For as long as I can remember, BBQ has been a part of my life-from backyard cookouts to family gatherings filled with slow-smoked meats brushed with sauce. And while I've tried plenty of store-bought versions, nothing beats this homemade Texas BBQ sauce recipe. It's the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy with just the right kick of heat.
Easily make homemade BBQ sauce with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar along with a few other pantry staples. Skip the store-bought stuff and whip up your own in just 10 minutes!
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About Texas BBQ Sauce
Texas-style BBQ sauce is designed to complement, not overpower, the rich, slow-smoked meats the Lone Star State is famous for. The balance of tangy vinegar, smoky chili powder, and savory spices makes it unique, setting it apart from sweeter, thicker molasses BBQ sauces found in Kansas City or the mustard-based sauces of South Carolina.
- Homemade is best! In my opinion, homemade sauces are superior because they contain no preservatives, artificial flavors, or unknown ingredients.
- Versatile. While it's a delicious dipping sauce for grilled and smoked meats, don't stop there! I also use this recipe when making my BBQ chicken flatbread.
- Quick and easy. Whip up the best Texas BBQ sauce that delivers authentic taste with simple pantry ingredients and only 10 minutes of cooking time.
Whether you're slathering it over a brisket in the oven, ribs, pulled pork, or even brisket nachos this recipe is guaranteed to take your barbecue to the next level.
Ingredients
- Making BBQ sauce with ketchup is my secret shortcut.
- Brown sugar balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy kick.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a slightly tangy and savory complexity.
- A seasoning blend with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper provide subtle heat and savory flavor.
I put this Texas-style barbecue sauce on everything! I especially love to drizzle it over my BBQ brisket tacos and baked potato with brisket.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and stir to combine.
Step 2: Bring the sauce to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer. Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from burning.
Expert Tips
Adjust sweetness and spice by adding more brown sugar for a sweeter sauce or extra cayenne for a spicier kick. For a more tangy flavor, add an extra tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
The flavors meld and intensify over time, so make this sauce an hour or two before you plan to serve it.
I like to use this sauce as a marinade for my air fryer chicken thighs or beef before grilling, especially in the summer!
Storage
Allow the sauce to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. When I make homemade sauces, I always label the container with the date that I made it to keep track of freshness.
Can I freeze BBQ sauce?
Yes! BBQ sauce freezes well, and it's a great way to make a big batch last longer. Let the sauce cool before adding it to a freezer safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it up on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well before using.
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If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
The Best Texas BBQ Sauce
Save this Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan, stir to combine, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season, as needed.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 1 ½ cups of sauce.
- Want a sweeter sauce? Add extra brown sugar. Need more heat? A little more cayenne will do the trick. For a tangier kick, stir in an extra tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
- The flavors deepen as the sauce sits, so for the best taste, make it at least an hour ahead of time. Better yet, prepare it a day in advance and let the magic happen in the fridge!
- Store the cooled BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, and don't forget to label it with the date for freshness. To make it last even longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before using.
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