This easy BBQ sauce is the perfect blend of savory, sour, and sweet with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices.
Making homemade condiments is super easy, and fun!
Not only do you get to control the salt and sugar content, but you also get to pick what flavors go into them so they’re made exactly how you enjoy them!
My easy BBQ sauce is a perfect medley of savory, sour, and sweet.
It has sweet yellow onion, spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, onion, garlic powder, tangy apple cider vinegar, savory tomato paste and ketchup, and deep brown sugar.
With just a few easy steps, you can whip up this sauce in no time, and have everyone at your next backyard cookout raving about your delicious and homemade BBQ sauce!
Ingredients for easy BBQ sauce
- Yellow onion – This will help add sweetness to the BBQ sauce.
- Ketchup – Ketchup is already the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar will add tanginess and sweetness to our BBQ sauce.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar will add a deep, sweet, molasses flavor to our sauce.
- Tomato paste – Tomato paste will add a rich umami flavor.
- Spices – I’ve chosen a blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder to add to the sauce.
- Kosher salt and black pepper – Salt and pepper are necessary to help properly season the BBQ sauce.
Make it your own!
Here are some of my favorite variations of this BBQ sauce:
For a spicy version of BBQ sauce, simply add 1-2 chipotle in adobo which can be found at most major grocery stores.
This will add a smoky and spicy kick!
For a sugar-free version of easy barbecue sauce, substitute regular ketchup with a sugar-free version, and brown sugar with your favorite sugar substitute.
What to serve barbecue sauce with?
Homemade barbecue sauce is delicious on so many things!
My favorite ways to use it are as the sauce on my delicious BBQ Hawaiian Pizza, or mixed in my BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
You could even use it as a delicious dip for my Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries, or my simple and delicious Sweet Potato Fries.
Storage and leftovers
Storing homemade BBQ sauce is a breeze!
Simply store it in a clean mason jar with a lid.
It can stay refrigerated for up to two weeks!
More sauce recipes
- Looking for something cool and creamy? Try my Tzatziki Sauce
- Need a classic? Try my French Onion Dip
- Craving something sweet? Try my Homemade Hot Fudge
- Want something savory? Try my Homemade Fry Sauce
Easy BBQ Sauce
This easy BBQ sauce is the perfect blend of savory, sour, and sweet with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepot add all the ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for about 30 minutes or until the sauce has reached the desired texture and thickness.
- Let cool and store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.
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