A sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce you will want to drink by the gallon. It is perfect for dips, marinades, grilling, and just about everything else.

While store-bought barbecue sauce is incredible, there is something about homemade barbecue sauce that is so much more satisfying. There is a depth of flavor and brightness that cannot be matched by anything else. You can also customize the flavor profile to complement your food and taste preferences.

This particular recipe for homemade barbecue sauce has a hint of honey and a hint of heat. It’s my favorite to use as a dipping sauce or cooking vegetables and chicken, but it can truly be used for any meat or occasion. It comes together on your stovetop in under 30 minutes.

Why This Homemade Barbecue Sauce is The Best

I love making sauces from scratch. Not only can you control exactly what goes into it, but you also avoid extra preservatives and additives of the storebought stuff. The ingredients are super simple and probably sitting in your pantry as we speak!

This homemade barbecue sauce has the perfect flavor. Tangy, slightly sweet, and savory, it is perfect for all of your BBQ recipes.

How to Make BBQ Sauce From Scratch

Here is a brief overview of how this simple, tangy sauce comes together. For the full homemade bbq sauce recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Combine ingredients. Mix all of the ingredients together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
2. Cook the sauce. Stir frequently and scrape the sides and bottom of the pan to prevent the sauce from sticking. It will thicken as it cooks.
3. Use or store for later. Transfer to a container to cool to room temperature. This sauce is ready to eat or can be stored in the refrigerator.

Adjusting The Flavor

Making homemade barbecue sauce is surprisingly easy and quick. Once it is thickened, you can use it right away or you can store it in the refrigerator for later. I recommend using this homemade barbecue sauce as a blank canvas for you to customize.

• For a deeper flavor, you can replace the honey with molasses.
• For a touch of fruity sweetness like a Hawaiian barbecue, you can replace the water with pineapple juice.
• You can add smokiness and heat with chipotle peppers, or give it a Mexican flair with cumin and chili powder.

My main recommendation is to taste as you go, especially when adding the cayenne pepper and salt so you reach your desired level of heat and saltiness. Personally, I prefer a bit more heat, but this particular recipe has just a slight touch of heat that is still very kid-friendly. For those very discerning young palates, you can completely omit the cayenne and still have a great sauce.

Storing and Freezing Homemade BBQ Sauce

This sauce can be stored in an airtight container or jar in your refrigerator for up to one week. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled depending on how much sauce you need and want to keep on hand.

You can also freeze barbecue sauce. Allow the sauce to cool completely then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container, leaving some room at the top for it to expand. Store in the freezer for up to three months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use.

How to Use Homemade BBQ Sauce

The possibilities for how to use this sauce are truly endless. From marinating meat, to topping burgers and sandwiches, you will love adding it to your dinner rotation. Try using it as the sauce on a bbq pizza or covering your favorite chicken wings. Here are some great recipes that use this homemade sauce!

• Baked BBQ Chicken Nachos
• BBQ Bacon Ranch Dip
• Grilled BBQ Ribs

If you make this easy homemade barbecue sauce recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!