Homemade BBQ Sauce

If you don’t know by now, it’s fair to say I am a big BBQ enthusiast.

I love cooking outside over fire, and I get a real buzz from creating my own recipes, dry rubs and sauces. New recipes usually take me a long time to get right because I’m a bit of a perfectionist, which I definitely blame Shirley for.

I’ve been working on this homemade BBQ sauce recipe for ages. It has been through plenty of different versions and methods, but I think this one finally ticks all the boxes.

It is sweet, sticky and smoky, with just enough sharpness from the vinegar to cut through.

Anyway, no BBQ lover is worth their salt unless they have their own sauce recipe, so here is mine.

What Is Homemade BBQ Sauce?

Homemade BBQ sauce is a sweet, smoky and tangy sauce made from tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, spices and seasoning.

You can use it as a glaze, dipping sauce, marinade, burger sauce, rib sauce, pulled pork sauce, or as the finishing touch for BBQ meats.

The best thing about making BBQ sauce from scratch is that you can control the flavour. Make it sweeter, sharper, smokier, thicker or spicier depending on what you like.

Why Make BBQ Sauce from Scratch?

Making BBQ sauce from scratch lets you get the flavour exactly how you want it.

Shop-bought sauces are useful, but they can sometimes be too sweet, too thin, too smoky or just a bit flat. Homemade BBQ sauce gives you more control.

This version uses chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, dark muscovado sugar, malt vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic, onion and mustard powder.

Simple ingredients, big flavour.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 75g dark muscovado sugar
• 2 tbsp malt vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 splashes lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornflour, optional
• 1 tbsp water, optional

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

1. Add the olive oil to a large saucepan and warm over a medium heat.
2. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and mustard powder.
3. Cook the spices for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring so they do not catch.
4. Add the tomato purée and stir everything together.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, malt vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.
6. Stir well.
7. Add the dark muscovado sugar.
8. Bring the sauce up to the boil over a high heat, stirring regularly so it does not burn or stick to the pan.
9. Once the sauce starts to thicken, reduce the heat to a simmer.
10. Add the lemon juice.
11. Use a handheld blender to blend the sauce until smooth.
12. If you want the sauce thicker, mix the cornflour with water to make a paste.
13. Add the cornflour paste to the sauce and stir well.
14. Cook for another 2 minutes over a medium heat until thickened.

How Do You Make BBQ Sauce Thicker?

If your homemade BBQ sauce is too thin, you can thicken it in two ways.

The first way is to simmer it for longer. This reduces the liquid and gives you a thicker, richer sauce.

The second way is to use cornflour. Mix 1 tbsp of cornflour with 1 tbsp of cold water to make a paste, then stir it into the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes until thickened.

Do not add dry cornflour straight into the sauce, or it may clump.

How Do You Make BBQ Sauce Smokier?

Smoked paprika gives this BBQ sauce a gentle smoky flavour.

If you want it extra smoky, you can stir in a small amount of liquid smoke near the end of cooking. Start with around 1/2 tsp, then taste before adding more.

Liquid smoke can become overpowering quickly, so go steady.

How Do You Make BBQ Sauce Sweeter?

If you like a sweeter BBQ sauce, add a little more dark muscovado sugar.

You could also add honey, maple syrup or brown sugar, depending on the flavour you want.

Just remember that sweeter sauces can burn more easily when used as a glaze, especially over high heat.

How Do You Make BBQ Sauce Spicier?

To make spicy BBQ sauce, add chilli powder, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, smoked chilli flakes or fresh chilli.

Start small, then taste and adjust. You can always add more heat, but once it is too hot, there is no easy way back.

What Can You Use Homemade BBQ Sauce For?

Homemade BBQ sauce is useful for all sorts of dishes.

Use it with:

• ribs
• pulled pork
• burgers
• chicken wings
• pork belly
• sausages
• BBQ chicken
• meatballs
• chips or wedges
• sandwiches and wraps

It works especially well with our oven baked baby back ribs, slow cooker pulled pork, and oven cooked pork burnt ends.

Can You Use BBQ Sauce as a Glaze?

Yes, homemade BBQ sauce makes a brilliant glaze.

Brush it onto ribs, pork belly, chicken, sausages or burgers near the end of cooking so it has time to bubble, thicken and caramelise.

Do not add it too early over high heat, because the sugar in the sauce can burn before the meat is cooked.

Can You Make BBQ Sauce Ahead of Time?

Yes, homemade BBQ sauce is great for making ahead.

Make it, cool it, store it in a clean container and keep it in the fridge until needed.

The flavour often improves after a little time in the fridge because the ingredients have chance to settle together.

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Last?

Homemade BBQ sauce should be cooled, covered and stored in the fridge.

Use it within a few days and always check it before serving. If it smells odd, looks mouldy, has split badly or you are unsure how long it has been stored, do not risk it.

Can You Freeze Homemade BBQ Sauce?

Yes, you can freeze homemade BBQ sauce.

Cool it fully, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, label it, and freeze. Small portions are useful because you can defrost only what you need for ribs, pulled pork, burgers or BBQ food.

What to Serve with Homemade BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ sauce is made for BBQ-style food.

Serve it with ribs, pulled pork, burgers, chicken wings, sausages, steak, pork belly, chips, wedges, corn on the cob, coleslaw, onion rings or loaded fries.

Browse our BBQ essentials collection or full pork range for more ideas.

Tips for Better Homemade BBQ Sauce

• Cook the spices gently first to wake up the flavour.
• Use dark muscovado sugar for a deeper sweetness.
• Keep stirring when boiling so the sauce does not catch.
• Blend until smooth for a proper sauce texture.
• Simmer longer if you want a thicker sauce.
• Add liquid smoke carefully if using it.
• Brush onto meat near the end of cooking so it caramelises without burning.

Final Thoughts

Homemade BBQ sauce is well worth making.

This version is sweet, sticky, smoky and tangy, with tomatoes, dark muscovado sugar, malt vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika and garlic.

Use it as a dipping sauce, glaze, marinade or finishing sauce for ribs, pulled pork, pork belly, burgers, chicken wings and proper BBQ food.

Once you have your own BBQ sauce recipe, you will find excuses to put it on everything.

FAQs

How do you make homemade BBQ sauce?

Cook onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and mustard powder in oil, then add tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and lemon juice. Simmer, blend and thicken if needed.

What is homemade BBQ sauce made of?

Homemade BBQ sauce is usually made with tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, spices and seasoning. This recipe uses chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, muscovado sugar, malt vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce?

You can thicken BBQ sauce by simmering it for longer, or by adding a cornflour paste made with cornflour and cold water.

Can you make BBQ sauce without ketchup?

Yes, this homemade BBQ sauce is made without ketchup. It uses chopped tomatoes and tomato purée instead.

How do you make BBQ sauce smoky?

Use smoked paprika for a gentle smoky flavour, or add a small amount of liquid smoke near the end of cooking for a stronger smoky taste.

Can you use homemade BBQ sauce as a marinade?

Yes, but it is usually best used as a finishing glaze or sauce near the end of cooking because the sugar can burn over high heat.

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Keep homemade BBQ sauce covered in the fridge and use within a few days. Freeze it if you want to store it for longer.