered down tomato paste in replace of tomato sauce? Do you have a ratio of paste to water that you have used for anything?
I’ve heard using one part tomato paste to one part water can make tomato sauce but I haven’t tried it myself.
I’m having a party this weekend and am going to use your BBQ Sauce. I’ll let you know how it goes. Sounds delicious!
Alan, I could be mistaken but I think once something is published on Allrecipes.com, you are giving permission for someone to make your recipe. The recipes are there for people to make. If you don’t want someone to make your recipe, then I would suggest that you don’t put it on an incredibly public website. Mel never claimed that she created the recipe. She even said, “Several years ago, I set out to find my go-to recipe for BBQ sauce and when I found this gem, the search was over.” She included the link to your recipe. You should be happy that so many people are enjoying your recipe and stop complaining because she wanted to share her great find.
How many servings does this make?
It makes about 7 cups.
Oh WOW!!! This is fabulous! Great smoky flavor combined with the sweet and heat is perfectly balanced. I’ve experimented with bbq sauces for years and this is the best! I did use apple cider vinegar as that’s all I had on hand but will try the red wine vinegar next time to see if it’s even better!
I made this just a couple of days ago and now I need more, it is so delicious that I am finding things to use it with. Thank God it’s 4th of July week! I hope you believe me when I tell you that I have been working on barbecue sauce for 20 years and this to me is the best I have had. I like it sweet, spicy and tangy, if you agree then this is your sauce. Thank you so much Mel, you rocked it.
Its just OK. I tried Big Al’s recipe years ago. Its basically a Sweet Baby Ray’s knock off with a little cinnamon added. Waaaay too sweet! If your from KC (which i am) then you know there are better sauces. By the way. Why dose everyone in the wolrd think KC bbq sauce is super sweet? The best kansas city bbq restaurants do not serve overly sweet sauces. Gates, Bryants, jack stack, q39 to name a few. I guess kc masterpiece ruined our image for ever!
The cinnamon kind of threw me at first but I’m pretty sure it works I made this today and it smells great and has a nice flavor I wanted some more heat so I added a tablespoon of Tabasco but other than that I made as the recipe calls for Good job on the recipe thank you very much !
Sorry but don’t understand, can you tell me what do you mean, this barbecue sauce asks for 2cups of ketchup and 2cups of tomato sauce, what sort of tomato sauce, to me they are the same thing, can you please explain !! Many thanks.
Tomato sauce is a pureed tomato sauce with nothing added – and ketchup is a condiment we usually eat on hamburgers (I think it’s referred to as tomato sauce in the UK).
The cinnamon kind of threw me at first but I’m pretty sure it works I made this today and it smells great and has a nice flavor I wanted some more heat so I added a tablespoon of Tabasco but other than that I made as the recipe calls for Good job on the recipe thank you very much ! I had to let the sauce cool down a little bit to taste it again but now the only word I can use to describe it is fabulous and do not be afraid to add that Tabasco sauce !!
All here agree , the best !
This is honestly the best bbq sauce I have ever had!
My husband and I decided to make a homemade bbq sauce for the first time for ribs today and we both absolutely love this sauce! So good!
Very good recipe!!!! Funny, I did all the things you mentioned including the smoked paprika before I even read your notes to do so.(i seriously LOVE smoked paprika) Very delicious and very easy to do! I, also, added a 3/4 tsp of potato flour to thicken it just a smidge! (Potato flour because I’m celiac and have found it is a great thing to use to thicken sauces and gravies… I wish I had known about it before knowing I’m celiac. It is so easy to use compared to flour or corn starch. You can just add it directly add it to what your making with no clumps) Any ways, thanks again for an awesome recipe! I will be using it from now on!!!
How the hell is this (and many many others) homemade Smokey barbecue sauce?
I have an excess of tomatoes and have literally wasted 1/2 an hr searching “homemade” to discover EVERY recipe under the “homemade” search uses commercial sauce as a base.
Very sad and frustrating
Brent, it may take extra time but why not try making homemade tomato sauce and proceed from there. Just an idea.
Brent, it may take extra time but why not try making homemade tomato sauce and proceed from there. Just an idea. Who knows, it may even turn out better than this recipe.
Has anyone canned this recipe? I love it, would like to do a larger batch and put into pint jars. If anyone can tell me if it’s safe to can and even pressure canner processing times, that would be awesome!
I just came across your blogspot this past month while being in quarantine. I have made several recipes, and they are all terrific!! I just made the BBQ sauce a few days ago, and loved it. In fact, I loved it so much, I made another batch and bottled it all!! For those who wonder, with all of the vinegar in it, I just water bathed it in small half-pint jars. I have given almost all away, and will be making more soon, to keep for myself!!! Thanks so much for sharing your treasured recipes!!
My kid would drink this sauce from a cup if I allowed it- it’s that loved in our home. I think the cinnamon adds a little something special. Thanks, Mel! Absolutely superb!!
This is the one of the best BBQ Sauce that I have taste. I have made it and will keep it in my freezer . Thanks
This recipe is easy and delicious. I made a double batch and filled catsup squirt bottles (with attacked caps) as gifts. I substituted honey for the molasses and left out celery seed. Keeps fresh in refrigerator for months.
Honestly the search is over for my new and permanent go to sauce. Put it on chicken, pork, beef, whatever it won’t disappoint. I adjust the recipe for what I’m cooking but the base sauce stays the same for the most part. I normally simmer mine for a couple of hours but an hour will most certainly do the trick. I’ve even gone so far as to put the pot on my charcoal grill and toss on some wood chips to help give it even more flavor. If anybody has questions about that whole process of smoking it feel free to email me about it michaelkarla38@gmail.com
Any idea how long a jar of this would stay good in the fridge?
Probably at least a week, probably two.
Several months. I made a batch a while back and forgot I had it in the back of the fridge. Made another pork and found it and it still smelled and tasted great and no one got sick. So just as safe as leaving ketchup in the fridge I would think.
Mel, very good sauce, I tweaked it a little by using sriracha sauce instead of cayenne pepper and I added 1tsp of mustard power. Very simple sauce to make, I cooked it for about an hour and that just helps blend the ingredients. Want buy BBQ sauce anymore. Thanks Ron
Ran to the grocery store, got the liquid smoke and made it tonight .
All the men present tried it and loved it will be perfect for the 4th of
July. Found your blog today and I am enjoying it very much, thanks
for such terrific recipes and ideas. (Love your picture with the children
as I have one daughter and five ‘boys’, the boys always say six with Papa,
he counts as one of the boys……)
Haha, I love that! Glad the sauce was a hit!
Hi Mel! My family has been enjoying this BBQ Sauce since I first came across the recipe on your site in February 2013. We used it initially for your BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe (and still do) but we also like this sauce on chicken, in baked beans and as a dipping sauce for french fries. This remains our absolute favorite BBQ Sauce.
Happy you love it after all these years, Kathy!
I’m glad everyone is enjoying the bbq sauce I created. It’s ashamed she’s claiming as her own. I published this on allrecipes.com in 2003. Big Al’s KC Bbq sauce. Alan Arthur
Hey there, Alan! There’s a link included to your AllRecipes version right up there below the recipe (the link has been there for years), so never fear, I didn’t rip this off and claim it as my own. It is indeed delicious! Thanks for sharing it via AllRecipes…such a great site for free recipe sharing.
You’re a real piece of work, Arthur. This nice lady works hard to perfect recipes and shares them for free, plus gives proper credit for others’ recipes and here you come along with your unwarranted knee jerk reaction. Shame on you.
It’s a shame you didn’t see that Mel has a link to your recipe, as she always does when she is posting a recipe from another source. You didn’t invent BBQ sauce, but I noticed you didn’t give credit to the source or sources on which you based your recipe.
Looks amazing. I have recently discovered chipotle peppers in adobo sauce so they will definitely have a staring role in your sauce.
Great start, but too sweet for me. I am partial to less sweet – more heat. So I cut the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and then added more black pepper, almost double the smoke and added crushed red pepper & hot sauce to zing it up a bit. I’m from Austin and many folks like a sauce closer to Rudy’s and that is what I was going for.
Hi Mel, I was wondering if you’ve ever tried making this in your instant pot? I’ve been looking through the Instant Pot cookbook and saw that they have a recipe for BBQ sauce. We love yours and I’m wondering if I could adapt your recipe using their method? It probably wouldn’t save much time, but why not try everything in the Instant Pot?? 🙂
Hey Becky, I haven’t because like you said, I’m not sure it would save time, but I think it could definitely be done!
Hi.. Can I omit the red wine vinegar? or is there any substitute for that?
You could try subbing in a different type of vinegar but I wouldn’t leave it out.
Hi Mira,
Apple Cider vinegar is always a staple in many homemade sauces. It’s my go to.
I also add a 1/2 cup of mustard to this great recipe.
I also dont like the strong vinegar taste so i use half what is suggested and always turns out perfect for my taste
I have been using this recipe for years and I’ve never tasted a better BBQ sauce. I’ve even given it as a Christmas present! Dee-licious!
HI I have been making my own barbecue sauces for years. This is the best one I have ever made. Company is coming tomorrow and I cant wait to add it to my crock pot of sloppy joes. This will be my all time favorite. I love pulled pork cant wait to use the rest of the sauce on that also. Thank you for sharing.
I saw this asked above but don’t see an answer. Can you make this without butter? What would you suggest as a substitute? Thanks. Love your blog and everything I’ve tried from here.
Hi Kate – yes, I think you could leave out the butter. 🙂