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Homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
5 from 12 votes

Homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

Homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce offers a thick, sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor profile using classic ingredients like ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. The sauce is enhanced with spices including smoked paprika, ancho chile powder, and garlic, then simmered to meld the flavors for a balanced and rich condiment ideal for barbecue dishes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 49 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/3 cup molasses not blackstrap
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder dry
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • chipotle Tabasco sauce couple dashes
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke or to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, stir together all of the ingredients except liquid smoke.
  2. Bring to boil over medium-low heat, whisking regularly.
  3. Once at a boil, reduce heat to low, and let simmer 30 minutes, stirring regularly. 
  4. Stir in liquid smoke to taste.
  5. Let cool to room temperature.
  6. Transfer to a container, and store, covered, in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Notes

  • Use plain tomato ketchup; avoid flavored varieties for consistent results.
  • Mild or robust molasses works best; blackstrap molasses is too bitter for this sauce.
  • Dark brown sugar contributes richness; light brown sugar plus extra molasses can substitute if needed.
  • Ancho chile powder adds mild smokiness and depth without strong heat.
  • Store the sauce refrigerated in a covered container for up to 1 month.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 49kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Sodium 234mg (10%) Potassium 139mg (3%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 135IU (3%) Vitamin C 0.8mg (1%) Calcium 15mg (2%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 49

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 49kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Sodium 234mg 10%
Potassium 139mg 3%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 135IU 3%
Vitamin C 0.8mg 1%
Calcium 15mg 2%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.