Homemade Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Elevate your grilling game with this irresistible Homemade Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce! Crafted with a perfect balance of sweetness from brown sugar, honey, and molasses, and a fiery kick from smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, this sauce brings bold flavor to every bite. The tangy apple cider vinegar and savory Worcestershire sauce add depth, while Dijon mustard rounds out the complexity. Its quick 5-minute prep and low 20-minute simmer make it an easy, customizable staple for summer cookouts or weeknight meals. Use it as a marinade, basting sauce, or dip, and savor the homemade difference in your next barbecue creation.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.33 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.33 cup water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, honey, and molasses over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar begins to dissolve.

Step 2

Add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Mix well to incorporate the spices.

Step 3

Pour in the water to slightly thin the sauce and stir until fully blended.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. For additional sweetness, add a small amount of brown sugar or honey; for more heat, increase the cayenne pepper slightly.

Step 6

When the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 7

Transfer the sauce into a clean, airtight jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Step 8

Use as a basting sauce for grilling, a dip, or a flavorful addition to your favorite barbecue recipes!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(550.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	691.3

Total Fat 3.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2124.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 168.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.5g	0%
Total Sugars 141.9g
Protein 1.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 153.6mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 846.0mg	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: 4.8%

Protein: 0.9%

Carbs: 94.3%