You just can’t beat a good homemade BBQ sauce and this one is the BEST! This BBQ sauce recipe is easy to make and both sweet and smoky. This sauce pairs well with wings, chicken, and ribs.
It’s grilling season and I’m making a ton of new BBQ and smoker recipes. With every good BBQ, you need the best BBQ sauce and this one is perfect for you this spring and summer. The combination of the sweet, tangy, and smoky tastes put this recipe ahead of the BBQ game. Super quick to make and contains simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar
- honey
- brown sugar
- smoked paprika
- chili powder
- garlic
- minced onion
- dried parsley
- strong brewed coffee
How to Make BBQ Sauce
- The first step to making BBQ sauce is to combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well.
- Next, bring the ingredients in the saucepan to a low boil until it starts bubbling. Once the sauce starts to get thick, remove from heat.
- Place in a container, cover, and store it in the refrigerator to chill.
And that’s it! I never knew how easy it was to make homemade BBQ sauce!
Unbelievably SIMPLE!
Why is this the Best Homemade BBQ Sauce?
There are 2 reasons why this is the best BBQ sauce. The key ingredients are the smoked paprika and strong brewed coffee. This is a sweet and slightly tangy BBQ sauce, but the smoked paprika really brings out the smoky flavor. The strong brewed fresh coffee brings out that bold taste that cuts some of the sweetness and pairs amazingly well with the smoked paprika.
How to Thicken Homemade BBQ Sauce
With as many times as I’ve made this recipe, I’ve never had an issue with getting this sauce to thicken up. The key is to let it get really hot at a consistent boil. You’ll constantly stir this sauce so that it doesn’t burn. If you like your sauce thicker, turn up the heat and boil it longer. It takes a total of about 5 minutes for me to get it to the consistency in the photos.
Can You Freeze Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Yes. Once the sauce has cooled, put it in a gallon ziplock baggie and lay flat in the freezer. This sauce lasts for about 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to use the sauce, place the baggie in a large bowl and let it thaw in the refrigerator. I’m a big fan of thawing things slowly. If you’re in a hurry, run cold water in a bowl and place the baggie in the water. It will take about 15 minutes to thaw out using this method.
Should I Use Store Bought or Homemade BBQ Sauce?
In a pinch when I don’t have a frozen batch in my freezer, I buy store bought. But I prefer to make my own for several reasons. For one, most packaged BBQ sauces contain high fructose corn syrup and we all know it’s not good for us. Plus, those store bought bottles contain a lot of preservatives to keep them from going bad. I prefer fresh ingredients and this sweet and smoky flavor just can’t be beat!
How Long Will Homemade BBQ Last?
I keep my BBQ sauce in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. After that I toss it if there is any left. Now that I think about it…there’s never been any left that long. It’s THAT good!
What Can I Put BBQ Sauce On?
- My BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings are AMAZING. I use this recipe to baste the wings while I’m grilling them.
- This sauce works extremely well in my BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe.
- Looking for a crockpot recipe that uses BBQ sauce? Check out this recipe for my St. Louis Style Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs. That one is a beef short ribs recipe and the BBQ sauce is the star of that recipe.
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How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 Tablespoon granulated onion
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee, (I used Starbuck's Pike's Peak but any Dark or French Roast will work)
Instructions
- Combine all BBQ Sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Stir until mixed well.
- Simmer together in a saucepan until it starts bubbling. Once the sauce starts to get thick, remove from heat and set aside.
- Store the sauce in a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.
Notes
- The key to thickening the sauce is to let it get really hot at a consistent boil. You're going to want to constantly stir this sauce so that it doesn't burn.
- If you like your sauce thicker, turn up the heat and boil it longer. It takes a total of about 5 minutes for me to get it to the consistency in the photos.
Amanda, I’ve been making pulled pork, smoked pork, and home-made barbecue sauce for years; know my way around the kitchen, grill, & smoker; and your recipes for both pulled pork and barbecue sauce are excellent. Better than mine. Thanks! Dave
Oh David! You are SO sweet to say that! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you are enjoying them! You just made my day!
Amanda, I’ve now read several of your recipes and have concluded that we should get married. I’m old, not good looking, and kinda grumpy; but as a retired surgeon have a nice house & lotsa money. Interested? ; )
ps.don’t be alarmed; just kidding…
Hi Dr! LOL! I love this! My husband said we are ok with it! LOL! J/K! I am SO pleased that you are so happy with the recipes!! Thank you for following me and there are more recipes to come!!