Fire up that grill or smoker, slap on some ribs, and get ready to taste the best homemade bbq sauce - Southern style!
This barbecue sauce recipe is so quick and easy to make! It has a sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of smoky Southern heat that's so finger-licking good!
Perfect for pork ribs (like my fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs); as well as, smoked brisket, pulled pork, and grilled chicken - to name a few. Plus, it only takes 10 minutes to cook - now that's fast!
In this simple recipe, tomato sauce and apple cider vinegar create a tangy flavor while brown sugar and honey add a subtle sweetness. Liquid smoke enriches that fresh-off-the-grill taste along with chili powder for some Southern heat. Other common ingredients used in this recipe include paprika, dry mustard, black pepper, salt, and my secret ingredient - ginger!
Ingredients in this Recipe
This simple recipe uses basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. For measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Tomato sauce - for a salty, savory flavor that helps balance out the sweetness
- Apple cider vinegar - gives the sauce that signature tangy BBQ flavor
- Brown sugar - adds a sweet, molasses taste to balance out the saltiness
- Honey - for subtle sweetness
- Chili powder - to give the sauce some Southern heat
- Liquid smoke - amplifies that fresh-off-the-grill flavor
- Ginger - shhhhh! This is my secret ingredient that adds a warm, slightly sweet woodiness.
- Other seasonings - paprika, dry mustard, black pepper, and salt
How to Make Barbecue Sauce
Here are the steps and process images for how to make this recipe. More detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove sauce from heat just before it reaches your preferred thickness. (Remember sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.)
- Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Variations
- Thinner: If you prefer a thin BBQ sauce, be sure to remove it from the heat while it's still thin. Remember the sauce will continue to thicken while it cools.
- Thicker: Combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch or flour with 2 teaspoons of water in a small bowl. Stir until lump-free and add with the other ingredients prior to cooking the sauce. If you double the recipe, be sure to adjust these measurements as well.
Storage
Store in an airtight container (I prefer glass jars) for up to one week in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
Ways to Use BBQ Sauce
- Chicken - slather over grilled or baked chicken for a delicious flavor!
- Pork - perfect with pork ribs, pulled pork, or brisket. Yum!
- Pizza - hello BBQ pizza sauce!
- BBQ beans - the perfect side dish!
- Dip - try dipping sweet potato fries, you won't be sorry!
FAQ About This Recipe:
About ⅓ cup per pound of pork.
Baste chicken with BBQ sauce during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking - this will help prevent your chicken from burning.
While marinating chicken in BBQ sauce does add tons of flavor to your meat, it can cause your chicken to burn on the grill. This is because BBQ sauce contains a lot of sugar and can start to burn before your chicken finishes cooking. If you do choose to use BBQ sauce as a marinade, be sure to wipe it off the chicken before grilling and baste it back on near the end of cooking.
Other Recipes You'll Love!
- Sweet Dry Rub for Pork Ribs
- 2-1 Quick BBQ Pork Ribs
- Smoked Pellet Grill Brisket
- Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs
- Pan Seared Steak
- Smoked Country-Style Pork Ribs
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Southern Homemade BBQ Sauce
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove sauce from heat just before it reaches your preferred thickness. (Remember sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.)
- Store in an airtight container (I prefer glass jars) for up to one week in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For a thicker sauce: Combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch or flour with 2 teaspoons of water in a small bowl. Stir until lump-free and add with the other ingredients prior to cooking the sauce. If you double the recipe, be sure to adjust these measurements as well.
Nutrition
*Nutritional facts are calculated by third party sources and are not always accurate. If you are on a special diet, we highly recommend you calculate these values personally.
Kelly
Looks delicious! There is nothing better than homemade bbq sauce!
Ranch Style Kitchen
Thank you so much!
Sara
I made this tonight along with your Instant Pot ribs recipe & they were both delicious! Will definitely be coming back for more recipes!
Ranch Style Kitchen
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing!
Jim Stanley
I dont like ginger. Can I leave it out? Or what can I substitute it with?
Ranch Style Kitchen
Yes, you can absolutely leave it out. There is such a small amount used in this recipe that it won't make that much of a difference. Thanks for your question!