Description
Bring the taste of Southern cookouts to your kitchen with this simple homemade BBQ sauce with ketchup. Sweet, tangy, smoky, and slightly spicy, this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe comes together in just 15 minutes and works perfectly on chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, or veggies. Made from wholesome pantry ingredients, it’s versatile, healthier than store-bought sauces, and full of flavor you can proudly call your own.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic ketchup sauce (made without corn syrup)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
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Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
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Add Spices: Stir in onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt.
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Simmer: Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly. (To make homemade BBQ sauce less sweet, reduce brown sugar or maple syrup. To make homemade BBQ sauce thicker, simmer for a few minutes longer.)
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Taste & Adjust: Customize seasoning to your liking. More cayenne for heat, extra vinegar for tang, or a touch of honey for sweetness.
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Serve or Store: Use immediately or let cool and transfer to an airtight jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
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This is a homemade BBQ sauce for chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, or vegetables.
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For a homemade BBQ sauce without ketchup, substitute tomato paste with a splash of water.
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Make a homemade honey BBQ sauce by adding 2–3 tbsp honey while simmering.
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Make a homemade Korean BBQ sauce by adding soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
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Create a homemade vinegar BBQ sauce by increasing apple cider vinegar and reducing sugar slightly.
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Turn it into a homemade spicy BBQ sauce by adding extra cayenne, smoked paprika, or hot sauce.
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Make a homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce by replacing brown sugar and maple syrup with monk fruit, stevia, or another natural sweetener.
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Perfect for quick homemade BBQ sauce cravings—you can make it from scratch in just 15 minutes!
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Always use a clean spoon when scooping from the jar to keep it fresh longer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Condiment / Sauce / BBQ Sauce
- Method: Stovetop / Simmer
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 TBSP
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 0,2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg