Ditch the bottled BBQ sauce for this easy homemade BBQ sauce. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy and whips up easily with simple pantry ingredients!
Ever been in a predicament and need barbecue sauce in a pinch? That’s what happened a few years ago to me – and the rest was history!
This sauce takes a little of this, and a little of that to make one of the most delicious BBQ sauce recipes I think I have ever had. What started out as a way to save a Saturday potluck has turned into the most appreciated condiment in our seven-person household.
It’s a little sweet.
It has a smidge of kick.
And it has a depth of flavor I can’t quite put my finger on.
One of the best things about this sauce is that it doesn’t use any refined sugar. We’ve made it with coconut palm sugar and with maple syrup and I love maple syrup the most. But if you don’t have either, you can use brown sugar (though it won’t be refined sugar free).
We have used this to make our favorite Hawaiian Chicken in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). We have also thrown chicken in the pressure cooker with this sauce with the goal of BBQ chicken to serve on top of rolls. Delicious.
Absolutely delicious!
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
The best part about this sauce is that it comes together quite easily and quickly. We used simple pantry ingredients that everyone probably has on hand. Start with organic ketchup, apple cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses, a little brown sugar (or, coconut palm sugar*), a few spoons of tomato paste and your spices.
Then, mix well and bring to a simmer on the stove, then store in a glass jar or use immediately on your favorite recipe. This recipe makes just under a cup and a half, and tastes absolutely delicious!
Pour it over your chicken, or dump it in the pressure cooker with your chicken to make easy BBQ chicken. Serve as a condiment to your hamburgers, or easy oven baked potato wedges.
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 C ketchup
- 1/3 C apple cider vinegar with the mother
- 1/4 C maple syrup *see alternatives in notes
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp dark molasses
- 2 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low, and cover.
- Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
- Cool, then enjoy.
- If you are not using immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Maple syrup substitutions: coconut palm sugar or brown sugar.
- Recipe makes 1.5 C., or 24 servings (each 1 Tbsp).
Nutrition
Can you can this recipe?
I haven’t tried canning this homemade BBQ sauce – so please, do you own research and follow the Ball preserving guidelines if you wish to try canning this recipe.
Have you ever considered making your own BBQ sauce?
If not, give it a try. It’s almost too simple to believe it could ever be so good!
If you do happen to try it, please leave a comment, rate the recipe and be sure to tag me on Instagram!
This is a great BbQ sauce and simple to make! I was out and didn’t know it and this recipe saved the day. I may never buy it at the store again.
Connie, so glad you liked it. I haven’t bought at the store since either… it is almost too easy. Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.
I made this tonight and it was great. I put it on brisket sandwiches. This will be my go to recipe for bbq sauce. Thank you!
I’m so glad you love it.. it’s our go-to as well, and it’s so easy! Sounds like you had a great dinner!