BBQ Sauce With Ketchup Recipe (2024)

Published: May 6, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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!

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.

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.

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!