5.0 from 21 votes
Barbecue Sauce
Here’s a Barbecue Sauce recipe that’s every bit as Sweet Baby Ray’s famous sauce. It’s all natural, made by you, and only takes a few minutes.
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 16 servings (1/4 cup each)
Calories: 76 kcal
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 4 tablespoons molasses (see note 1)
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (see note 3)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- cayenne pepper (see note 2)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a non-reactive saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, molasses, liquid smoke, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
- Bring the sauce to a low boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until flavors have blended, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in vinegar, then season to taste with cayenne, salt, and pepper (I like 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper).
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Molasses: Substitute 1/4 cup dark corn syrup, honey, or maple syrup, or 3 tablespoons firmly-packed brown sugar (the flavor of the sauce will change).
- Cayenne pepper: Add to taste (I like 1/2 teaspoon) or omit entirely.
- Liquid smoke: In a pinch, substitute 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (the flavor of the sauce will change).
- Yield: This Barbecue Sauce recipe makes about 4 cups (1 quart) barbecue sauce.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cool the sauce completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers (I like to use pint jars). Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.25 cup
Calories
76kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
0.4g
(1%)
Fat
0.1g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.01g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.02g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.02g
Sodium
282mg
(12%)
Potassium
180mg
(5%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Vitamin A
164IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
0.4mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings (1/4 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 76
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.25 cup | |
| Calories | 76kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 0.4g | 1% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.02g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.02g | 0% |
| Sodium | 282mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 180mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 164IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.