This is the recipe (approximately) that I use to make homemade BBQ sauce from scratch. I initially did a Google search to see if I could find a recipe somewhere out there that would make a sauce similar to Sweet Baby Ray’s, as that is our favorite (store-bought) brand of BBQ sauce.

I found a recipe on a website called Half Baked Harvest and, for the most part, followed the ingredients and quantities they had posted. However, I tweaked a few of the ingredients and added some of my own and it’s become my own creation. Of course, I didn’t reveal all my secrets. Enjoy.

This makes about 2 1/2 cupsminion_by_bibi97nd-d6k9zyj

  • 1 1/4 cups Ketchup
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Molasses
  • 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 1/2 Tsp Ground Mustard
  • 2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup

For an extra kick add 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper and/or increase the Black Pepper to 1 tsp.

Directions

This is pretty easy. Mix everything together in a large pot and bring it to a boil, then reduce your heat to a simmer until all the dry ingredients have fully dissolved which should take about 5 minutes. Create a water and cornstarch slurry to thicken (1 Tbsp cornstarch and 1 Tbsp of water).

You can use it immediately or let it cool and store it in the fridge. I keep mine in a mason jar because it should last longer with a better seal. The last time I made this we could still use it after a month, then we ran out so I’m not sure how long it keeps.