Name: Classic BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup ketchup; ⅛ cup apple cider vinegar; ⅛ cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; ½ tablespoon dijon mustard; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp salt ((up to ½ tsp if needed)); ¼ tsp pepper

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Spice up your grilling game with this classic BBQ sauce recipe! Easy to make, homemade, and incredibly versatile—perfect for ribs, chicken, burgers, and more. A must-have staple for every barbecue lover!

A spoon dipped into a pot of classic barbecue sauce

Makes: about 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

ketchup
apple cider vinegar
light brown sugar
Worcestershire sauce
dijon mustard
garlic powder
smoked paprika
salt
pepper

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk or stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed.

A person pouring vinegar over a pan of ketchup and brown sugar

A pan with a ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and seasoning on top of a table

Step 2: Cook over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Use immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator.

Classic Barbecue sauce in a saucepan on a table with a spoon

Tips:

Make sure to let the Classic BBQ Sauce cook for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors thoroughly combine.
For a smokier flavor, add a full tsp of smoked paprika.
Prefer sweeter? Use up to a 1/4 cup of brown sugar or add a bit of honey.

Classic BBQ Sauce

Spice up your grilling game with this classic BBQ sauce recipe! Easy to make, homemade, and incredibly versatile!

Beth

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings cup

Ingredients

¾ cup ketchup
⅛ cup apple cider vinegar
⅛ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ tablespoon dijon mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp salt (up to ½ tsp if needed)
¼ tsp pepper

Instructions

Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk or stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed.
Cook over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Use immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Make sure to let the sauce cook for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors thoroughly combine.
For a smokier flavor, add a full tsp of smoked paprika.
Prefer sweeter? Use up to a 1/4 cup of brown sugar or add a bit of honey.
Nutritional Information is for about 1 cup of sauce.

Disclaimer: All nutrition values are per serving and approximate. They will vary depending on products and quantities used.