Finding the perfect barbeque sauce doesn’t always come easy, so why not try making your own homemade BBQ sauce? This simple BBQ sauce marinade goes great with a variety of different dishes and there’s a good chance you will have most (if not all) of these ingredients in your pantry or fridge already!

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

This BBQ sauce works as a simple sauce to serve with your meat dishes or you can use it as a marinade for braising different cuts of meat, like these smoked pork belly burnt ends.

You can experiment with the quantities of ingredients to make it your own or add a little spice if you’re looking for the perfect spicy BBQ sauce too.

BBQ Sauce Ingredients

These are the basic ingredients you need to make homemade BBQ sauce. You will find the exact recommended quantities in the recipe card below.

I also like to add a couple of tablespoons of my pork dry rub mix for a richer flavour, but this isn’t essential if you’re using it with pre-seasoned meats.

Tomato paste
Tomato ketchup
Apple cider vinegar
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Worcestershire sauce
Liquid smoke
Salt & Pepper
Brown sugar
Honey

How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce Marinade

STEP ONE – Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a medium pan over medium heat. Stir well and consistently. Optional: Add a couple of tablespoons of dry rub to the sauce.

STEP TWO – Bring the sauce to a boil and then turn down to a low heat until the sauce thickens to a sticky consistency, simmering for approx 10 minutes.

STEP THREE – Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool before using in your favourite meat dishes or as a dipping sauce.

Serving Suggestions

There are a few ways you can enjoy your homemade barbeque sauce.

Use As A Sauce: Obviously, the most common way to enjoy BBQ sauce is as a sauce for meats such as ribs, pulled pork, or chicken. Simply brush it on during cooking or serve it on the side for dipping.
Use As A Glaze: You can also use BBQ sauce as a glaze for meat or grilled vegetables, like corn on the cob. Brush the sauce on while grilling and let it caramelise for extra flavour.
Use As A Marinade: You can also use your homemade BBQ sauce as a marinade for other meats, such as chicken, pork or beef. Simply brush the sauce over the meat and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
Use To Braise: BBQ sauce can also be used to braise meat, such as with these pork belly burnt ends, to help tenderise the meat. Add this to meats during the smoking process, or simply add the sauce to a slow cooker or Dutch oven with your meat and let it cook until tender.
Use As A Pizza Sauce: For a unique twist on pizza night, use your homemade BBQ sauce as a base for a delicious barbecue pizza, topped with cheese and meats.

BBQ Sauce Variations

Experimentation is a great thing to cement your favourite BBQ sauce.

Spicy BBQ Sauce: If you want a bit of spice in your BBQ sauce, add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the pan too. Taste your sauce to test the spice level and adjust to your personal tastes.
Other Flavours To Try: Try adding a splash of red wine or your favourite (cheap) whiskey or beer to create a flavour that is slightly different from the norm and uniquely yours!

How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce

Want to make your homemade sauce ahead of time, rather than on the day of cooking? Sure thing!

Refrigerate: Store your homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight container or jar and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Freeze: If you make a large batch of BBQ sauce, you can freeze it in an ice cube tray for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag and store them for up to six months.

Try it with these recipes: