Homemade BBQ Sauce
So I was craving some BBQ chicken the other day.
And I decided to try my hand at making some homemade sauce. I know. It sounds so “Martha,” but really…it is super easy to whip up your own batch of sauce. Because, let’s face it, we’ve all been told that the store-bought bottle of sauce is full of who-knows-what and since I’m trying to feed my guys as best I can with less processed stuff, it was worth a try. I’m not into making EVERYTHING from scratch, but once I looked over the ingredients in this sauce, I realized I had everything on hand. So why not, right? And seriously, this sauce takes all but 10 minutes to throw together.
There are a lot of ingredients, but I’m willing to bet that you have most in your pantry as well (not pictured: pineapple juice).
The base is ketchup. I just used regular old Heinz, but of course if you want this to be an organic sauce, use the organic stuff. Or for those Marthas out there–use the stuff you canned from your garden last year! 🙂
(Obviously, shirts are not required in the making of this sauce)
This is a sweeter sauce because it has both brown sugar and pineapple juice (adds such great flavor!) in it. If you like your sauce to be on the kickier side, just add a little cayenne pepper to it when mixing the ingredients together (1/4-1/2 tsp).Â
And there’s some good ol’ ‘strap in there too (that’d be blackstrap molasses). I love adding molasses to things like this–it really does add another level of depth to the flavor. One trick I’ve learned when cooking/baking with molasses–coat your measuring cup/spoon with a little coconut oil first, then measure out your molasses.
Instead of the black sticky stuff coating your spoon, it slides right off, making clean up a cinch.
Once you have all the ingredients measured out and in a saucepan, heat everything up until combined and thickened. Pour into a container and that’s it–you have your very own homemade BBQ sauce!
So don’t go running when you hear the word “homemade,” because when it comes to this BBQ sauce, it can’t get much easier.
Really, Martha’s got nothin’ on us. Except probably a few million dollars. And several houses. And perfectly folded fitted sheets. (I do wish I had her sheet-folding abilities.)And in the words of my son, Bryce (the shirtless wonder pictured up there):
“Mom! This is the best chicken I’ve ever had!”
Why don’t you make some homemade BBQ sauce today and wow the socks off your kids? Or yourself. ‘Cause I must admit–it does sound pretty cool when you can say you made your own BBQ sauce. Only you and I know how really simple it is! (Don’t worry your secret’s safe with me 😉)
- 1 1/4 cups ketchup
- 1 cup Golden Barrel Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 TBSP Golden Barrel Blackstap Molasses
- 1/4 cup 100% pineapple juice (no sugar added)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp smoked paprika (I used regular paprika)
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Let cook for 4-5 minutes, or until thickened to desired consistency.
- Let cool, then store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks.
Do you know if a make a large batch of BBQ sauce can it be canned to give as gifts or use later? Or can it be frozen for intermediate term storage?
Thanks for you help with this.
Tom B
Hi Tom. I’ve never canned BBQ sauce myself before but from what I’ve read, people who do can it usually do it in a pressure cooker or freeze it with good results. If frozen, just pull out the day before use and you’re good to go. If you do try it, I’d love to know how it turns out! Good luck!
KH Thanks for the response. I will make it and try to test the pH. to see if pressure cooking is necessary. Will let you know what happens. My daughter as well as myself love giving homemade food gifts for birthdays and Christmas. It is special, rewarding, and economical. This would be a good addition. Also I’m anxious to try your blueberry crumb cake. That looks soooo good. Thanks for sharing your recipes. TB
I, too, love giving (and receiving!) homemade gifts. They’re very thoughtful and personal. And yes, you should try the blueberry crumb cake–that’s definitely a favorite in our house…as a matter of fact, I think I need to make it soon! Thanks for your comments and following along. Looking forward to hearing about the canning results.
KH I made a batch of your BBQ sauce. My wife is a great cook but I’m just learning and enjoying it greatly. I must say this sauce is easy for me, a novice, to make and doesn’t take much time. It is very tasty. To me it is a sweet sauce with a ketchup aftertaste. Since I like ketchup a lot I like the sauce.
I tested the sauce’s pH twice. After it cooled to room temperature the day I made it is was 4.05. After 2 days I let it get to room temperature again and it tested 3.95. This does not surprise me as the pH for ketchup, pineapple juice, and vinegar are all <4. This suggests to me that likely this could be safely canned by the water bath method which is reportedly safe if the item is less than a pH of 4.6. Disclaimer: I am not food canning expert so each person should do their own research with regards the safety of water bath canning of this sauce. However if next year I see "KH's BBQ Sauce" being sold by Golden Barrel then likely I was right. Take care. Tom B
Yes, it’s a very easy recipe–anyone can whip it together! Glad you tried it. Thanks for your testing the pH level…it’s good to know this sauce can be canned! Might have to make a bunch the next time I make it. Ha, KH’s BBQ Sauce–I like the sound of that 😉 Have a great day, Tom and thanks for your comments!