I’ve probably mentioned this 4,000 times by now, but I am in love with barbeque sauce. Yes. In love. Barbeque sauce for me is like Nutella to every sane person in the world. I will “joke” about how I could eat it as soup and aspire to one day actually make a barbeque sauce soup – if this is already a thing I’ve somehow never heard of, PLEASE TELL ME NOW kindly leave a link in the comments.
Despite my love for tangy, smokey sauces, I had never actually made one on my own before, aside from “emergency sauces”. Oh. Other people don’t need to cobble together a BBQ sauce for emergency situations? That’s weird.
Last week I decided I couldn’t stand it any longer – I just had to make a sauce to call my own. And guys? It’s delicious. I stood over the stove eating spoonfuls of barbeque sauce, making slight tweaks, and eating another spoonful until it was perfect. I know everyone’s perfect sauce isn’t going to be exactly the same, so I encourage you to taste and tweak the seasonings as necessary.
1 ½ c ketchup (preferably without high fructose corn syrup)
¼ c honey or agave nectar
½ c brown sugar
¼ c molasses
¼ c apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp white vinegar (or additional apple cider vinegar)
2 ½ tsp ground mustard powder
2 tsp paprika
¾ tsp garlic
1 ½ – 2 tsp fresh ground pepper
¾ tsp onion powder
3 tbsp soy sauce (can use GF or Soy free alternative)
4 tsp liquid smoke
Instructions
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat combine paste, ketchup, honey/agave, sugar, molasses and vinegar. Heat until sugar is dissolved.
Add remaining ingredients, adjusting spices to taste if necessary.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your preference (it took about 30 minutes to cook mine down to 3 c)
Notes
Adjust as necessary to achieve your perfect BBQ sauce. The soy sauce provided all of the salt I wanted, but additional salt may be necessary based on your BBQ sauce preferences. Add a shake or two of cayenne pepper if you like your sauce spicier. This can keep for months in an airtight container in the fridge (I like to use a mason jar). Makes 3C, Serving Size: 2 Tbsp.
[…] for years, I’ve been dreaming about making my own. Okay, BBQ pizza came first, because barbeque sauce = love. Because Josh was crying for those little green spheres, I knew they had to go on my […]
I am so intrigued by this. I love being able to make things like this from scratch, because then a recipe really becomes your own. . . . Like bbq meatballs, pulled pork, etc – instead of you and KC Masterpiece. . . . 🙂
Nope – I’ve never heard of BBQ sauce soup – make it!!!! And thanks for the great recipe! This looks delicious and I love that it doesn’t have some of the yucky stuff that you find in store-bought versions. (I was so disappointed years ago to realize my new-fave BBQ sauce had high fructose corn syrup as one of its major ingredients.) So, after you make that soup, are you tackling BBQ sauce layer cake?!?! 😀
I’m right there with you on the barbecue sauce front – I Loooooove it! Making your own is genius – it’s been far too long since I’ve done so! Next time I make up some barbecue, I’ll be sure to make your saucy delicious recipe first! 🙂
Yum and double YUM! The best part about making your own BBQ sauce is the taste testing correct? I think all BBQ sauces need liquid smoke, and I love all the spices in here. Looks great, Kelly!
BBQ sauce comes in as my #1 savory food item. Some days it even beats out Nutella. Are you shocked??! I am in the works of creating a butternut squash-goat cheese – BBQ sauce soup – how amazing does that sound?
I have a BBQ shredded veggie sandwich (think like a vegan nod to a pulled pork or shredded chicken dish) I’m going to be posting probably on Wednesday. Otherwise, use like you would BBQ sauce. I like it on veggie burgers, you could use it in my BBQ veggie enchiladas, on pizza — really, use it anyway you normally would BBQ sauce. If there’s still any grilling season left where you are, I highly recommend slathering it on some veggies while they’re on the grill!
[…] ½ – ¾ c BBQ sauce, like this homemade one […]
[…] for years, I’ve been dreaming about making my own. Okay, BBQ pizza came first, because barbeque sauce = love. Because Josh was crying for those little green spheres, I knew they had to go on my […]
[…] no secret that I’m in love with barbeque sauce. I’ll stuff it in a quesadilla, flavor my enchiladas, or make a shredded veggie sandwich. […]
Thank you for this, I have always wanted to make my own BBQ sauce!
Let me know if you end up trying it or making a different one!
I am so intrigued by this. I love being able to make things like this from scratch, because then a recipe really becomes your own. . . . Like bbq meatballs, pulled pork, etc – instead of you and KC Masterpiece. . . . 🙂
Right? I love adding an extra bit of my flair to the food I make 🙂
Nope – I’ve never heard of BBQ sauce soup – make it!!!! And thanks for the great recipe! This looks delicious and I love that it doesn’t have some of the yucky stuff that you find in store-bought versions. (I was so disappointed years ago to realize my new-fave BBQ sauce had high fructose corn syrup as one of its major ingredients.) So, after you make that soup, are you tackling BBQ sauce layer cake?!?! 😀
Omg, I never knew I needed something more than I now need BBQ sauce cake.
Making your own BBQ sauce is not only cheaper but taste better too! A day testing BBQ sauce sounds like a good day to me.
I’m a pretty big fan of BBQ sauce too, if it’s done right. Your version sounds amazing! I bet the molasses really kicks it up a notch.
I’m right there with you on the barbecue sauce front – I Loooooove it! Making your own is genius – it’s been far too long since I’ve done so! Next time I make up some barbecue, I’ll be sure to make your saucy delicious recipe first! 🙂
I’ve made homemade BBQ sauce one time.. and I loved it! I don’t know why I haven’t taken another spin at it. It takes so much better!!
I was really surprised at how much flavor you could get for so little effort!
Yum and double YUM! The best part about making your own BBQ sauce is the taste testing correct? I think all BBQ sauces need liquid smoke, and I love all the spices in here. Looks great, Kelly!
I have kind of an unhealthy obsession with liquid smoke. I want to add it to everything!
I’ve made bbq sauce from scratch a few times and it is SOOOO much better than anything from the store! Such a nice depth of flavor.
I’m a bbq sauce lover too! This sounds so tasty! It sounds like you had a lot of fun getting that perfect flavor. Taste testing is the best!
I love barbecue sauce too and this looks like it would hit the spot!
BBQ sauce comes in as my #1 savory food item. Some days it even beats out Nutella. Are you shocked??! I am in the works of creating a butternut squash-goat cheese – BBQ sauce soup – how amazing does that sound?
It sounds PERFECT! Post the recipe asap
BBQ sauce is seriously my favorite condiment ever!! LOVE this!
I bet homemade tastes much better than store bought. Would love to give this a try. What recipes do you usually use it with?
Thanks!
I have a BBQ shredded veggie sandwich (think like a vegan nod to a pulled pork or shredded chicken dish) I’m going to be posting probably on Wednesday. Otherwise, use like you would BBQ sauce. I like it on veggie burgers, you could use it in my BBQ veggie enchiladas, on pizza — really, use it anyway you normally would BBQ sauce. If there’s still any grilling season left where you are, I highly recommend slathering it on some veggies while they’re on the grill!