How to Make BBQ Sauce

How to make bbq sauce. This homemade bbq sauce is so good you will never want to buy bottled BBQ sauce again! It does use a lot of ingredients but the final result is a fantastic, thick and sweet sauce that will make your meals shine.

You can use this on the grill, of course, but you can also use it to cook your favorite meats in the oven. I use it for oven baked chicken drumsticks, chicken wings, baby back ribs and beef ribs.

Here is what you need for this wonderful homemade bbq sauce:

Makes about 4 cups of sauce
½ cup apple juice
½ cup cider vinegar
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons mustard
½ cup molasses
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 cups ketchup
2 teaspoons garlic powder
Salt & pepper

• Place all ingredients except for ketchup, salt and pepper in a heavy pan. Whisk until well blended. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the ketchup and mix well. Season with salt & pepper. Bring to a soft simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and turns dark – like bottled sauce. This will take between 30 to 40 minutes.
• If preserving for gifts, heat jars per instructions and fill with sauce. If not, cool down completely and refrigerate for up to 2 months.
• Enjoy!

Print the Barbecue Sauce with Apple Juice Recipe Here

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36 Comments

  • While searching through YouTube, for grilling/smoking tips, I came across a few of your videos. I was very impressed at how well they were put together and the great recipes and tips you provided. I just had to visit your site (thefrugalchef.com), and it impressed me even more. I want to let you know that this service is greatly appreciated and I thank you for your knowledge and expertise in the field of cooking. Respectfully, JEC

  • Thank you so much for the email! I am truly grateful and happy that my work is of value. I hope you have an amazing week! Take care!
    Mary Ann

  • Thanks for the recipe, I’m going to make this BBQ sauce tonight for my pork ribs tomorrow as its my husband’s birthday dinner. I’m sure they’ll turn out great! Sound delicious! Going to subscribe now.

  • Hi Laci!
    Thank you so much for coming by! I am happy you will give this a try. I think you will love it. Happy birthday to your hubby. Take care!
    Mary Ann

  • Hi Mary Ann,

    I am always on the lookout for a great barbecue sauce and your recipe (came across it while searching for quick and tasty barbecue chicken drumstick ideas) looks irresistable. Thanks so much for sharing this–your video is positively mouthwatering!

  • Thank you Lorraine! This is a really good recipe. I hope you give it a try! Have a wonderful week!

  • Hi Melody!
    Any ketchup will do for this so use whatever you have at hand. Thanks for coming by!
    Mary Ann

  • The best bbq sauce recipe ever! I substituted honey for molasses and apple cider for apple juice and everyone loved it!! I used originally for a drumstick meal but today I am making a batch to try on our smoked pulled pork! Thank you for providing this recipe!

  • Hi Christine!
    I am so happy this sauce worked for you! It is by far one of my favorites! Thank you so much for letting me know. Happy New Year!
    Mary Ann

  • Hi Marry Ann, I just saw your video for making the BBQ sauce and in it you said it would last 2 weeks in the fridge but on your recipe it says up to 2 months. Which one is right? Thanks!!!!

    Rose

  • Hi Rose!
    This will easily last for 2 months in the fridge. Thanks for stopping by!
    Mary Ann

  • Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in web explorer, might check this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a large element of other people will leave out your excellent writing because of this problem.

  • Mary Ann,

    I enjoy your videos and website very much. I have a suggestion. The written recipe ingredient list is different from the video. I would suggest making the following changes to the written ingredient list:

    6 tablespoons brown sugar (instead of granulated)
    2 tablespoons dry mustard
    (instead of just mustard, some folks assume prepared)

    Thanks!!

  • I just found your site and videos and I love what I see so far! Thank you for these great recipes!

    Eileen

  • Is there anything you can substitute the worshteshire sauce with? It contains a fish, i beleive sardines that my wife is allergic to. Thanks.

  • I want to say I tried your recipe and my husband LOVED it! I wasn’t sure at first because he is so honest about my cooking and I thought he just didn’t want to hurt my feelings because I was pregnant but, when he began to use the sauce on everything he ate I was ecstatic. He even decided to turn down turkey for Thanksgiving and insisted that I make more sauce and ribs instead. So I am up tonight preparing our Thanksgiving dinner and thought it only fitting to say thank you. I am even jarring the sauce this time to send to some friends as gifts with your website attached because I love it so much. No more Kraft for us. Thanks!

  • Hi Angela!
    I am so, so happy this sauce worked for you! Thank you so much for letting me know! I love this and make it all the time. Your friends will be super happy with their gifts but, most importantly, I am stoked that your husband loved it so much! Happy Thanksgiving! Take care of yourself and the baby!
    Mary Ann

  • I’m looking for a recipe for barbecue sauce with apple juice. It will be used on pork spare ribs. Is this sauce thick?

  • Hello,
    I’m getting ready to make some of this but I don’t have apple juice what can I do? Thanks!

  • Hi Jessica!
    The apple juice is a pretty important ingredient in this sauce. Having said that, I guess you could go ahead and substitute it for water. That should be OK. Thanks for stopping by!
    Mary Ann

  • Mary Ann this BBQ sauce has been a part of our summers for a few years now!!! It is by far the best home maid sauce out there!!!! Works well with prepared mustard or dry. Brown sugar or granulated. I do 1/2 brown 1/2 granulated. Thanks for posting it on your site!!!

  • Hi Michele!
    Thank you so much for the message! I am very happy you like this sauce. I love it as well. I always have some in my fridge. I really appreciate you stopping by. Have a great week!
    Mary Ann

  • Hi Mary Ann,
    I will be making this sauce this week end. I love all the ingredients. What are you guys doing in Vanuatu. I used to work on Efate island. Great place, lovely people!!!!
    Cheers,
    Jan.

  • Hi Jan!
    My husband is in charge of power in Santo. I love Efate and go there whenever I have a chance. I agree with you. People are great in Vanuatu.
    I hope this sauce comes out perfect for you! Welove it. Thank you for stopping by.
    Mary Ann

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