This flavorful Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is thick, sweet, and tangy with savory undertones. It’s quick and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and an absolute must-have for summer grilling.
About this Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
This homemade Kansas City-Style BBQ sauce is so much tastier than anything you’ll find in a bottle. Made with a flavorful blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, it’s one of my favorite ways to transform simple pantry staples into a must-have condiment. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make—just simmer everything together. So, slather it on ribs, brush it over grilled or baked BBQ chicken, or use it as a dip. This homemade BBQ sauce is guaranteed to elevate all of your favorite recipes!
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups.
- Cook Time: This easy BBQ sauce requires about 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of hands-on cook time.
- Difficulty: The easiest!
- Freezer-Friendly: Yes. Up to 3 months.
Table of Contents
What is Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce?
Kansas City-style BBQ sauce is considered one of the most popular types of BBQ sauce in the U.S. It’s thick, sweet, and tangy—what most people think of when they imagine classic BBQ sauce—and its flavor is well-balanced. It works on ribs, chicken, pulled pork, burgers, and even as a dipping sauce. The ketchup base makes it great for basting because it clings to the meat when grilled.
How to Make BBQ Sauce
Here’s how to make the best Kansas City-style BBQ sauce from the comfort of your kitchen:
- Cook the onion and minced garlic in a medium saucepan until softened.
- Stir in the spices and cook briefly, then add the ketchup, apple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and honey.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Adjust the seasoning if needed, and use it immediately or let it cool before storing.
Please refer to the recipe card at the end of this page for more detailed instructions and a list of measured ingredients.
Variation
For a spicy BBQ sauce, add cayenne pepper (start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste), crushed red pepper flakes, or hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Louisiana Hot Sauce). For best results, start small and taste as you go. For smoky heat, add 1-2 tablespoons of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chiles.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Below are notes and possible substitutions for the ingredients in this easy BBQ Sauce Recipe. You can find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Aromatics (olive oil, onion, and garlic): Suitable substitutions include butter or vegetable oil for the olive oil; 1 teaspoon onion powder (for a smoother sauce) or shallots for the onion; and 1 teaspoon garlic powder or roasted garlic (for a milder taste) instead of fresh garlic.
Seasoning & Spices (smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, and chili powder): Smoked paprika adds smokiness and mild heat, mimicking the classic BBQ-grilled flavor. Substitute with regular paprika (less smoky), chipotle powder (spicier), or a few drops of liquid smoke. Garlic powder reinforces the garlic flavor without extra moisture. Substitute with additional fresh garlic or onion powder. Ground mustard adds tangy sharpness that balances the sweetness. Substitute with 1 teaspoon of Dijon or yellow mustard, a pinch of turmeric, or a splash of vinegar. Lastly, chili powder adds warmth without overpowering heat. Substitute with cayenne (spicier), chipotle powder (smokier), or smoked paprika (milder).
Sweet Ingredients (apple juice, brown sugar, and honey): Apple juice adds a sweet, fruity flavor to balance the sauce’s acidity. Substitute with pineapple juice (tangier), orange juice, or water + 1 teaspoon sugar. Brown sugar adds caramel-like richness (and sweetness, of course). Substitute with white sugar + 1 teaspoon of molasses, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Honey adds natural sweetness and helps create a sticky glaze. Substitute with maple syrup, agave nectar, or extra brown sugar.
Ketchup: Ketchup forms the base of the sauce, adding thickness, sweetness, and acidity. Any brand of regular ketchup will work.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds key umami flavor and a subtle tangy-savory kick. Possible substitutions include soy sauce + a dash of vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar: The acidity giver! It is key in balancing the sweetness and enhancing the tangy BBQ flavor. Alternatives include white vinegar (sharper), lemon juice (brighter), or balsamic vinegar (sweeter).
Pro Tips
- Use a cheese grater to grate the onion into tiny shreds. If the sauce is too chunky after simmering, run it through a blender or food processor for a smoother sauce.
- To thicken this BBQ sauce, simmer it over low heat for 5-10 minutes or until it reaches your desired thickness. If the sauce is too thick, try stirring in a little water or chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- If your sauce is too sweet, add acid (apple cider vinegar), a little heat (cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or black pepper), or a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
- If the sauce is too tangy, add sweetness (honey, brown sugar, or molasses), richness (ketchup or butter), or cook it longer as simmering can help reduce some of the acidity over time.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute the honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or extra brown sugar and use a store-bought vegan Worcestershire sauce.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, verify that your Worcestershire sauce and ketchup are certified gluten-free.
Using Homemade BBQ Sauce
This homemade BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile! Here are some of my favorite uses and pairings:
- Brush it onto ribs during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling or smoking, or use it as a glaze for grilled or baked chicken thighs, wings, or drumsticks. Ground beef and turkey burgers love a good slather at the end of grilling or mix some of the sauce directly into the meat for extra flavor.
- Use it for all your dipping and dunking needs. It’s the perfect dip for crispy chicken tenders, French fries, fried chicken, or onion rings.
- Cook your favorite Crockpot pulled pork and pile it onto a golden toasted bun with creamy coleslaw. You could mix some precooked shredded chicken in the sauce and use it to make wraps, warm chicken sandwiches, or BBQ chicken pizzas.
Storage Tips
- Storage: Allow the sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight jar, squeeze bottle, or plastic container with a tight lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake or stir before using.
- Freezing: For best results, use a freezer-safe container and leave space for expansion. Store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and stir well before using.
- Canning: When canned properly, BBQ sauce can last for up to 6 months. Water bath canning is recommended, and check for signs of spoilage before use.
Looking for more flavorful homemade sauce recipes? Try this easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe (delicious on grilled steak!), this Homemade Buffalo Sauce (try it in my Buffalo Chicken Dip), or this creamy Tartar Sauce Recipe (perfect for fish!)
Have any questions? Drop me a message in the comment section below! I’m happy to help. And, if you enjoy this recipe, please rate it with some STAR LOVIN’ so other readers know to try it too! Tag me at #theforkedspoon. I’ll be sure to share! Thank you!
RECIPE CARD
Best Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion - grated or shredded (a cheese grater works great here!)
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups ketchup
- ⅓ cup apple juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2-4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Sauté: Heat the oil in a saucepan set over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Note: Reduce the heat if necessary to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Season: Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, and chili powder. Cook for 30-60 seconds.
- Simmer: Add the ketchup, apple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until thickened.
- Serve or Store: Remove from heat and adjust seasonings to taste if needed. Use immediately or cool completely before storing.
Jessica’s Notes
- Olive oil: Butter or olive oil.
- Onion: 1 teaspoon onion powder (for a smoother sauce).
- Garlic: 1 teaspoon garlic powder or roasted garlic (for a milder taste).
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika (less smoky), chipotle powder (spicier), or a few drops of liquid smoke.
- Garlic powder: Additional fresh garlic or onion powder.
- Ground mustard: Substitute with 1 teaspoon of Dijon or yellow mustard, a pinch of turmeric, or a splash of vinegar.
- Chili powder: Substitute with cayenne (spicier), chipotle powder (smokier), or smoked paprika (milder).
- Apple juice: Pineapple juice (tangier), orange juice, or water + 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Brown sugar: White sugar + 1 teaspoon of molasses, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.
- Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or extra brown sugar.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Possible substitutions include soy sauce + a dash of vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Substitute with white vinegar (sharper), lemon juice (brighter), or balsamic vinegar (sweeter).
- For spicy heat: Add cayenne pepper (start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste), crushed red pepper flakes, or hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Louisiana Hot Sauce). For best results, start small and taste as you go.
- For smoky heat: Add 1-2 tablespoons of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chiles.
- Vegan alternative: Substitute the honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or extra brown sugar and use a store-bought vegan Worcestershire sauce.
- If your sauce is too sweet, add acid (apple cider vinegar), a little heat (cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or black pepper), or a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
- If the sauce is too tangy, add sweetness (honey, brown sugar, or molasses), richness (ketchup or butter), or cook it longer, as simmering can help reduce some of the acidity over time.
- To thicken, simmer it over low heat for 5-10 minutes or until it reaches your desired thickness.
- To thin the sauce, try stirring in a little water or chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Refrigerator: 2 weeks
- Freezer: 3 months
- Water bath canning: 6 months
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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