This super flavorful, super easy homemade bbq sauce, made without ketchup is spicy, tangy, and sweet and can be made in one saucepan in just 30 minutes!
Even though I live in Kansas City, I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to barbecue I am clueless. Around here, people are serious about their barbecue and have very strong opinions about what they like.
If you have strong opinions about barbecue, you might be offended by this recipe for homemade barbecue sauce because it breaks all of the rules!
Styles of BBQ
Generally speaking, there are four styles of barbecue.
- Kansas City
- Memphis
- Carolina
- Texas.
flavor profiles for bbq sauce
Each style of bbq has a different base for their sauce.
- Kansas City style is a sweet tomato based sauce, that usually has some molasses, and sometimes a little spice
- Memphis style sauce is tomato and vinegar based sauce
- Carolina style sauce is vinegar based in the east, tomato based in the west, and mustard based in the south
- Texas style is a tangy tomato based sauce with some heat and some sweetness.
The bases for the sauces are vinegar, tomato, and mustard and they can be spicy, tangy, or sweet.
Breaking the rules
Because I like vinegar, tomato, and mustard, and I like spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors, I decided to make a sauce that includes all of those flavors. This bbq sauce hits every one of those flavor profiles…and maybe a few others.
The secret Ingredient
This sauce wouldn’t be the same without tamarind paste. Tamarind paste adds a sweet and sour flavor that gives the sauce it’s tang, which is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the honey and the molasses.
How to make homemade BBQ sauce
To a saucepan, add 8 ounces tomato sauce, 2 Tbsp tomato paste, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 3 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp molasses, 1 tsp liquid smoke, 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp tamarind paste, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Over medium high heat, whisk everything together and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
How to use homemade bbq sauce
This sauce is great for ribs, for pulled pork, for chicken, it’s even makes a great pizza sauce!
How long will homemade bbq sauce last
Allow the sauce to cool and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Although my research did not make a barbecue expert out of me, I did come up with a great tasting homemade barbecue sauce recipe! Invite your friends or family over for a cookout this weekend and impress them with your super flavorful homemade barbecue sauce!
If you like Homemade BBQ Sauce, you might also like: Elevated Condiments
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Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire
- 1 Tbsp tamarind paste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a sauce pan, whisk all ingredients together. Over medium high heat bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Yields 1 Cup Homemade BBQ Sauce
5 Responses
Tamarind is an interesting choice. Worcestershire actually has Tamarind in it and tamarind is one of the distinctive flavors in A1 sauce. Honey also always adds a mellow sweetness to barbecue sauce.
I love the combination of sweet, sour, and tart that tamarind brings to the mix.
I made this and it was fantastic!
I am so intrigued by the tamarind paste in this sauce. I hate to say it but I have never used that paste but it sounds lovely. All of the ingredients in this sauce is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to try it. It just may become my new favorite BBQ sauce.
The tamarind paste, not to be confused with tamarind sauce, is what makes the sauce special. I hope you like it!