The Best Homemade BBQ Sauce + Video

You’ve got to try this homemade bbq sauce for your summer grilling. You’ll never look back! This’s the basic version, but it’s so easy to customize it to your own taste.

{scroll down for video tutorial}

After bottles and bottles of different bbq sauces, I’ve come to conclusion: homemade bbq sauce is the only way to satisfy our taste buds. Don’t get me wrong, there’re decent ones out there on the market, but we haven’t found THE ONE we’d buy again and again. Some are too vinegary, some are too thick or too runny, and most are too sweet for our taste… (And by we, I mean my husband and I.)

Thus, I started my research for perfect bbq sauce recipe. On the internet, of course!

It didn’t take long to land on a great starting point. I came across my favorite youtuber Laura Vitale’s recipe and it was great. I made teeny-tiny tweaks and we absolutely loved it!

Once you’ve made this basic version, try different variations. Here’re a few ideas to get you going:

• Pineapple bbq sauce – instead of water add pineapple juice
• Bourbon bbq sauce – instead of water add bourbon
• Spicy bbq sauce – add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to taste
• Honey bbq sauce – add 2-3 tablespoons honey
• Smoky bbq sauce – add 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• Chipotle bbq sauce – add 1-2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

And you can always mix and match flavors too. Smoky chipotle bbq sauce, anyone? Or spicy pineapple bbq sauce? Honey sriracha would be addicting! You get the idea…

Anyway, this homemade bbq sauce is perfect for meatballs, little smokies, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and so much more! Think barbecue chicken on the grill this summer!!! Oh man, I can’t wait.

And if you’re wondering how long you can store homemade bbq sauce, it’s good for up to 3 months in the fridge. Due to vinegar content, homemade bbq sauce can be stored for a while in the fridge. But I doubt it’ll last that long.

Now tell me what’s your favorite bbq dish? If I had to choose one, baby back ribs would be my choice.

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The Best Homemade BBQ Sauce

You’ve got to try this homemade bbq sauce for your summer grilling. You’ll never look back! This’s the basic version, but it’s so easy to customize it to your own taste.

Yield: About 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable, or canola oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1/4 cup (50gr) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat and add onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
2. Stir in spices and cook for a minute or so, until fragrant.
3. Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Bring it to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium low and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Adapted from Laura Vitale’s Homemade Barbecue Sauce.

All images and text ©Shinee D. for Sweet & Savory

All photographs and content on Sweet & Savory by Shinee is copyright protected, unless otherwise noted. Please do not use any of my photos without my authorization. If you would like to share my recipe, you may re-write the recipe in your own words, or simply link back to this post for the full directions. Thank you for your cooperation!