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4.7 from 378 votes

The Best Barbecue Sauce

Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 28 1/4 cup Servings (About 7 cups)
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup unsulphured molasses
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter cut into small pieces
  • 4 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ to ½ to ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ to 1 to 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together all the wet ingredients and then add the seasonings.
  2. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
  3. Once cooled, the sauce can be frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as needed.

Notes

  • Spices: I've found over the years that I like to reduce the celery seed to 1/4 teaspoon (I've left the amount as the original 1/2 teaspoon) and also decrease the coarse, ground black pepper to 1/2 teaspoon since it packs a little heat. The spices and flavorings in this recipe are adaptable like that! Try using smoked paprika in place of regular paprika for extra deliciousness!
  • Freezable: This BBQ sauce freezes great!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 88kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 2mg (1%) Sodium 345mg (14%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 19g (38%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 281/4 cup Servings (About 7 cups)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 88kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 345mg 14%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 19g 38%

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