Homemade Small-Batch BBQ Sauce: Discover our mouthwatering, easy recipe for a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for baking, grilling & dipping. Elevate your BBQ game!
Delight your taste buds with this easy, homemade BBQ sauce that's perfect for any occasion!
BBQ sauce adds a burst of flavor to your favorite dishes, making it a must-have condiment in any kitchen. This small batch BBQ sauce recipe is designed for simplicity and ease, allowing you to create delicious homemade sauce anytime you want, regardless of the season. Experience the versatility of this flavorful sauce in your culinary creations.
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What Is BBQ Sauce?
BBQ sauce is a sweet, tangy, and sometimes spicy sauce that is typically used to flavor grilled, smoked, or roasted meats. It can also be used as a marinade or dipping sauce for various dishes.
This versatile barbecue sauce recipe is ideal for anyone looking to make just enough sauce for one or two servings. It's easy to double or triple the recipe if you're entertaining a larger crowd.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to make: Our small batch BBQ sauce recipe focuses on ease and accessibility, making it perfect for those who want to create a homemade sauce without complicated steps or ingredients.
- Easy to customize: When you make your own BBQ sauce, you have full control over the ingredients and flavors. You can adjust the sweetness, tanginess, spiciness, or any other elements to suit your personal preferences or to compliment the specific dish you are preparing.
- Everyday ingredients: Our sauce is made with easy-to-find ingredients and is much tastier than the mass-produced store-bought sauces that may have been sitting on shelves for an extended period.
- Healthier options: By making your own BBQ sauce, you can choose healthier ingredients, such as using organic or low-sugar ketchup, natural sweeteners, and using low-sodium ingredients. This allows you to create a sauce that better aligns with your dietary needs and preferences.
- Cost-effectiveness: Making BBQ sauce at home can be more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made sauces, especially if you regularly use BBQ sauce and have a pantry stocked with the necessary ingredients.
- Recipe doubles well: This small batch sauce recipe yields approximately ¾ cup of the best BBQ sauce! If you'd like to make extra, just double the ingredient amounts.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.
- 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.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
How To Make BBQ Sauce
The photo and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make homemade BBQ sauce. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine all of the ingredients in a 1-quart saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high heat until the sauce begins to simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pro Tip: Simmering the sauce will help it to thicken. If you'd like a thicker sauce, cook the sauce for an additional 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Cooking your sauce over medium-low heat helps to meld the flavors together and create a smoother, more cohesive texture. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
- Use immediately or store your homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and maintain its quality. It should last for up to two weeks when stored properly.
Pro Tip: Although you can use the sauce right after it has cooked, I prefer to allow it to cool and rest for at least an hour or even overnight. This will give the flavors time to meld and develop, resulting in a more robust and complex sauce.
This recipe yields ¾ cup of barbecue 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 ¼ teaspoon of chili powder. You can make your BBQ sauce spicier by adding an additional ¼ 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 Homemade BBQ Sauce
Homemade BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes. Here are a few ideas:
- Roasting or grilling: Use your homemade BBQ sauce when grilling or roasting meats, poultry, seafood, or vegetables.
- Marinade: Combine your sauce with a little oil and use it as a marinade for meats, poultry, seafood, or even tofu. The sauce will help tenderize and infuse the food with flavor.
- Dipping sauce: Serve your homemade sauce as a dipping sauce for finger foods like chicken tenders, 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 which will add a flavorful glaze and a beautiful finish to the dish.
- Pizza topping: Use your homemade sauce as a base for BBQ chicken or BBQ pork pizza, or drizzle it on top of a finished pizza for an extra burst of flavor.
- Pasta sauce: Combine your BBQ sauce with a little cream or tomato sauce to create a unique and flavorful pasta sauce.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch BBQ sauce recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
- Ketchup: Reuben Sandwich, Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken, Slow Cooker Meatloaf, Juicy Lucy, Baked Beans
- Mustard: Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby, Potato Salad, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
- Garlic powder: Hash Browns, Cheese Grits, Baked Pork Chop, Jalapeño Poppers, Tuna Salad
- Onion powder: Taco Seasoning, Steak Fajitas, Turkey Roast
- Chili powder: Mexican Corn Dip, Zuppa Toscana, Tomato Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Beef Enchiladas
- Worcestershire sauce: Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Turkey Meatloaf, Shrimp Etouffee, Beef Stroganoff, Irish Stew
- Apple cider vinegar: Pickled Onions, Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls, Baked Beans, Carne Asada
- Brown sugar: Ham Steak, Jerk Chicken, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Apple Crisp, Butter Pecan Granola
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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Recipe
Small Batch BBQ Sauce
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
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 amount yields a sauce with a small amount of heat. If you'd like a sauce with more heat, add an additional ¼ teaspoon of chili powder. I recommend that you taste the sauce first, then add additional chili powder if you feel it is necessary)
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a 1-quart saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high heat until the sauce begins to simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.Pro Tip: Simmering the sauce will help it to thicken. If you'd like a thicker sauce, cook the sauce for an additional 5 to 10 minutes longer.
- Use immediately or store your homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and maintain its quality. It should last for up to two weeks when stored properly.
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.
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.
Gary Greene says
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!,
Joanie Zisk says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
J. Hegyi says
Great recipe.
Joanie Zisk says
Thank you!