Best Ever Homemade BBQ Sauce with Ketchup

You'll love how easy it is to make your own homemade BBQ sauce with ketchup. This version has a tangy flavor with a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar. This barbecue sauce whips up in just 10 minutes and will be used over and over all summer long. 

Use it to make my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs.

Picture this - a sizzling grill, the tantalizing aroma of perfectly charred meats, and the symphony of laughter and clinking glasses from a backyard cookout.

But what's a BBQ gathering without that quintessential, lip-smacking BBQ sauce? Fear not, for we have your back with a recipe that will have you slathering your creations in the most irresistible, homemade elixir.

Now, some might say, "Ketchup? Really?" Oh yes, dear friends, ketchup is the magic ingredient that will elevate your BBQ sauce to the pinnacle of tangy, sweet, and smoky goodness.

Its familiar and comforting taste will anchor your sauce while providing a hint of nostalgia in every mouthwatering bite. It's like bottling up childhood memories and pouring it over your grilled creations!

But wait, there's more! Our homemade BBQ sauce adventure doesn't stop at ketchup. We'll balance the tanginess with a touch of brown sugar, lend a smoky kiss with paprika, and add a hint of heat with a dash of cayenne pepper.

This sauce will dance on your taste buds, leaving you craving for more.

Whether you're a grill master or a kitchen explorer, this recipe will become your secret weapon, your go-to companion for every backyard gathering or quiet night in.

Why you'll love it

Familiar and Balanced Flavors - combines the familiar tangy and slightly sweet taste of ketchup with the smoky, savory flavors of a traditional BBQ sauce. These simple ingredients combine to create a well-balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.

Versatile and Easy to Use - Ketchup-based BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in various recipes and dishes. Whether you're grilling meats, marinating vegetables, or glazing your favorite appetizers, the convenience and simplicity of using an easy recipe like this will make it a go-to condiment for any barbecue lover.

Uses common ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store - Ketchup is a universally loved condiment, often found at cookouts and barbecues. By incorporating ketchup into a BBQ sauce, you ensure that your sauce will have broad appeal and be well-received even by picky eaters.

Try my 3 Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce next.

Ingredients

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe and printable recipe card.

• Ketchup - whichever brand you prefer, but I am partial to Heinz
• Prepared yellow mustard - the stuff you put on hot dogs! Dijon mustard is also a great way to add flavor or you can use a spicy brown mustard.
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Balsamic vinegar - most vinegars, such as apple cider vinegar, can be substituted.
• Brown sugar - substitute honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, corn syrup, or white sugar. Artificial sweetener can also be used if you want less sugar.
• Paprika - smoked or sweet (Hungarian paprika)
• Garlic powder 
• Onion powder
• Salt and black pepper

For a spicy bbq sauce add: 

• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• A couple shakes of hot sauce such as Tabasco sauce
• A teaspoon of chili powder will not add heat, but will add smoky flavor.

For a sweeter sauce, I suggest using white sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or regular corn syrup. These sweeteners are sweeter that brown sugar so you can use less to get a sweeter tasting sauce. 

Equipment

• Sauce pan
• Whisk
• Mason jar

Instructions

STEP ONE: Add all ingredient to a medium saucepan and whisk them until well combined.

STEP TWO: Simmer sauce for 10 minutes over medium heat. Stir as needed to keep the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Turn to medium-low heat if it starts to burn.

STEP THREE: Adjust spice and sweetness level to your personal preferences.

Kitchen tips

Since we're making a ketchup base, be sure to use a good-quality one as the foundation. This will provide a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that forms the backbone of the sauce.

To add some smoky depth, add ingredients like liquid smoke, smoked paprika, or chipotle powder. These additions will help replicate the rich smoky taste typically associated with traditional BBQ sauces.

Ketchup is already slightly sweet, but you can enhance or adjust the sweetness to your liking. Add ingredients like brown sugar, molasses, honey, or maple syrup in small increments, tasting as you go, until you achieve the desired level of sweetness.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer for longer until it reaches your desired thickness. Conversely, if you want a thinner consistency, you can add a bit of water or broth to thin it out.

How to store

Once the BBQ sauce has cooked and reached your desired flavor and consistency, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store it in the refrigerator, and it should stay fresh for up to a couple of weeks.

FAQ

How to serve

• As a dipping sauce with my Air Fryer Steak Fries or my Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken
• As a spread for Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
• Added to my Crockpot Lil Smokies appetizer

📖 Recipe