Learn how to make Homemade BBQ Sauce from scratch and the world is your oyster! This easy recipe is ready in 15 minutes and perfect for sandwiches or ribs or just licking off the spoon. (Yes, it’s that good.)
Email Me the Recipe!
From time to time, we'll send you Well Plated emails. You can unsubscribe anytime. Have an account? Log In.
The sauce you need for ALL the things.
Thick and rich with smoky-sweet undertones from molasses, this versatile, finger-licking-good homemade BBQ sauce recipe is perfect for chicken, Crockpot Ribs, a Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and brisket.
- Head to the grocery store or scan recipes for homemade BBQ sauce online; you’ll see ketchup and high-fructose corn syrup everywhere you look. My recipe is made without corn syrup. You don’t need it!
- Not only is making your own barbecue sauce from scratch infinitely more delicious than anything you’ll find at the store, but it is also EASY. It’s ready in 15 minutes!
5 Star Review
“This is the best recipe ever for BBQ sauce. I made this recipe this afternoon and it is so good I can eat it with a spoon.”
— Beverly —
My Tips for Perfect Homemade BBQ Sauce
This recipe is easy, but here are a few additional tips to help you make sure your sauce is boss.
- Use Real Maple Syrup. Not pancake or breakfast syrup! You want real maple syrup, and preferably one that’s dark in color, which means it has a more assertive maple flavor.
- Don’t Forget to Cover the Pan. Homemade BBQ sauce can make a mess of your stovetop if it’s simmering too vigorously and those tomato stains are a pain to clean up.
- Adjust to Your Liking. The beauty of making your own barbecue sauce is making it your own! Taste it and add a little of this and a little of that until it’s just the way you like it.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy BBQ Sauce. The recipe, as written, is more spicy-sweet than truly spicy, so if you prefer a homemade BBQ sauce with a serious kick, I’ve included the option to add some cayenne or even a tablespoon of hot sauce.
- Honey BBQ Sauce. Simply swap the maple syrup for the same amount of honey. (This version I especially like on Grilled Salmon in Foil.)
- Bourbon BBQ Sauce. If you love my Bourbon Chicken, try this variation. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey with the tomato sauce (the more you add, the stronger the taste will be). Cook as directed, extending the simmer time for a bit if the bourbon flavor is too strong.
- Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce. You also can use a Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels (follow the above directions for bourbon BBQ sauce) for your own version of this popular store brand.
Serving Ideas
The beauty of this easy sauce is that it can be used in any recipe that calls for premade barbecue sauce, or you can use it to spice up your favorite protein.
- Ribs. You can use this homemade BBQ sauce for these Crockpot Ribs, Instant Pot Ribs, and Beef Back Ribs.
- Salad. I love using this sauce to make my favorite BBQ Chicken Salad.
- Chicken. This is a delicious BBQ sauce recipe for chicken recipes like these Maple Bourbon Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Or this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken (just add the sauce, plus chicken breasts or thighs to your slow cooker, and dinner cooks itself!). It would also be a yummy base for BBQ Chicken Pizza.
- Meatballs. Brush it over these Baked Turkey Meatballs for a different flavor spin.
- Salmon. Try brushing it over a side of salmon and then cooking the salmon according to the directions for this Baked Salmon in Foil.
- Burgers. Use this tangy sauce to make a cowboy-style burger slathered in homemade BBQ sauce, melty cheddar cheese, and fried onions.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
email me the recipe!
From time to time, we’ll send you Well Plated emails. You can unsubscribe anytime. Have an account? Log In.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (1 standard can)
- 6 ounces tomato paste (1 standard can)
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional but encouraged)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, stir together all of the ingredients: tomato sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, molasses, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, dry mustard, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cover with a lid slightly ajar so that the pot is mostly covered to deter splattering, but steam can still escape and the sauce can reduce. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Enjoy immediately or let cool and store for later use.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Homemade barbecue sauce may be stored in an airtight container (I like to use a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- TO FREEZE: Store barbecue sauce in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before use.
Nutrition
Join today and start saving your favorite recipes
Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.
Sign Me Up
Hi there.
Worcestershire sauce isn’t vegan…. but you can buy a vegan version
You sure can, David!
I just want to say to folks in the comments, as a long-time Veg, there are definitely options out there for Worcestershire, especially these days. I understand the label of “vegan” is present but give them a break, y’all. Doing these recipes, sharing them with the world, and having a business, is hard. It’s up to us to do our own homework, too, as consumers. Can’t wait to make this with my (already vegan) Worcestershire tomorrow. Thank you for sharing your heart here, Erin.
Thank you VJ!
I used an 8 oz can of mexican hot tomato sauce and an 8 oz can of regular sauce. An 6 oz can of tomato paste. Extra molasses and maple syrup with a touch of light brown sugar. Powdered onion, garlic, smoked paprika, mustard, no salt or pepper. I used the worcestershire but I don’t think it made a difference. The hot sauce with the extra molasses made this a very bold and tangy sauce. I used about two tablespoons of cornstarch as a thickener and have some now that rivals those expensive name brands.
Glad it worked out for you!
I’m not a great cook, but I needed some BBQ sauce and didn’t have a bottle of it on hand. I found your recipe and decided to make this right away and since I had all the ingredients in my pantry. I didn’t know it was this easy to make bbq sauce from scratch. I will never purchase bottled or jarred BBQ sauce again! Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Makes me so happy to hear, thank you Martha!
I always know the recipe is going to be great when I see your name next to it. Everyone stop looking for BBQ recipes, I just made this and WOW it’s so good. I am smoking ribs this weekend and I am sure this is going to top them.
So kind of you, Mikaela! Thank you!
This recipe is SO good I can’t even believe it. So easy to make and really does taste like authentic BBQ sauce!
Yay! Thank you Nicole!
Very yummy! I ran out of BBQ sauce for my pulled pork. I don’t like processed foods anyway, so this recipe begins my journey toward homemade condiments instead of buying them.
So happy to hear, thank you Vicky!
Today is the third time I’ve made this recipe. My husband and I both LOVE it. The first time I made it exactly like the recipe called for. The last two times I used honey instead of maple syrup and we prefer it. There’s not alot of difference in the taste but when I bought BBQ sauce I always bought the BBQ with honey kind. This recipe is better than ANY store bought kind we’ve tried . . . and we’ve tried them all.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Donna! Thank you!
Just made this for a pot luck to go with instant pot shredded chicken (dark and white mix). Made it with a 28oz can of crushed tomatoes for a big batch and due to others food allergies and used some green onion instead of garlic. Ended up improvising from recipe spice quantities (including cayenne and bourbon). I would describe it as bold, excited to serve this. Will report back.
Hope you enjoyed it, Cindy!
I can’t eat garlic, so I’ve been trying to find a homemade barbecue sauce recipe that didn’t use ketchup because even that has garlic in it. I substituted 3/4 tsp garlic scape powder (I can eat that) plus 1/4 tsp onion powder for the garlic in your recipe. This is a keeper! I can have BBQ again!! Thank you!!🙏
So glad you found the one! Thank you LesnKC!
I found this recipe two years ago. It yields a fantastic bbq sauce. I’ve used it twice…now I’m making it again (my fave is 2x). Stlll want to make bourbon or Jack Daniels sauces. Great recipe Erin!
Makes me so happy to hear, Tom! Thank you!
Needed bbq sauce for some bbq chicken pizza. Made it exactly as written. Delicious!!
So glad to hear, Heather! Thank you!