This recipe takes mere minutes to make, uses just one bowl, and there is no cooking needed. Our easy BBQ sauce is sure to be a condiment you rely on and make all through grilling season —and beyond. It’s the fastest, easiest route to a homemade BBQ sauce.

The six ingredients are all pantry staples, you probably already have them in your kitchen. Ketchup is the base of the sauce, Worcestershire sauce adds umami, light brown sugar brings sweetness, vinegar brings tang, and two spices, paprika and cayenne pepper, add a smoky flavor and some heat. Simply whisk them together, then brush the sauce on meat on the grill in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, or spread it on your burger bun or sandwich for lively flavor.

The Best Ways to Use BBQ Sauce

There really are so many ways to use BBQ sauce, here are a few of our favorites:

Brush it on your favorite meats on the grill for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking
Use it to baste larger pieces of meat like pork tenderloin as it cooks
Toss pulled pork with our easy BBQ sauce
Spread it on your sandwich or burger
Use it as a dipping sauce for fries or chicken fingers or wings.

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Stay Fresh?

Your Easy BBQ Sauce will last for two weeks if you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

We think you’ll use it all up quickly, but if you happen to have sauce you know you can’t use in that time, transfer it to a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air, and label. Store the sauce flat in the freezer and use it within three months. (Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.)

Ingredients

¾ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (optional)

Directions

Ingredients for BBQ Sauce — Brie Goldman

Combine ingredients:

Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

Brie Goldman
Brush sauce on meat:

Brush on meat during the last 5 to 10 minutes of grilling or roasting.

Brie Goldman

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the base for BBQ sauce?

Most BBQ sauces have a tomato base—many start with tomato paste, some with canned tomato sauce or purée, but we use ketchup as the base for our Easy BBQ Sauce because it doesn’t require cooking.

Can I use apple cider vinegar?

Yes, many homemade BBQ sauce recipes use apple cider vinegar. If you want a bolder tart punch to your sauce, you can swap the white vinegar in our recipe for apple cider vinegar.

Can I make this recipe spicier?

There are many ways to add more heat to a BBQ sauce. The easiest way is to add a splash or two of your favorite hot sauce. Other options include adding more cayenne pepper, some chili oil, or red pepper flakes. (We wouldn’t recommend adding red pepper flakes to a smooth, uncooked sauce like our Easy BBQ Sauce, though.)