It’s grilling season, so it’s only fair (and just in time) that I make my BBQ Sauce. This sweet, spicy, and tangy BBQ sauce is easy to make and will elevate your summer grilling experience to new heights. Although making your BBQ sauce costs less than buying it, it is still worth it. I also love the rich flavour and control over all ingredients.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE?
I have a problem with condiments. I have way too many half-used condiments in my fridge. So when I can make a homemade recipe with pantry staples, that’s what I do. Although it’s not always cheaper, the fact that I can make my sauce with pantry staples instead of purchasing something new is a huge advantage. This version does not contain mystery thickeners, sweeteners, or emulsifiers.
CAN YOU FREEZE THIS SAUCE?
This Homemade BBQ Sauce freezes well if you have any leftovers. It can be packed in a freezer-safe container such as a Ziploc container or freezer bag or portioned into an Ice Cube tray. Label it and freeze. It will keep for at most a few months in the freezer.
HOW TO USE HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE
You’ll be a BBQ sauce lover if you already know how versatile it is. You’re missing out if you haven’t tried it with barbecue meat. Here are some other ways I love to use BBQ sauce.
- To top meatloaf (see Sheet Pan BBQ Meatloaf Dinner)
- In quesadillas
- As a pizza sauce (see BBQ Black Bean Quesadillas)
- For top-of-the-line meals, see Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls
- Sandwiches (see BBQ Torfu Sliders).
- Use it as a sauce for beans (see Barbecue Beef and Beans).
- Delicious meatballs can be smothered with BBQ Meatballs with Chees Grits
- For coating chicken wings, see Baked Chicken Wings
CAN I USE LOWER SUGAR?
BBQ sauce is a sweet sauce by nature. Both brown sugar and molasses are used in this recipe to sweeten it, balance the acidity and give it a glaze-like texture. You can experiment with lower sugar levels to find what you like. You can also search for low-sugar BBQ sauces to find recipes that are already balanced with lower sugar.
HOMEMADE BBQ Sauce
This homemade, sweet, tangy bbq sauce is easy to make and requires no ketchup. It’s great for grilling as well!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: Each 1/4 cup
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz. tomato sauce ($0.25)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste ($0.10)
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar ($0.12)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08)
- 2 Tbsp molasses* ($0.35)
- 1/2 Tbsp Dijon ($0.05)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce ($0.02)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ($0.02)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp cayenne ($0.01)
- Freshly cracked pepper (about 10 cranks in a pepper mill) ($0.02)
- Salt to taste ($0.02)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients except for the salt. Mix well and heat on medium heat. Let it simmer for a while.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste (I didn’t add any).
NOTES
*Not black strap Molasses. I used Grandma’s Molasses. Which is light, unsulfured molasses.
NUTRITION
Calories: 83.93 Kcal Carbohydrates are 19.78 G Protein: 1.23 G Fat: 0.25g Sodium 521.93 mg Fiber 1.28 g