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)
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