Description
This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce is a perfect sweet and tangy condiment made from simple pantry staples. Combining ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and warming spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder, this sauce simmers to a luscious thickness, ideal for enhancing pulled pork, ribs, grilled chicken, or burgers. Quick to prepare and versatile, it captures classic American BBQ flavors with a gluten-free profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Spices
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Combine wet ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Stir continuously until all ingredients are fully combined to create a uniform mixture.
- Add spices: Sprinkle in smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir the mixture well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Allow the sauce to cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavors.
- Cool the sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the BBQ sauce cool down to room temperature. This helps the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further.
- Store or serve: Use the sauce immediately on your favorite grilled dishes, or transfer it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week to preserve freshness.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or brown sugar according to your taste preference.
- For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the sauce after cooking until silky.
- This BBQ sauce makes an excellent base to complement pulled pork, ribs, grilled chicken, or burgers.
