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Discover our mouthwatering homemade Small Batch BBQ Sauce, perfect for baking, grilling, and dipping. This easy recipe adds a burst of sweet and tangy flavor to your favorite dishes, making it a must-have in any kitchen. With its simplicity and versatility, you can enjoy this delicious homemade sauce anytime, regardless of the season.
Enjoy this homemade barbecue sauce, ideal for complementing the rich flavors of tender Baked Ribs and succulent Roasted Chicken Legs!
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Easy to make: Our small batch BBQ sauce recipe is all about simplicity, perfect for anyone wanting to make homemade sauce without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
- Easy to customize: When you make your own BBQ sauce, you have full control over the ingredients and flavors. Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or spiciness to suit your preferences or the specific dish you’re preparing.
- Everyday ingredients: Made with easy-to-find ingredients, our sauce is much tastier than mass-produced store-bought versions that might have been sitting on shelves for a long time.
- Healthier options: By making your own BBQ sauce, you can choose healthier ingredients like organic or low-sugar ketchup, natural sweeteners, and low-sodium options. This allows you to create a sauce that fits your dietary needs and preferences.
- Cost-effective: Making BBQ sauce at home can be more cost-effective than buying pre-made sauces, especially if you regularly use BBQ sauce and have the necessary ingredients in your pantry.
- Recipe doubles well: This small batch sauce recipe yields about 3/4 cup of delicious BBQ sauce. If you want to make more, simply double the ingredient amounts.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this barbecue sauce recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Ketchup: This ingredient is the base for a great BBQ sauce. It adds sweetness and a slightly tangy flavor to the sauce. Feel free to use organic or low-sugar varieties for a healthier option.
- Brown sugar: Substitute with maple syrup or honey for a different flavor profile.
- Worcestershire sauce: Use a gluten-free or vegan alternative if needed.
- Mustard: Mustard adds a tangy, acidic element to the sauce, which helps to balance the sweetness from ingredients like brown sugar and ketchup. This tanginess contributes to a more complex and balanced flavor profile in the sauce.
- Seasonings: Use coarsely ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
- Apple cider vinegar: This ingredient also adds a tangy and acidic element to the sauce which helps balance the sweetness of the other ingredients. It also helps to brighten and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. Apple cider vinegar also helps to tenderize meats if the sauce is used as a marinade and is a natural preservative that will help to extend the shelf life of your homemade sauce when stored properly. While apple cider vinegar is a popular choice for this sauce, you can also experiment with other types like white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar to achieve different flavor profiles.
How To Make BBQ Sauce
The photo and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small batch of BBQ sauce. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine all the ingredients in a 1-quart saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high until the sauce starts to simmer, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pro Tip: Simmering thickens the sauce. For a thicker sauce, cook an extra 5-10 minutes.
Note: Cooking on medium-low helps meld flavors and create a smooth texture. Stir often to prevent sticking or burning.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to keep it fresh.
Pro Tip: For the best flavor, let the sauce cool and rest for at least an hour or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
This recipe makes 3/4 cup of barbecue sauce.
Ways To Use Homemade BBQ Sauce
Homemade BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile and can enhance many dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Roasting or grilling: Brush your BBQ sauce on meats like Baked Chicken Thighs or Steak and Potatoes.
- Marinade: Mix the sauce with a bit of oil and use it as a marinade for meats, poultry, seafood, or tofu. It tenderizes and adds great flavor.
- Dipping sauce: Serve your BBQ sauce as a dip for chicken tenders, French fries, or tortilla chips.
- Sandwich spread: Use your sauce as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
- Meatloaf glaze: Brush your sauce on top of meatloaf before baking for a flavorful glaze and beautiful finish.
- Pizza topping: Use your BBQ sauce as a base for BBQ chicken or pork pizza, or drizzle it on top of a finished pizza for extra flavor.
- Pasta sauce: Mix your BBQ sauce with some cream or tomato sauce for a unique and tasty pasta sauce.
Expert Tips
- Start with a good base: Choose a quality ketchup or tomato base, as this will significantly impact the overall flavor of your BBQ sauce. Experiment with different brands or styles to find the one that best suits your taste preferences.
- Taste as you go: Continuously taste your sauce as you make it, adjusting the ingredients and seasonings as needed. This will ensure that you end up with a sauce that is tailored to your liking.
- Customize your sauce: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to make your homemade sauce unique. Consider adding ingredients like fruit preserves, bourbon, beer, or liquid smoke for a distinct twist.
- Consider dietary preferences and restrictions: If you’re cooking for guests or family members with specific dietary needs, be mindful of ingredients like gluten, sugar, or animal products. Modify your recipe accordingly to create a sauce that suits everyone’s needs.
- Make it your own: The beauty of homemade BBQ sauce lies in its versatility and adaptability. Use recipes as a starting point, and don’t hesitate to make adjustments to create a sauce that perfectly complements your taste preferences and the dishes you’re preparing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you’d like to make extra BBQ sauce, just double the ingredient amounts and use a larger saucepan to cook the sauce in.
Yes, you can make BBQ sauce in advance. In fact, making it ahead of time allows the flavors to meld and develop, resulting in a more robust and complex sauce.
To thicken your BBQ sauce, try simmering it over low heat for a longer period, which will help to reduce and concentrate the sauce.
Yes, you can make a sugar-free BBQ sauce by using sugar substitutes like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener. Adjust the amounts according to your taste preferences and the specific sweetener’s conversion ratio.
Yes, you can make a vegetarian or vegan BBQ sauce by using vegan-friendly ingredients, such as vegan Worcestershire sauce or tamari, in place of traditional Worcestershire sauce. Most other common BBQ sauce ingredients are already plant-based.
This recipe calls for using 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder. You can make your BBQ sauce spicier by adding an additional 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder or by adding ingredients like hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your desired heat level.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this single serving BBQ sauce recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch BBQ Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder (This recipe yields a sauce with a mild heat. If you prefer more heat, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder. Taste the sauce first, then add more chili powder if needed.)
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a 1-quart saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high until the sauce starts to simmer, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.Pro Tip: Simmering thickens the sauce. For a thicker sauce, cook an extra 5-10 minutes.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to keep it fresh.
Notes
- Start with a good base: Choose a quality ketchup or tomato base, as this will significantly impact the overall flavor of your BBQ sauce. Experiment with different brands or styles to find the one that best suits your taste preferences.
- Taste as you go: Continuously taste your sauce as you make it, adjusting the ingredients and seasonings as needed. This will ensure that you end up with a sauce that is tailored to your liking.
- Customize your sauce: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to make your homemade sauce unique. Consider adding ingredients like fruit preserves, bourbon, beer, or liquid smoke for a distinct twist.
- Consider dietary preferences and restrictions: If you’re cooking for guests or family members with specific dietary needs, be mindful of ingredients like gluten, sugar, or animal products. Modify your recipe accordingly to create a sauce that suits everyone’s needs.
- Make it your own: The beauty of homemade BBQ sauce lies in its versatility and adaptability. Use recipes as a starting point, and don’t hesitate to make adjustments to create a sauce that perfectly complements your taste preferences and the dishes you’re preparing.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Is it freezeable?
Absolutely, this BBQ sauce can be frozen! While I typically use up my small batch without needing to freeze it, other readers have shared that they’ve successfully frozen the sauce. It’s great to know you have the option. And when you’re ready for more, it’s so simple to whip up a fresh batch.
Love this recipe
It’s perfect for my husband and I
Love this BBQ sauce and so easy to make. Will definitely make this again and again.
Hey! I have been using your recipes for years and am thankful for you site. I print these out all the time.
Today, I tried to print out the BBQ sauce and the printer would not allow it to be printed. It’s not my printer as I have been using it all day….
Do you know why? I am sending this on due to so much fraud, spam etc
Thank you.
Cornelia
I’m sorry, Cornelia – I have no idea why you are unable to print the recipe.
Made this, after tasting had to add 1 tablespoon of molasses being from the Kansas city area, now it taste great, my go to barbeque sauce!,
I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Great recipe.
Thank you!