BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (2024)

Published: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This is the best homemade bbq sauce with ketchup you’ll find! It is sweet, spicy and packed with bold, delicious flavors. Great for grilled foods!

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (1)

Original post: July 2019 | Updated: May 2021

Why This Recipe Works

When my husband started having stomach issues, I began looking more closely at the ingredient lists on store bought sauces. I couldn’t believe all of the garbage that was hiding inside!

So I started making my own, and guess what?! They taste even better than anything you can find in the grocery store.

This best homemade bbq sauce is NO exception. It. Is. DELICIOUS. I always intend to maybe save part of each batch I make, but that never happens. I slather it all over chicken, burgers, brats and what ever else gets in its path.

It has an absolute PERFECT combination of spicy, sweet and tangy flavors that I literally cannot resist. The consistency is perfect, as well, and bonus – it only takes a few minutes and a handful of ingredients to make!

Recipe Ingredients

Ketchup – The ketchup is the star of the show in this recipe, so no skimping! It provides such a bold, robust flavor and texture to this homemade sauce.

Brown sugar – The sugar gives the end result a bit of sweet tang. If you are aiming for a less sweet sauce, decrease the amount of sugar used in the recipe in half.

Apple cider vinegar – Another variety of vinegar can replace apple cider, but I think you’ll enjoy the way this vinegar enhances the flavor of the sauce.

Honey – Omit the honey for a less sweet sauce, if desired.

Paprika – Use smoked paprika in place of paprika and/or add a couple drops of liquid smoke for a smokier bbq flavor!

Cayenne pepper – This can be omitted entirely for a milder sauce. Or it can be increased for an even spicier sauce!

How To Make BBQ Sauce With Ketchup

Step 1

Place the following ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat: ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and honey. Stir until combined, then add Worcestershire sauce, paprika, ground mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Finally mix in your cayenne pepper.

Step 2

Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

Store in a air-tight containers in the fridge for up to one week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (2)

Recipe Notes

  • Consider adding 1 teaspoon of chili powder for an even bolder flavor.
  • Replace the garlic powder with onion powder, if desired.
  • A squirt or two of lemon juice adds a touch of tartness that you’ll love!
  • Slather this sauce ALL over any meat of your choice before cooking. Here are a few ideas to get you started: beef or pork ribs, pulled pork, burgers, chicken breasts or brats.
  • BBQ chicken is my favorite thing to make with this sauce. The chicken is grilled to tender perfection, with the best flavor you’ll ever imagine.
  • This bbq sauce also acts as a great dipping sauce for any meat!

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Last

If you have a bottle of homemade sauce and you are unsure about whether or not it is still fresh.. read on for tips about how long barbecue sauce stays fresh!

18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later

Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier!Homemade all the way!

FAQ About BBQ Sauce

What is bbq sauce used for?

BBQ sauce is a sauce meant to add bold flavor to food and it is used mainly with meat that is cooked on a grill. It can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce or topping for meat.

How long does homemade bbq sauce last?

One of the main benefits of making homemade bbq sauce is that you’re able to ditch the preservatives! However, when you ditch the preservatives you will also need to make sure you use the sauce up more quickly. Homemade BBQ Sauce will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or you can freeze it for up to 6 months.

Is bbq sauce keto?

BBQ sauce can contain a good amount of sugar, so seek out a low-sugar or no-sugar variety to comply with the keto diet.

Is bbq sauce vegetarian?

BBQ is a food that complies with the vegetarian diet.

Is bbq sauce bad for dogs?

If bbq sauce contains onion, garlic, excess salt or artificial sugar, it can be harmful or fatal for dogs when ingested.

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (3)

Uses for BBQ Sauce

If you have extra barbecue sauce on your hands, think outside the scope of grilled meat! Here are some other great ideas for ways to use it up:

  • Brush it over chicken wings before cooking.
  • Use it as a topping for your next batch of meatloaf!
  • Drizzle it over your next salad. YUM!
  • Throw some into your slow cooker along with meatballs.
  • Use it as a dipping sauce for French fries.
  • Replace pizza sauce with bbq sauce on your next homemade pizza!

More Delicious Homemade Sauces

  • This Enchilada Sauce comes together very quickly and is easier to make at home then to spend the time picking it up at the store and opening it to reheat. I promise you’ll love it.
  • This is one of those sauces that I won’t pick up in a jar – homemade Alfredo Sauce takes better than anything I can find in the store aisles and it’s super easy to make!
  • Arby’s Sauce is perfect for those beef sandwiches you make yourself and then want a delicious homemade sauce to go on it!
  • Sometimes an unplanned pizza night calls for Pizza Sauce on the quick! You can do that with this recipe!
  • Pasta Sauce takes pasta night up a notch with tastier sauce. Once you try it, you’ll always want it prepared this way!
  • Taco Sauce is the bomb! Perfect for nachos, tacos and dipping taquitos in, you’ll enjoy this version you create yourself.

Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (4)

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe

This is the best homemade bbq sauce with ketchup! It is sweet, spicy and packed with bold, delicious flavors. Great for grilled foods!

4.60 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 245kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

  • Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to one week. If you prefer, you can freeze this sauce for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Consider adding 1 teaspoon of chili powder for an even bolder flavor.
  • Replace the garlic powder with onion powder, if desired.
  • A squirt or two of lemon juice adds a touch of tartness that you’ll love!
  • Slather this sauce ALL over any meat of your choice before cooking. Here are a few ideas to get you started: beef or pork ribs, pulled pork, burgers, chicken breasts or brats.
  • BBQ chicken is my favorite thing to make with this sauce. The chicken is grilled to tender perfection, with the best flavor you’ll ever imagine.
  • This bbq sauce also acts as a great dipping sauce for any meat.

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 806mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 717IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (5)Margaret

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (6)
    This is REALLY tasty. I always swore that I wouldn’t leave a rating for a recipe if I didn’t make the recipe EXACTLY as written but … I have to leave a rating for this recipe even though I changed the recipe slightly because it is so yummy. I didn’t have paprika or cayenne so I omitted those spices and used about 1/8 tsp of powdered chipotle instead. Yum. I think that you could cut the sugar back a bit and still have a very tasty sauce.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (7)Megan Porta

      Thank you for sharing, Margaret – it’s appreciated! I like that you didn’t shy away because you didn’t have one and used the chipotle powder. Sounds delicious! The smokiness is perfect.

      Reply

  2. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (8)Joy

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (9)
    This is such a great recipe and came together quickly. It reminded me of the barbecue sauce I had with brisket at a popular smokehouse restaurant in Texas.

    Reply

  3. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (10)co*ki

    Hi Megan, yep, I made the recipe but I had to substitute a few ingredients that I didn’t have the originals. I used Agave syrup instead of honey, and used spicy Spanish paprika and no cayenne, also added fresh garlic and onion powder and mascabado sugar instead of brown sugar, ah and no salt. Came out just great. I think I’ll keep it that way in the future.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (11)Megan Porta

      Thanks for the substitutions that worked. I love that you just dove in and made it that way. Others will appreciate it too.

      Reply

  4. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (12)Nancy Feroe

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (13)
    This is an excellent BBQ sauce! I made a large crockpot of meatballs to take to a potluck dinner and needed a BBQ sauce. I decided to try this one since I had all of the ingredients on hand. I tripled the recipe for enough sauce to cover the meatballs and was very pleased with the result. The BBQ meatballs were a hit at the dinner and I took home an empty crockpot.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (14)Megan Porta

      It’s a win, Nancy! When all the ingredients are there and it’s enjoyed! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  5. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (15)Barb

    This was very good. I added 1/2 tsp cinnamon and about 2 taps of apple cider. I will be making it from now on! My husband loved it!!

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (16)Megan Porta

      Great suggestion on apple cider – thank you for sharing, Barb!

      Reply

  6. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (17)Char

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (18)
    Why do I need to go through an entire frikken encyclopedia of crap to get to the bloody recipe!? Give me strength.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (19)Megan Porta

      Good news! Click on the JUMP TO RECIPE button and you can skip the tips, recipe clarifications and substitutes that I take the time to share with those who need/want it. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (20)Vova Zrilic

      Who hurt you Karen?

      Reply

  7. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (21)Katy B

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (22)
    Second time making this great go to barbecue sauce. Didn’t change a thing except I used smoked paprika. This is easy and delicious and my 34yr old son told me that he no longer uses bottled sauce, we Texan’s love our barbecue. Thank you!

    Reply

  8. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (23)Lois

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (24)
    Made the sauce for pork short ribs: delicious. Next time i will add finely grated raw Vidalia onion.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (25)Megan Porta

      Thank you Lois for that tip. Sounds amazing and I definitely want to try it with the onion added now as well!

      Reply

  9. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (26)Barb

    Barb I tried your BBQ sauce & it was awesome made ribs did not have dry mustard nor Worcestershire sauce. Still hade awesome taste. Thanks for sharing 5 star

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (27)Megan Porta

      Thank you, Barb. I’m so glad you tried it out and found it to be delicious. I think of chicken all the time, but it IS a great sauce for ribs. Inspired!

      Reply

  10. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (28)Joyce R Robinson

    I made this BBQ sauce, tried it on some chicken. My husband really likes it, i did add chili powder and will tweak it a bit more!!

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (29)Megan Porta

      Hi Joyce – thanks for trying it out! I’m glad you tweaked it to the way you like, that’s what cooking is all about.

      Reply

  11. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (30)Norman Wilson

    I started with Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup: no corn syrup, little sugar. No ingredients that I did not recognize. Then I cut back on the brown sugar and used turbinado sugar instead. Added to your ingredients a good dollop of prepared spicy ginger, maple syrup not honey, and about 1/2 cup of Kroger’s jellied cranberries for a deep berry taste with a natural source of pectin to boot as an easy thickener.

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (31)Megan Porta

      Sounds great! Thank you Norman for sharing that detail.

      Reply

      • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (32)Liza

        BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (33)
        Sorry Norman, did not get your recipe. I made a tiny bit to try but my entire family hated it.

        I’m

        Reply

  12. BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (34)Joan M.

    BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (35)
    Excellent recipe. I put it over pork chops and air fried them it was deeelicious!!

    Reply

    • BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (36)Megan Porta

      Great use of the air fryer – thanks for sharing!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is ketchup used in barbecue sauce? ›

Every red barbecue sauce starts with a tomato base. In this recipe, ketchup makes a fantastic foundation. Classic barbecue sauce gets its signature sweetness from brown sugar. Acidic red wine vinegar balances out the sweet brown sugar.

What can I use if I don't have barbecue sauce? ›

Here are some alternatives:
  • **Vinegar-Based Sauce:** You can use a vinegar-based sauce, such as Eastern Carolina-style barbecue sauce. ...
  • **Mustard-Based Sauce:** Mustard-based barbecue sauce, often found in South Carolina, is a combination of mustard, vinegar, sugar, and spices. ...
  • **Tomato-Based Sauce:** If.
Jul 26, 2017

How do you make BBQ sauce more interesting? ›

For flavor chili powder is usually on the top of the list as well as garlic, onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and sometimes a sweet spice such as clove. Finally, there's liquid smoke because, well, it's barbecue.

What makes BBQ sauce taste better? ›

To make it more flavorful

Try adding some barbecue sauce mix, or any other seasonings you like. Some popular choices include mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, or brown sugar. Worcestershire sauce is also a popular additive to help with the flavor.

How does Gordon Ramsay make BBQ sauce? ›

For the BBQ sauce:
  1. 350g ketchup.
  2. 1 medium white onion diced.
  3. 70ml water.
  4. 80g soft brown sugar.
  5. 50g smoked paprika.
  6. 80g cider vinegar.
  7. 30g strong coffee (espresso is preferable)
  8. Splash of olive oil.

How to make BBQ sauce tastier? ›

Add a few glugs of Frank's RedHot or Louisiana-style Crystal. Or any other spicy condiment, really: swirl in some sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. Play with the smoky notes found in a can of adobo sauce, or the citrus flavors in Cuban mojo. Another source of smoky flavor: smoked paprika.

What is the most common ingredient in BBQ sauce? ›

The base ingredients of barbecue sauce usually include tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, and sweeteners, such as molasses or brown sugar. Other common ingredients include Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion powder, and various spices, which can include paprika, cumin, and chili powder.

What are the three types of BBQ sauce? ›

Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Spices and seasonings: A variety of spices and seasonings are added to BBQ sauce to enhance its flavor. Common spices include paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and mustard powder. These ingredients contribute to the distinct taste and aroma of the sauce.

How do you make BBQ taste without BBQ? ›

Use Smoky Spices/Seasonings

Bacon salt and smoked salts can also flavor things up. Add these spices to your food directly or to a rub, sauce, or marinade. Until warmer, brighter days appear, may you find enough indoor grilled flavor to get you through.

What to do when you run out of BBQ sauce? ›

Mix ketchup, vinegar, mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper together in a bowl until smooth.

What is the secret to good BBQ? ›

Ten Secrets to Being A Better BBQ-er
  • Clean Your Grill. We've said it before and we will say it again. ...
  • Read The Whole Recipe First. ...
  • Preheat The Grill. ...
  • Correct Tools. ...
  • Know The Difference Between Direct Heat & Indirect Heat. ...
  • Don't Crowd The Grill. ...
  • Pay Attention. ...
  • Finished Temperature Of Meat.

What is the base for most barbecue sauce? ›

A BBQ sauce has a base, some acid, aromatics, spice, and some sweetness (but not always). Base: Tomato, mustard, mayonnaise or vinegar. Acid: Usually vinegar. Aromatics: Can contain onions and/or garlic.

Is it worth it to make your own barbecue sauce? ›

Making BBQ sauce is a lot easier than many people think. It requires only a few ingredients most people have already in their homes and minimal cooking! I prefer to make most of my condiments homemade. That way you can control the taste and quality, and it's cheaper than buying store-bought versions.

Does barbeque sauce have ketchup in it? ›

The most typical type of barbecue sauce is tomato-based. The tomato in these concoctions is almost always in the form of ketchup, although there are exceptions to that. Tomato-based BBQ condiments became the most common in America during the middle 20th century.

What are the ingredients in Guy Fieri's BBQ sauce? ›

Vegetable Stock (Water, Vegetable Base (Vegetable Juice Concentrates (Carrot, Onion), Celery Puree, Salt, Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Corn Starch), Green Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Poblano Pepper, Lime Juice (From Concentrate), Canola Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar (White Grape Must, White Wine Vinegar Caramel, Sulphur Dioxide ...

What BBQ sauce does Bobby Flay use? ›

The one barbecue sauce he can't stop using is the Bone Suckin' brand, as he revealed while giving a tour of his pantry on Instagram.

How do you doctor up barbecue sauce to make it better? ›

You can spice up bbq sauce and add some texture and flavor to store-bought bbq sauce with chopped kimchi, bacon bits, sautéed onions, or jalapeños, fresh herbs, or fruit like pineapple and peaches.

What can I add to barbecue sauce to make it taste better? ›

Adding garlic or onion powder are standard flavors for barbecue, but get a little creative and try out different chile powders, peppers, cumin, or dried herbs to add body to the sauce.

Why add apple cider vinegar to barbecue sauce? ›

When it comes to barbecue sauce, ACV brings the tanginess with an added touch of sweetness. You've got apple notes, as well as that element of cider — both welcome nuances to BBQ sauce. The needed acidity for balance is there but without all the sharp edges of white vinegar.

What are the bases for BBQ sauce? ›

The 4 common types of BBQ base include tomato, vinegar, mustard, and mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce. These BBQ bases can range from sweet and spicy to tart and tangy.

What are the ingredients in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce? ›

High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Modified Corn Starch, Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Natural Smoke Flavor, Spice, Caramel Color, Molasses, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Garlic,* Mustard Flour, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Celery Seed.

What is in store bought BBQ sauce? ›

Though there are ample variations depending on region—tangy-sweet Kansas City–style, mayo-based Alabama white sauce, vinegary versions from the Carolinas—you'll find many of the same key ingredients in bottled BBQ sauces: brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, onion, chile pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.

Is BBQ sauce ketchup and brown sauce? ›

If you've grown up in the UK, barbecue sauce means pretty much one thing: deep brown, ketchupy sweet sauce. In the states however, it's a category more like 'salad dressing' and can mean anything from incredibly light, vinegar-based sauces to rich and creamy mayonnaise-based sauces.

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