When it comes to barbecue sauce, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe. Some prefer it sweet, others tangy or spicy — and the beauty of this recipe is that it can be adjusted exactly to your liking. Whether you’re a fan of bold heat or subtle sweetness, this homemade BBQ sauce serves as the perfect foundation.
This version skips hard-to-find ingredients like liquid smoke or molasses. Instead, it uses natural flavors that are both easy to source and better for your health.
Smoked paprika brings a rich, smoky depth without the additives found in liquid smoke. And while ground mustard seed offers the best texture and flavor, ready-made mustard works just as well in a pinch.
The heart of the sauce is tomato — ideally homemade ketchup, which provides just the right amount of sweetness. You can easily balance the flavor with extra sugar, vinegar, or chili to suit your preferences. The result is a thick, savory, smoky sauce that elevates everything from grilled chicken to burgers.
Ingredients (Makes approx. 500 ml)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp ground mustard seeds (or mustard to taste)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 450 g ketchup (preferably homemade)
- 120 ml water
- 50 g brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Peel and finely chop the shallot. Crush the garlic with a garlic press.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté the shallots for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and stir briefly.
3. Stir in the mustard seeds (or mustard), chili powder, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika. Cook for 1 minute to release the aromas.
4. Add the ketchup, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Let the sauce cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months — if it lasts that long!
This easy barbecue sauce recipe is perfect for brushing onto ribs, basting burgers, or using as a dipping sauce. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.