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Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe

5 from 1 vote

BBQ has never been better than slathered in your own homemade sauce! Check out my recipe for Sweet BBQ Sauce for a game-changing BBQ!

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Taste the result of years of experimentation with my perfected Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe! One taste of this perfectly balanced homemade BBQ sauce and you'll never buy bottled sauce again. It's easy, simple, and delicious!

bbq sauce in a clear jar with a spoon inside
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Sweet Barbecue Sauce

There's just nothing like a good BBQ sauce. Sweet, tangy, spicy, and just a little smoky, BBQ is all about flavor, and getting just the right mix of everything. And if you've tried bottle after bottle of store-bought sauce before, you know that finding that balance isn't easy!

That's where this easy BBQ sauce recipe comes in. With ingredients you probably have sitting around at home, and less than 15 minutes of cook time, this homemade barbecue sauce recipe is not just easy- it's delicious.

The secret is in the customization! Mix it up, toss in your favorite seasonings, or kick up the spice with extra cayenne, and your friends and family will be asking for the recipe at the next big BBQ party!

bbq hamburger on a serving board with dripping bbq sauce

Sweet Barbecue Sauce Recipe Ingredients

  • Brown sugar
  • Ketchup
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Water
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cayenne
bbq sauce ingredients

Recipe for Sweet Barbecue Sauce

  1. Set a large saucepan over medium heat, and add all of the ingredients to the pan. Stir well.
    adding bbq sauce ingredients into a saucepan
  2. Bring the sauce to a boil, then immediately drop the heat to low, being careful of spatters. Cook until it reaches your desired thickness.
    bbq sauce thickening into a sauce pan
  3. Let cool, then pour into an airtight container or use immediately, and enjoy!
    adding bbq sauce onto burgers

Sweet BBQ Tips

  • For spicy BBQ sauce, add extra cayenne pepper and a teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes.
  • For sweeter BBQ sauce, add extra brown sugar. If you have a little honey, you can make honey BBQ sauce - that will add an extra dimension of sweetness!
  • Feel free to add more flavors such as your favorite whiskey or beer. If you add alcohol, just make sure to let the BBQ sauce boil for a little longer, to let the alcohol boil off.
  • This is the perfect BBQ sauce for slathering on beef ribs, chicken thighs, pork, and more! It's so versatile, it will work for everything, and it pairs great with my Pulled Pork Rub!

Try my Honey Garlic Sauce or Mayo Mustard Sauce next!

Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe FAQ

What is sweet BBQ sauce made of?

Sweet BBQ sauce is a sweet sauce made from brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and a mix of spices such as garlic and onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. These ingredients are mixed together with water to form a thick, sweet, spicy sauce.

How do you add sweetness to BBQ sauce?

BBQ sauce can be sweetened in multiple ways, but one easy way is by using brown sugar! The molasses in brown sugar adds a deep, rich flavor with more dimension than white sugar, and it helps thicken the sauce so it coats meat well. It also helps the sauce caramelize when cooked!

What spices should I add to BBQ sauce?

The classic spices to add to BBQ are chili powder, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper, and garlic and chili powder. These spices will add great depth of flavor and a smoky spice perfect to customize to your liking!

BBQ Recipes

Try homemade BBQ on these incredible BBQ recipes, and it'll be an immediate hit! Or, try it on my Fried Chicken Wings!

bbq sauce in a clear jar with a spoon dripping sauce down

If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!

bbq sauce in a clear jar

Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe

Recipe Author: Isabel, AKA Family FoodieIsabel Laessig
BBQ has never been better than slathered in your own homemade sauce! Check out my recipe for Sweet BBQ Sauce for a game-changing BBQ!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 881 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large sauce pan

Ingredients  

  • 1½ cups Brown sugar
  • 1½ cups Ketchup
  • ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup Water
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1½ Tablespoons Chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1½ teaspoons Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne - or more to taste

Instructions 

  • Set a large saucepan over medium heat, and add all of the ingredients to the pan. Stir well.
    1½ cups Brown sugar,1½ cups Ketchup,½ cup Apple cider vinegar,¼ cup Water,1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce,1½ Tablespoons Chili powder,1 Tablespoon Garlic powder,1 Tablespoon Onion powder,2 teaspoons Paprika,2 teaspoons Salt,1½ teaspoons Black pepper,½ teaspoon Cayenne
    adding bbq sauce ingredients into a saucepan
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then immediately drop the heat to low, being careful of spatters. Cook until it reaches your desired thickness.
    bbq sauce thickening into a sauce pan
  • Let cool, then pour into an airtight container or use immediately, and enjoy!
    adding bbq sauce onto burgers
Final stepPlease consider Leaving a Review below to tell me what you think of the recipe! This helps me know what you're looking for, so I can continue to provide you with high-quality recipes at no cost.
5 from 1 vote

Notes

  • For spicy BBQ sauce, add extra cayenne pepper and a teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes.
  • For sweeter BBQ sauce, add extra brown sugar. If you have a little honey, that will add an extra dimension of sweetness!
  • Feel free to add more flavors such as your favorite whiskey or beer. If you add an alcohol, just make sure to let the BBQ sauce boil for a little longer, to let the alcohol boil off.
  • This is the perfect BBQ sauce for slathering on beef ribs, chicken thighs, pork, and more! It's so versatile, it will work for everything!

Nutrition

Calories: 881kcalCarbohydrates: 224gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 4224mgPotassium: 1112mgFiber: 5gSugar: 201gVitamin A: 3910IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 228mgIron: 4mg
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Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

About Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Sunday Supper Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

» About Me

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    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Tom says

    I had run out of chili powder, but substituted some of my favorite rubs as chili powder is in all the rubs. The extra flavor made it awesome. Also instead of ketchup, I used tomato sauce instead. This recipe is a Keeper!

    Reply

    • Isabel Laessig says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Tom! Thank you!

      Reply