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 has both a sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with so many meats!
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. And, it's an easy BBQ sauce to make!
The combination of the sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors put this recipe ahead of the BBQ game. It's super quick to make and contains simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. And it tastes amazing when served with a slow smoked pork loin, slathered on this smoked pork tenderloin, or on these grilled chicken wings.
ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
1. The key ingredients are the smoked paprika and strong brewed coffee. This one is sweet and slightly tangy, 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.
2. This homemade BBQ sauce will last in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. And if I'm being honest, there's never been any left that long. It's THAT good!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
This is made with some amazingly tasty ingredients. I use ketchup as the base and add in apple cider vinegar so that it can work its way into the meat. It also helps cut the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar. Dried parsley is a great dried herb to use when making sauces.
I also incorporate some of my favorite seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, and minced onion. I use fresh garlic to add to the zesty flavor. And my secret ingredient when making this homemade barbecue sauce is adding in a bit of strong brewed coffee. A good French roast or Italian roast works really well.
📋 Step By Step Recipe Instructions
Making BBQ sauce has never been so easy! We'll start by combining all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well.
Next, bring the ingredients in the saucepan to a low boil over medium-high heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Once the sauce starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat.
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Allow the honey barbecue sauce to cool, about 20 minutes, and then place the it in a container with a lid. Store in the refrigerator to chill.
And y'all...that's it! This is the best BBQ sauce! And who would you have thought that making homemade BBQ sauce could be so easy?!
Unbelievably SIMPLE!
💭 Expert Tips and FAQs
- How To Thicken Homemade BBQ Sauce - as long as I've been making this recipe, I've never had an issue with getting this sauce to thicken up. The key is to let the sauce get really hot at a consistent boil. You need to consistently stir the sauce so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan or burn. If you like your sauce thicker, just turn up the heat a bit more 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 completely cooled, put it in a gallon size plastic baggie and lay it flat in the freezer. This sauce will last for about 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to use it, place the baggie in a large bowl and let it slowly thaw in the refrigerator. I'm a big fan of thawing things slowly. However; 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 using this method.
- Should I Use Store Bought or Homemade? - 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 versions contain a large amount of high fructose corn syrup which isn't the healthiest choice. Plus, store bought bottles contain a lot of preservatives to keep them from going bad. I prefer fresh ingredients and the sweet and smoky flavor in this one just can't be beat!
📖 BBQ Recipes
BBQ sauce for ribs is a MUST in my book and this recipe works really well with any cut of ribs. And, these St. Louis Style Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs are a beef short ribs recipe and let me tell you...this BBQ sauce recipe is the star of that recipe.
My BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings are AMAZING. I use this barbecue marinade to baste the wings while I'm grilling them. This sauce also works extremely well in my BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe.
How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ Tablespoon chili powder
- ½ Tablespoon garlic, minced
- ½ Tablespoon granulated onions
- ½ Tablespoon dried parsley
- ¼ cup strong brewed coffee, (I used Starbuck's French or Italian Roast)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir until mixed well.
- Heat the ingredients in a saucepan until it starts to boil. Once the sauce starts to get thick, about 3-5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to completely cool.
- Store the sauce in a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.
Notes
- How To Thicken Homemade BBQ Sauce - as long as I've been making this, I've never had an issue with getting this sauce to thicken up. The key is to let the sauce get really hot at a consistent boil. You need to consistently stir the sauce so that it doesn't stick to the bottom and burn. If you like your sauce thicker, just 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 It? Yes. Once the sauce has completely cooled, put it in a gallon size plastic baggie and lay it flat in the freezer. This sauce will last for about 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to use it, place the baggie in a large bowl and let it slowly 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 using this method.
- Should I Use Store Bought or Homemade? - 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 versions contain high fructose corn syrup which isn't the healthiest choice. Plus, store bought bottles contain a lot of preservatives to keep them from going bad. I prefer fresh ingredients and the sweet and smoky flavor in this one just can't be beat!
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Dr T
Made this sauce AGAIN last week and have a fresh batch cooking right now. This is the best BBQ sauce we've ever tasted; and is easy to make. It is easy to fine tune (a bit more garlic, a splash of heat, a touch more honey, etc) but as-written this sauce is addicting and has that 'depth of flavor' professional chefs always mention. It blows away every store-bought sauce (and unfortunately we have them all). We put it on smoked baby backs, smoked pork tenderloin, and grilled chicken; and it is awesome. Thanks Amanda; you're recipes really are great. BTW, your 2-2-1 @225 ribs are excellent; but if rushed for time, 1-1 @ 300 (flipping half way after one hour on the smoker) can be a life saver. lol. Again, thanks.
Amanda Mason
Hi Dr T! So good to hear from you again!! I'm so glad you love the BBQ sauce! It is a tried and true recipe and it is amazing on the ribs, for sure!! I can't wait to hear what other recipes of mine you try!
Junia
This barbecue sauce is the best.
We had it with beef brisket and with chicken and everybody loved it, and would consider some in our home as pretty picky barbecue sauce lovers. Thank you for sharing many delicious recipes
Amanda Mason
Thanks, Junia! That means a lot to me! So glad everyone loved it so much!! This is GREAT to hear and I'm glad you are enjoying my recipes!
JustCheryl
Yummy
I didn't have ground chili however I did my best to smash red pepper flakes. It gives it a bite but this is still delicious.
Amanda Mason
Good substitute and I'm glad it still tasted so good for you!!!
Russ
This sauce nails it. I used it and your rub recipe on baby back ribs, which I had never cooked before in my life, and the result was awesome. My wife now wants to know when we are having them again. Thanks for the recipe, it's a keeper.
Amanda Mason
Thank you so much, Russ!! I'm so glad you all loved it! I can't wait to hear what other recipes of mine you try! I'm glad your wife if wanting you to make more!!!
David Tomchik
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
Amanda Mason
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!
DrT
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...
Amanda Mason
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!!
DrT
We made this BBQ sauce recipe yesterday... and it was DELICIOUS!! Better than Kozmo's, Guy Fieri's, or any of the usual store-stuff. Guests raved about my smoked baby-backs slathered in this sauce. Black coffee - the perfect addition. Amanda, your recipes truly are the best; thank you! DrT
ps. I am now considered the best cook in the neighborhood 🙂 ; too bad all the neighbors now visit us at suppertime to see what's cookin' (& eat for free) 🙁
Amanda Mason
I am so happy to hear this, Dr. T! Glad the BBQ sauce was such a great hit!! And - I'm glad you are known to be the best cook in the neighborhood!! Keep smoking and grilling!!!