The Best Barbecue Sauce Period

Bold, smoky, and irresistibly tangy, "The Best Barbecue Sauce Period" is the ultimate homemade recipe for elevating your grilling game. This quick and versatile sauce comes together in just 25 minutes, blending classic pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar with bold seasonings like smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce. For an extra kick, optional liquid smoke and cayenne pepper add depth and heat that rivals any store-bought sauce. Perfect as a marinade, glaze, or condiment, this richly flavored barbecue sauce is your go-to for ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and more. With its balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, it’s guaranteed to impress at every cookout or weeknight dinner. Make a batch today and savor the difference homemade barbecue sauce brings!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups Ketchup
• 0.5 cups Brown sugar
• 0.25 cups Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Molasses
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Liquid smoke (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
• 0.25 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and molasses. Stir well to combine all the ingredients into a smooth base.

Step 2

Add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 3

If using, add liquid smoke and cayenne pepper for an optional smoky and spicy kick. Stir again to incorporate.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or cayenne for heat, as desired.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer to a sealed container or jar for storage.

Step 8

Store the barbecue sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Use it as a marinade, glaze, or condiment for your favorite grilled or smoked dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(715.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	920.9

Total Fat 3.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3378.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 228.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.0g	0%
Total Sugars 188.6g
Protein 1.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 215.5mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 1169.9mg	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: 3.6%

Protein: 0.7%

Carbs: 95.7%