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!

spoon of bbq sauce
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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.

Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

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?

mason jar of Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

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?

ingredients for Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

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

making homemade sweet 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

Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce Side Angle

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:

How long does homemade bbq sauce last?

mason jar full of Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

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

Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
This homemade barbecue sauce is so easy to make!
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • 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

This sauce makes enough to cover one standard half rack of BBQ babyback ribs, and about 8-10 ounces leftover. Store any remaining BBQ sauce in a mason jar or any other airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1208mg, Potassium: 462mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 50g, Vitamin A: 646IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce
Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

About Marlynn

I'm a cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, WSET 2 Certified wine pro, mom of two, and dog lover. I'm here to help you with fast, easy, and delicious recipes, food & wine pairings, cooking & baking tips, plus food and wine travel guides.

5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says:

    5 stars
    Will be trying this on so many different grilled dishes soon! Thanks for this yummy recipe!

  2. Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says:

    5 stars
    Homemade BBQ sauce is the only way to go! Sweet BBQ is my favorite, too – I can’t wait to give this a try!

  3. Anita says:

    5 stars
    I made this sauce and then made some BBQ chicken wings. They were so good. :)

  4. Kelly Anthony says:

    5 stars
    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.

  5. Patty at Spoonabilities says:

    5 stars
    My favorite BBQ sauce is definitely the sweet ones! I’ve never thought of making it myself and love that it’s so easy!

  6. Jessica Formicola says:

    5 stars
    Homemade sauces are my favorite! I can’t wait to try this one- especially since it’s grilling season!

  7. Andrea Metlika says:

    5 stars
    Sweet BBQ sauce is my absolute favorite. I didn’t know it was this easy to make. Making it myself from now on.