• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Few Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Tips
  • Printables
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Tips
  • Printables
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Crafts
    • Tips
    • Printables
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    You are here Home » Recipes

    The Best Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Published: Jul 4, 2020 · Modified: Oct 7, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. · 7 Comments

    3.7K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Kick your bbq up a notch with The Best Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe. Simple to make and the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and everything nice.

    BBQ Sauce in mason jar

    We love to grill! I say "we", but my hubby is the grill master around here. I am in charge of spices, sauces, sides, etc. Anytime we are grilling up something that needs sauce we whip up a batch of the BEST Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe.

    This recipe takes just a couple minutes to stir together and is great right out of the gate. If you want it even better take a few minutes to put your sauce in a saucepan and let all of the flavors really marry together. INCREDIBLE!

    Jump to:
    • How to make Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce
    • Gluten Free
    • Storage
    • Big Batches
    • Try it on These Recipes
    • Ways to Use BBQ Sauce
    • Recipe
    • More Spice & Mix Recipes
    • Comments

    How to make Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

    The Best Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce in saucepan with wooden spoon

    This bbq sauce is so easy to make! Right in your saucepan mix together all of the ingredients. This sauce is made with a ketchup base which makes it simple to toss together.

    You can enjoy your sauce immediately after mixing it together if you are in a hurry. I highly recommend turning your burner on low and letting this sauce simmer for about 20 minutes. It really marries the flavors and brings them together.

    Gluten Free BBQ Sauce in saucepan

    Use as you would as a dip, topping or in any recipe.

    Gluten Free

    This recipe makes an amazing Gluten Free BBQ Sauce. Like with any gluten free recipe you want to make sure all of your ingredients are gluten free. Hidden sources of gluten could be your ketchup or worchesterhire sauce.

    Storage

    Sweet BBQ Sauce in jar on cutting board

    Storing your fresh made BBQ Sauce is simple! I like to keep mine in a mason jar in the fridge. You can also purchase plastic squirt bottles from your local home goods store.

    You can keep this in the fridge for up to 1 week, possibly a little longer. Since it is homemade and does not have all the preservatives of store bought sauce it does not last as long.

    It’s best if you only make as much sauce as you will use at once. Since it is so easy to make this isn't any issue for any meal.

    Big Batches

    Need a big batch of bbq sauce? You can very easily double or triple this recipe with out any issues. This Simple BBQ Sauce turns out perfect in big batches.

    Try it on These Recipes

    Now that you have made the most delicious, easy bbq sauce, it is time to put it to use! Try it on these great recipes.

    • BBQ Cauliflower Bites
    • Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wings

    Ways to Use BBQ Sauce

    Now that you have a delicious sauce, here are some great ways to use it! Our favorites are:

    • Traditional BBQ meat: Grilled chicken, ribs, pulled pork, etc.
    • Baked beans: BBQ Sauce adds great flavor to homemade baked beans!
    • Pizzas: Don't knock it till you try it. Use BBQ in place of sauce. Great for BBQ Chicken Pizza.
    • Dipping sauce: BBQ is a great dipping sauce for chicken nuggets, roasted veggies, and Crockpot BBQ & Grape Jelly meatballs, plus so much more!

    Recipe

    Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

    Amanda Carlisle
    Kick your bbq up a notch with The Best Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe. Simple to make and the perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and spices.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine American, Bbq
    Servings 32 â…› cup servings
    Calories 57 kcal

    Equipment

    • sauce pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups ketchup
    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon molasses
    • 1 ½ tablespoon dry mustard
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • ½ tablespoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ tablespoon black pepper
    • 2 dashes hot sauce

    Instructions
     

    • In a sauce pan combine all of the ingredients until well blended.
    • Cook over low heat to marry all of the flavors together. About 20 -30 minutes. This step can be optional, but it does help to develop the sauce.
    • Give your sauce a taste. You may choose to add a little more vinegar or seasonings depending on your personal taste.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword condiments
    Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was! We love comments!

    More Spice & Mix Recipes

    • Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce Recipe
    • Peach Salsa Recipe - Ready in 10 Minutes
    • Copycat Outback Bloomin Onion Sauce Recipe
    • Sweet Pickle Relish Recipe & Simple Canning Directions
    See All Recipes
    « BLT Bites with Tangy Mayo Dip Recipe
    Straw Weaving Bracelets - Fun Kids Craft »
    3.7K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda Carlisle

      July 04, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce really is the perfect balance of sweet and spice. I love how it is customizable to your own taste too!

      Reply
    2. Grace

      July 04, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best barbecue sauce that I have ever had! It is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet! 10/10

      Reply
    3. Linda

      February 06, 2021 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Love this BBQ sauce “delicious “

      Reply
    4. patience noles

      May 20, 2021 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      this turned out A LOT better than what i was expecting. i expected it to be great but this is just amazing. it should be illegal for something to taste so good!! if you like sweet bbq sauce, this is definitely the right choice. if you like bbq sauce that doesnt look watered down with something; a beautiful sauce robust in color? you have come to the right place. i hope you enjoy this as much as i have!
      TIP: the one ingredient i didnt already have in my kitchen was molasses so i decided to substitute it with a nice Japanese stirfry sauce. it complimented the taste marvelously.

      Reply
    5. Julie

      December 07, 2021 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      The best BBQ sauce, I have been hunting for years for a recipe like my Mom's. This is it. I followed the recipe exactly.
      Thank you so much!

      Reply
    6. Annie

      March 09, 2022 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      This
      S is the best sauce ever for pulled pork 😋

      Reply
    7. Vickie

      May 07, 2022 at 8:00 am

      5 stars
      Love this bbq sauce my family loves it how long can I store it in the fridge?

      Reply

    Questions? Comments? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Amanda Carlisle, Owner

    Hey!

    I am Amanda. Mom to 3 wonderful kids & lots of furbabies. Plus wife to my hubby, David, for 20 years (gosh that makes me sound old). In our house we love to get outside, have family fun, and enjoy all Florida has to offer (Hey, Universal!) We do all of that with a few shortcuts.

    Learn more about me →

    Trending

    • Simple Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs Recipe
    • Cream of Chicken Soup Substitute
    • Fried Pickles & Tangy Dipping Sauce Recipe - Gluten Free
    • Homemade Italian Dressing Mix Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | RECIPE INDEX | ADVERTISE

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 A FEW SHORTCUTS ON THE FOODIE PRO THEME
    DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY - TERMS OF SERVICE