Poor Mans Barbecue Sauce

Whip up a batch of bold, budget-friendly flavor with this "Poor Man's Barbecue Sauce" recipe—perfect for grilling, dipping, or drizzling! Made with pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard, this quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce combines tangy, sweet, and smoky notes with just the right amount of spice. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a thick, velvety sauce enhanced by garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a splash of soy sauce for a unique umami twist. Whether you’re basting ribs, brushing it on chicken, or serving alongside crispy fries, this customizable sauce is a game changer. Store leftovers for up to a week and elevate any meal with this simple, satisfying recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, and yellow mustard over low heat.

Step 2

Stir the mixture until the brown sugar has dissolved and everything is well incorporated.

Step 3

Add the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and water to the saucepan.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Allow the sauce to simmer for 8-10 minutes, reducing slightly and thickening to your desired consistency.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or spices for heat.

Step 7

Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Step 8

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(393.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	335.2

Total Fat 1.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1811.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.1g	0%
Total Sugars 60.9g
Protein 3.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 64.4mg	0%
Iron 2.0mg	0%
Potassium 292.4mg	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: 2.5%

Protein: 3.6%

Carbs: 93.9%