If I knew making this homemade sweet and smoky BBQ sauce was so easy, I would have started making it years ago. Just as the name says, it’s sweet and smoky and perfectly sticky on ribs, chicken, pulled pork, or as a sauce on a BBQ chicken pizza!
If making homemade condiments is your jam, then check out these other recipes: homemade 2-minute fail-proof mayonnaise, restaurant-style buttermilk ranch dressing, fermented hot sauce, red pepper jelly, and garlic-infused olive oil.
This post was originally published in 2013, but has since been updated with more tips and ingredient substitutions. The recipe is still just as delicious!
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Quick Look at This Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce
- 🕒 Ready In: ~70 minutes
- 👪 Yield: 4 cups
- 🍽 Calories: 22 calories (for 1 Tablespoon)
- 🥄 Tools: A pot, spatula and measuring utensils
- ❄️ Freezer Friendly: Yes – I like to freeze in straight-sided Mason jars (leave about an inch headspace to allow for expansion)
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian, gluten-free (check your Worcestershire sauce to be sure!), less sugar than store-bought and can be made with sugar alternatives
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: Delicious, lower in sugar than store-bought options, an easy, dump-and-go recipe, stores well in the refrigerator or freezer and makes a great gift!
- 👩🍳 Tip: For a sugar-free option, use Swerve Brown. For quick defrosting, freeze flat in a freezer bag. When ready to use, place in a bowl of warm water.
This recipe was given to me by my neighbor, who, in my opinion, makes one of the best barbecue sauces around. After making her original recipe multiple times, I tweaked it slightly to be a tad sweeter with a hint of smokiness (both of which my family loves in a BBQ sauce).
What Makes This Recipe Unique?
- From-Scratch (or not!) – While I love to be as from-scratch as possible, I am a modern pioneer girl who loves her shortcuts. Starting with ketchup in this recipe is totally acceptable! I recommend getting one that has zero added sugar, since we’re adding more to the recipe. If you’re not a fan of ketchup, use a jar of home-canned tomato sauce instead.
- Sweet & Smoky (+Spicy) – As the name implies, this BBQ sauce has the perfect balance of both sweetness and smokiness. Test out the recipe as is, then, if your family prefers more or less sweetness or smokiness, it’s completely adaptable! For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper to taste!
- Sugar-Free Option – With years of living a ketogenic lifestyle under my belt, I’ve gotten really good at adapting recipes to fit my dietary needs. If you’re looking for a good sugar-free options, swap the brown sugar with Swerve Brown.
- Batch Cooking for the Win! – I love that I can easily double this recipe and make enough BBQ sauce to store in the freezer. It’s so easy to pull out a frozen pizza crust (directions for freezing pizza crust can be found in my chicken alfredo pizza recipe here), this homemade BBQ sauce and a jar of home-canned chicken to have BBQ chicken pizza on the table in under 30 minutes.
⭐ Featured Reader Review
Carol H. says: “Thank you, I have also found several Ketchups without corn syrup and one barbecue sauce (which is no longer available). We have a corn allergy in the family. Thanks for the sub for Worcestershire sauce (and soy), we also have a seafood allergy.“
Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, check out the recipe card below.
- Ketchup – As mentioned above, I like to use an organic ketchup with lower-sugar (like Portlandia Ketchup found at Azure Standard), but if you’re not keen on using store-bought ketchup, you can substitute two cups of tomato sauce, or even two small cans of tomato paste (with enough water added to equate two cups). (For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more using coupon code “Melissa15” at checkout.
- Brown Sugar – Start with the full cup (or substitute one cup Swerve Brown for a sugar-free option).
- Sweetener – The original recipe calls for 1 cup of granulated sugar. However, I’m showing how to subtitute this with 3/4 cup honey (or maple syrup). Keep in mind that granulated sugar will cream together with your butter and eggs better than honey, but the end result will both be delicious.
- Worcestershire – Check the label if you need to stay gluten-free! Some brands of Worcestershire may use barley, but there are many brands that don’t! I love Portlandia Worcestershire. Soy sauce is a great alternative if you can’t do fish.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, you can add one cup of granulated sugar and one Tablespoon of molasses. (Check out this post with 37 ingredient substitutions everyone should know.)
How to Make Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan and stir to combine.
Step 2: Over medium heat, slowly bring the sauce to a boil.
Step 3: Stir and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for one hour until it has thickened and turned a nice dark red.
Step 4: Use immediately, or transfer to a glass Mason jar and store in the refrigerator up to two weeks. (See freezing instructions below.)
Storing & Freezing Tips
To Freeze: Allow BBQ sauce to cool completely. Transfer to a freezer-safe container (such as a straight-sided Mason jar with one inch of headspace or a freezer-safe ziptop bag).
Can You Can This Recipe?
I’ve had a lot of questions over the years on whether or not this recipe is safe to can. Because it doesn’t contain enough acid, it’s not safe to can. This is why I make smaller batches and freeze the leftovers.
Harvest to Table Magazine
This recipe for healthy sweet and smoky barbecue sauce will be featured in the September 2025 edition of Harvest to Table Magazine.
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Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐ rating and your comments in the recipe card below. Then, snap a photo of your BBQ sauce and tag me on social media @melissaknorris so I can see how you used it!
From-Scratch Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Spatula or Whisk
- quart-sized Mason jar for storing
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup You can use tomato paste and dilute it with water, or boil down stewed tomatoes.
- 1 cup brown sugar or Swerve Brown
- 1 medium onion Finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced (we use our own homegrown garlic)
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar For a tangier sauce, increase to 4 Tablespoons
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Or soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Step 1: Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan and stir to combine.
- Step 2: Over medium heat, slowly bring the sauce to a boil.
- Step 3: Stir and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for one hour until it has thickened and turned a nice dark red.
- Step 4: Use immediately, or transfer to a glass Mason jar and store in the refrigerator up to two weeks. (See freezing instructions below.)
I’ve always struggled to find a BBQ sauce recipe that the WHOLE family loves. This one is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet (not too much of each) and everyone loves it – even the 5-year-old!
Hi Melissa:
I’m wondering if the BBQ sauce can be “pressured canned” or if the only preserving method is freezing? I’ve been looking for a good BBQ sauce that I could make and give as Father’s Day gifts for family & friends.
Thanks, Sandra
Is this recipe safe to can? It seems pretty similar to the recipe in the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. Was also thinking of replacing the liquid smoke with smoked paprika.
Thank you, i have also found several Ketchups without corn syrup and one barbecue sauce (which is no longer available)we have a corn allergy in the family. Thanks for the sub for Worcestershire sauce and soy also have a seafood allergy.
Melissa,
Thank you so much for your book, Pinterest page, FB, and extras! I am so excited to have found you, and while I enjoyed your book VERY much, I found myself weeping through it as it reminded me so much of my mom who passed last March. She was into EVERYTHING and would have just loved you and your ideas. I am looking forward to traveling this road with you, and trying all these newer, healthier versions of sauces, recipes, etc. I love homemade salsa, and jellies! Our favorite is Watermelon Jelly (tastes just like Jolly Ranchers) and Jalepeno jelly.
In Christ,
Amy
Amy,
I’m so happy to have found you, too! I’m so sorry for your Mom’s passing and your loss.
This looks amazing- I can almost smell it! Our favorite is homemade salsa!!!
Becky, I’m a homemade salsa girl, too. I like to scramble it in with my eggs in the morning.