This thick, tangy, and sweet BBQ sauce is my go-to for ribs, chicken, or dipping. I love how easy it is to tweak – make it as sweet or tangy as you want!
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One of the challenges of making your own BBQ sauce is getting the right balance of sweetness and tanginess. Too much sugar and it’s overly sweet, and too much vinegar, and it’s too tangy. But this recipe works great for me every time – it’s sweet but perfectly tangy.
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe was found on a little itty bitty piece of paper in my grandma’s recipe box. I have no idea of its origins, but it looks like it may have been cut out of a magazine. I absolutely love the flavors of this sauce – as I like a sweet sauce. This sauce has the perfect blend of flavors and it’s so easy to make! Here are a few more reasons why I love this recipe:
- This recipe is a snap to make. Just combine the ingredients in a pot, heat, and you’re done. It’s that simple! It’s as easy as my easy oven-baked BBQ wings.
- Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you. This BBQ sauce is bursting with flavor, thanks to the perfect balance of brown sugar sweetness and a hint of mustard and vinegar.
- This sauce is not just for grilling. It’s perfect for dipping or slathering on your favorite meats. It’s incredibly versatile. It works great for my homemade barbecue pizza too.
- There’s something special about making your own BBQ sauce from scratch, and I have so many other easy sauces, dips, and dressings you might like.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Brown Sugar: This sweetens the sauce and gives it a rich, caramel-like flavor.
- Ketchup: It forms the base of the sauce, providing a tangy tomato flavor and a thick, smooth texture.
- White Vinegar: This ingredient adds a tangy, acidic kick to the sauce, helping to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar. While the recipe calls for white vinegar, but you can also try using apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor. It will add a touch of sweetness to your sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: It brings a deep, savory flavor to the sauce, with a hint of tanginess and sweetness.
- Mustard: It adds a sharp, pungency to the sauce, cutting through the sweetness and providing a bit of heat. For those who like more heat, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce. This will give it a spicy kick that’s perfect for grilled meats.
How to Make Sweet BBQ Sauce
Preparation
Gather all your ingredients. This simple step can make it a lot quicker and more organized to make the recipe.
Step 1 – Combine the Ingredients
In a small stockpot, add all the ingredients. This includes the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir them together to make sure they are well combined.
Step 2 – Heat the Sauce
Place the stockpot over low heat. Stir the sauce occasionally as it heats up. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts to get bubbly and the sugar has dissolved completely into the sauce.
Step 3 – Cool and Store
Once the sauce is ready, take it off the heat and let it cool. Once it’s at room temperature, you can transfer it to a container with a lid. Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Lynette’s Tip
To store your homemade BBQ sauce, let it cool and then transfer it to a pint jar. This is the perfect storage container for this recipe, keeping it fresh and ready to use whenever you want to enjoy it.
What to Serve With
This classic BBQ sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your grilled favorites. Serve it with a rack of ribs, grilled chicken, or even as a dipping sauce for your French fries. The sweet and tangy flavors of the sauce will take your BBQ to the next level.
If you’re a burger fan, you have to try this BBQ sauce on your next homemade burger. The bold flavors of the sauce pair perfectly with a bbq beef sandwich, making for a truly delicious burger.
For a fun and unique appetizer, try serving this BBQ sauce with meatballs. Simply cook the meatballs in the sauce for a few minutes, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any party.
If you’re a fan of pizza, you can use this BBQ sauce as a base instead of the traditional tomato sauce, or try our barbecue pizza recipe.
Make Ahead Instructions
This sauce will stay in the refrigerator for up to one month. So simply make it as directed and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy it.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of mustard for this BBQ sauce, but I recommend using a basic yellow mustard for a classic flavor. Dijon mustard can also work well and add a slightly different, more complex flavor to the sauce.
Yes, you can. If you prefer a less sweet BBQ sauce, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar. Just make sure to adjust the other ingredients to maintain the balance of flavors.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After using the BBQ sauce, let it cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight jar or container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to one month.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this BBQ sauce as it can change the texture and flavor.
More Sauce Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Sweet BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Cup brown sugar
- 1 Cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- In a small stockpot, combine all ingredients.
- Stir and heat over low heat until bubbly and the sugar is dissolved into the sauce. Sauce should be slightly thick. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Let cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
My Favorite Variations
- Liquid Smoke: If you love that smoky flavor in your BBQ sauce, try adding a little bit of liquid smoke to the recipe. It will give your sauce a delicious, authentic barbecue flavor.
- Vary the Vinegar: The recipe calls for white vinegar, but you can also try using apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor. It will add a touch of sweetness to your sauce.
- Spicy: For those who like a bit of heat, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce. This will give it a spicy kick that’s perfect for grilled meats.
