Elder Lehman's Awesome Barbecue Sauce

Elevate your grilling game with Elder Lehman’s Awesome Barbecue Sauce, a boldly flavorful homemade blend that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Bursting with the tangy kick of apple cider vinegar, the sweetness of brown sugar and honey, and a hint of smoky depth from optional liquid smoke, this sauce perfectly balances savory, spicy, and sweet notes. Infused with Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne, it’s slow-simmered to a thick, spoonable consistency that clings irresistibly to meats, veggies, or even fries. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy barbecue sauce recipe makes enough to elevate multiple meals and keeps beautifully in the fridge. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or meal-prepping for the week, this homemade BBQ sauce is sure to become your go-to for bold, mouthwatering flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups Ketchup
• 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup, packed Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke (optional)
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and honey. Stir well to combine.

Step 2

Add the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the saucepan. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the spices.

Step 3

If using liquid smoke for an extra smoky flavor, add it now and mix well.

Step 4

Pour in the water and whisk the mixture to a smooth consistency.

Step 5

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking or burning.

Step 6

Once the sauce begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed (e.g., add more honey for sweetness or cayenne for heat).

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly.

Step 9

Transfer the barbecue sauce to a clean jar or airtight container. Once cooled completely, store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Step 10

Use the barbecue sauce as a marinade, basting glaze, or dipping sauce for your favorite meats, veggies, or even fries!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1098.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1266.6

Total Fat 5.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2987.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 306.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.4g	0%
Total Sugars 264.5g
Protein 2.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 215.9mg	0%
Iron 5.5mg	0%
Potassium 873.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.9%

Protein: 0.7%

Carbs: 95.4%