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If you are looking for a sweet and tangy Homemade BBQ Sauce made without ketchup, this is the recipe for you! Made in less than 30 minutes with pantry staples, it's thick, layered with flavor, and works on everything from ribs to chicken.
Use this homemade BBQ sauce just as you would store-bought. It puts the perfect finishing touch on Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs, Instant Pot Brisket, Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts, and Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.
Homemade BBQ Sauce at a Glance
- Yields: ~2 cups (easy to double)
- Time: 5 minutes prep + 25-30 minutes simmer
- Flavor: Balanced sweet + tangy with a subtle smoky finish
- Kid-Friendly: Mild heat (easily adjustable)
Recipe Highlights
Kristen's Keys for Thick & Tangy BBQ Sauce
A great BBQ sauce is all about balance and a few details make a big difference in both the taste and texture.
- Don't rush the simmer. That 25-30 minutes is where the sauce thickens and flavors deepen. Too short translates into a thin and sharp-tasting sauce.
- Use three sweeteners for true balance. Molasses adds deep, warming notes, honey adds earthy undertones, and brown sugar adss rich, caramel flavor.
- Keep heat at a gentle simmer. If the heat is too high, the sauce will burn and turn bitter.
- Taste at the end, not the beginning. Flavors concentrate as it cooks. Wait to adjust sweetness or tang after simmering.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
- Tomato Sauce + Tomato Paste: This replaces ketchup and gives you full control over sweetness and thickness.
- Pineapple Juice: Helps to thin the sauce, along with adding natural sweetness that helps keep the added sugar to a minimum.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Brings that classic tang and cuts through the sweetness.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth with earthy, savory notes.
- To Sweeten: Honey (or maple syrup), brown sugar, and molasses work together for a signature BBQ sauce flavor.
- Spices: Smoked paprika for smokiness, garlic and onion powder for savory notes, dry mustard and cayenne for heat and complexity.
How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce Without Ketchup
Making homemade barbecue sauce is as easy as whisking all the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmering until thick and tangy. And remember...don't try to speed up the process. Low and slow is best here.
- Combine Ingredients. Add everything to a medium saucepan and whisk well to fully incorporate the tomato paste.
- Bring to a Simmer. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until small bubbles along the edge of the pan form. We are not looking for a rolling boil here, just gentle bubble.
- Simmer until Thick. Once bubbles begin to form, turn the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
Recipe Variations & Modifications
- Make it Smoky: Add ½ teaspoon liquid smoke or an extra teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Adjust Heat: Increase or decrease cayenne to taste.
- Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
- Make it Sweeter: Add an additional tablespoon or two of both honey and brown sugar to taste.
- Low-Sodium Use salt-free tomato sauce, low-sodium Worcestershire sauce, and omit the salt from the seasonings.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
- No Pineapple Juice? Swap it for apple juice or use water along with additional honey to sweeten.
How to Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Freeze: Store in small portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Ways to use BBQ Sauce
Use homemade barbecue sauce in any recipe calling for prepared BBQ sauce or get inspiration below.
- Use it with to finish your favorite grilled BBQ chicken recipe for an easy summer dinner.
- Spread homemade pizza dough with a thin layer of BBQ sauce, add shredded BBQ chicken, shredded cheese, and bake for a BBQ chicken pizza that will rival any takeout menu.
- After cooking chicken wings in the Instant Pot, toss the wings with BBQ sauce and broil until crispy.
- Toss slow cooker pulled pork or Instant Pot pulled pork, with 1-2 cups of barbecue sauce for easy shredded BBQ pork.
- Build an unforgettable cheese-stuffed BBQ chicken burgers using this sauce.
- Use as a dipping sauce for crispy breaded chicken tenders, pan-fried chicken bites, or even oven-baked french fries.
More Homemade Sauce Recipes
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Homemade BBQ Sauce Without Ketchup
Made in less than 30 minutes with pantry staples, this homemade barbecue sauce is thick, tangy, and perfectly sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup 100% pineapple juice, or apple juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey, or maple syrup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more if desired
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan and whisk until well combined.
- Bring to a gentle bubble over medium heat. As soon as small bubbles form along the edges of the pan, reduce the heat to low and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. This will take anywhere from 25-30 minutes. If the sauce thickens too quickly, add additional water or juice and reduce the heat.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
No Juice? Use water and increase the honey to ½ cup to help sweeten the BBQ sauce.
Adjust Sweetness: Double the brown sugar for sweeter BBQ sauce or swap the tomato sauce for prepared ketchup.
Adjust Heat/Smokiness: Use regular paprika in place of smoked and decrease the cayenne pepper.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
Low-Sodium: Use salt-free tomato sauce, low-sodium Worcestershire sauce, and omit the salt from the seasonings.
Nutrition
Calories: 48kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 276IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!
Am thinking of trying this soon. Have you ever cooked it in a crockpot and left the lid off to let it thicken?
I have not tried that myself. It should work, but I would recommend checking it every 15 minutes to be sure it does not thicken too much or char.
Love this homemade bbq sauce! This is my new go-to!
This is perfect timing for 'Grilling Season"!! Homemade sauces are one of my most favorite things and if it's healthy, all the better! So good
So glad you enjoyed Beth!