It's so easy to make your own homemade sweet BBQ sauce! Use this recipe on ribs, chicken, pork, and as a condiment for your burgers and fries!
Have you ever made your own BBQ sauce?
Growing up, we always bought BBQ sauce. So I thought there must be some difficult or time-consuming process to make it.
Nope! It's not difficult and it doesn't require any wacky or special ingredients.
Homemade barbecue sauce can be made with ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry. And the process to make your own BBQ sauce at home is so easy!
What kind of BBQ sauce do you want to make?
There are so many different types of BBQ sauce. My personal favorite recipe is this ketchup-based, sweet BBQ sauce recipe that I am sharing below.
However, other types of popular BBQ sauces include:
- Kansas City-style BBQ sauce is a popular style that you find a lot on store shelves and in restaurants. It's sweet, tangy, thick, and includes ketchup and molasses.
- Texas-style BBQ sauce is sometimes known as "mop sauce" or "basting sauce." It's typically thinner than Kansas City-style BBQ sauce.
- Eastern North Carolina-style BBQ sauce is vinegar-based sauce that traditionally does not contain ketchup. It typically is made of white vinegar, cider vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and Tabasco sauce.
There are also mustard-based vinegar sauces and white BBQ sauces. But my favorite is this simple, ketchup-based, sweet BBQ sauce.
What's in this sweet BBQ sauce recipe?
To make this sweet BBQ sauce, you'll need a few pantry staple ingredients:
- ketchup
- water
- apple cider vinegar
- light brown sugar
- paprika
- Worcestershire sauce
- sugar
- black pepper
- lemon juice
How to make your own BBQ sauce
You just need one pot and 30 minute to make this delicious sauce! Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every once in a while.
One of my favorite things while cooking up dishes for an outdoor BBQ or picnic is making this sauce. I love watching it transform from a raw cold mix of ingredients into a smooth, silky, shiny, GORGEOUS sweet BBQ sauce.
It's a thing of beauty, my friends. And it tastes AMAZING!
Ways to use this homemade sweet BBQ sauce
I love to generously slather this homemade BBQ sauce on my Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, which are initially covered in this homemade BBQ dry rub. So good!
You can also use this sauce:
- with grilled chicken
- with pulled pork
- on pizza
- as a condiment on your burgers
- to glaze meatloaf
- as a dipping sauce for fries, tater tots, or popcorn chicken
- to coat meatballs
How long does homemade bbq sauce last?
This homemade BBQ sauce should be kept in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Technically, it will likely be safe to eat for up to one month, but the taste will start changing after a couple of weeks.
More BBQ Recipes
Best BBQ Rub
Perfect BBQ Side Dish Recipe: Corn with Basil Lime Butter
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce
Grilled Bourbon Chicken
Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Get Recipe IngredientsInstructions
- In a medium saucepot over medium-high heat, combine all ingredients. Stir well, and bring mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer on low, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Will be trying this on so many different grilled dishes soon! Thanks for this yummy recipe!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
Homemade BBQ sauce is the only way to go! Sweet BBQ is my favorite, too - I can't wait to give this a try!
Anita says
I made this sauce and then made some BBQ chicken wings. They were so good. :)
Kelly Anthony says
What a great way to save money by making your own BBQ sauce. I also like that I can adjust the flavors to make them just the way I like them.
Patty at Spoonabilities says
My favorite BBQ sauce is definitely the sweet ones! I've never thought of making it myself and love that it's so easy!
Jessica Formicola says
Homemade sauces are my favorite! I can't wait to try this one- especially since it's grilling season!
Andrea Metlika says
Sweet BBQ sauce is my absolute favorite. I didn't know it was this easy to make. Making it myself from now on.