Best Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
This flavorful Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is 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.
Servings: 12 servings (3 cups)
Calories: 108kcal
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.
Notes
Yield: Approximately 3 cups, or 12 servings (¼ cup each).
Ingredient Substitutions:
- 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
Nutrition
Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 451mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
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