Take your weekend ribs or barbecue up a notch – this is the “special occasion” sauce that makes dinner taste like you’ve gone all out (without the effort!).
Most of the time, store-bought barbecue sauce does the job just fine. Busy Tuesday night? Perfect. But when you want to make your meal that extra little bit special – whether you’re hosting a barbecue, pulling together steak sandwiches with caramelised onions, or just trying to impress the kids with a better dipping sauce for nuggets – this homemade version is where the magic happens.
It’s glossy, tangy, a little sweet and totally irresistible. Brush it over sticky ribs or chicken wings, serve it with sausages and kebabs, or drizzle it onto slow-cooker pulled pork rolls that will disappear before you can sit down. Dunk in wedges, fries, or use as a pizza-base sauce if you’re feeling snacky. Basically, it’s the one sauce that makes everything taste like you’ve gone all out – without actually adding too much more work. This comes together really quickly.
Keep the store-bought bottle for weeknights. But for Friday night fakeaway, backyard barbecues, or when you just want to add some extra zing, this easy homemade barbecue sauce is your secret weapon!
What can I use this barbecue sauce with?
- Brush it onto sticky barbecue ribs or smoky chicken wings.
- Serve it at a backyard barbecue alongside caramelised onion steak sandwiches, sausages and kebabs.
- Dunk in with crispy nuggets, crispy chicken tenders, homemade wedges or a bowl of fries.
- Drizzle it over slow-cooker pulled pork.
- Spread it on a burger bun or pizza base for an instant “wow” factor.
Can I make it spicier/smokier/sweeter?
Definitely. Add a pinch of chilli (red pepper) flakes for heat, swap in smoked paprika for extra smokiness, or stir in a touch more brown sugar if you like it sweeter.
Will kids eat it?
Yes – this version is family-friendly with no chilli. Kids love it as a nugget, crispy chicken tenders or wedge dip, while adults can jazz it up with chilli oil or hot sauce if they want more punch.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Double (or triple) the quantities and stash some in the freezer so you’ve always got a jar ready for your next fakeaway night or barbecue.
You’ll enjoy Easy Homemade Barbecue Sauce with:
Easy Oven-baked BBQ Pork Ribs
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Garlicky BBQ Chicken Kebabs
BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
Beef Brisket Loaded Fries
Easy Homemade Barbecue Sauce
This Easy Homemade Barbecue Sauce is your secret weapon for turning everyday meals into something special. Ready in just 10 minutes with pantry staples, it’s glossy, tangy and perfectly balanced. Brush it on ribs or wings, serve it with sausages, kebabs or steak sandwiches, drizzle it over pulled pork rolls, or use it as the ultimate dip for nuggets and wedges. Fridge and freezer-friendly, it’s the sauce that makes any dinner feel a little bit special.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups (500 ml)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (375 ml) ketchup
- ½ cup, firmly packed (115 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients, except the butter, to a medium saucepan off the heat (important – make sure it’s a cold saucepan, as the sauce needs to be warmed gradually. This will stop it spitting or catching on the base of the pan).
- Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 5–8 minutes, stirring often. (Stirring is important because it stops the sauce catching on the bottom of the pan and also keeps it from bubbling over.) Cook until the sauce thickens slightly and looks glossy.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted and silky.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD
- Batch cooking – Double or triple the recipe and cool completely before storing.
- Fridge storage – Pour into clean glass jars or airtight containers. Keeps for up to 2 weeks. The sauce can be used cold as a dip or spread (great for nuggets, sandwiches or fries) or gently warmed if you prefer it glossy and pourable.
- Freezer storage – Freeze in small containers or reusable freezer bags (about ½ cup/125 ml portions are handy). Lay bags flat for easy stacking. Keeps for up to 3 months.
- Thawing – Move to the fridge overnight (small portions thaw in just a few hours).
- Reheating (optional) – If you’d like it warm and silky, heat gently in a small pan on the stovetop over low heat, stirring until smooth. If it’s too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons of water to loosen.
LEFTOVERS
- Fridge – Store cooled sauce in a jar or airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Use it cold as a dip or spread, or warm it gently for a glossy finish.
- Freezer – Keeps well for up to 3 months. See Make Ahead above for tips on portioning, thawing and reheating.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sauces and Dressings
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: BBQ-inspired
