Description

This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is the perfect balance of tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet. With a vinegary kick, black pepper heat, and a hint of molasses, it’s the ideal sauce to elevate your favorite grilled or slow-cooked dishes.

Ingredients

2 cups ketchup

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup white vinegar

3 tablespoons molasses

1 & 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked, if possible

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

1/4 cup water (optional, for simmering)

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Instructions

Add all ingredients (ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, molasses, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, and liquid smoke if using) to a medium pot on the stove.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. If you’re in a hurry, skip the water, otherwise add 1/4 cup water for simmering.
If no water is added, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. If you added water, simmer for about 25 minutes (or up to an hour), stirring occasionally. Add more water in small amounts if the sauce gets too thick.
Continue simmering until the sauce thickens. After 30 minutes, it should have a nice thick consistency.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite grilled dishes.

Notes

Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat to make it a spicy BBQ sauce.

For a sweeter sauce, add more molasses or brown sugar.

For more tanginess, increase the vinegar in the sauce.

If you want a stronger smoky flavor, use more liquid smoke or smoked salt.

This BBQ sauce stores well in the fridge for up to several weeks.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 50
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg