Once you try this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe, you won’t go back. Quick to make, full of flavor, and perfect for your next BBQ night.
When my husband and I tried a no-sugar diet (spoiler: I’m terrible at diets), we quickly realized all the good stuff—like BBQ sauce—was off-limits.
I found a “healthy” version online, tried it, and let’s just say… it didn’t stick.
So I started playing with the ingredients, made a few swaps, and somehow landed on this bold, flavorful homemade BBQ sauce.
It’s rich, tangy, and perfect for cooking—definitely not your average diet food.
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Total Time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients
Scroll down for the complete recipe with ingredient measurements.
This recipe makes about ¾ cup of barbeque sauce and is enough to marinate about 2 lbs of meat.
Great for chicken and ribs!
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
Skip the store-bought stuff—this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe is sweet, tangy, and takes minutes to whip up with pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Tomato Pasta
- ⅛ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
- 2 tsp Liquid Smoke
- 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 cloves Mined Garlic
- 1 tsp Truvia or other sugar substitute
- 2 tsp Minced Onion (dehydrated)
- Garlic and Herb Seasoning to taste
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Lemon (juiced)
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium-low.
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Stir occasionally until everything is nice and warm—no need to bring it to a boil. Once it’s warmed through, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 5–10 minutes.
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Pour the sauce over your chicken and let it marinate.
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Grill the chicken to your liking, then serve it hot with your favorite sides—and don’t forget to save some extra sauce for dipping!
Nutrition
Serving: 2TbspCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 7.3gProtein: 1.3gFat: 0.1gSodium: 44mgPotassium: 326mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 4.7gCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
How to Marinate Chicken
Cool the Sauce: Let the homemade barbecue sauce cool completely before using it as a marinade. Warm sauce can start to cook the meat too soon.
Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels so the sauce sticks better.
Coat Generously: Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, then pour enough BBQ sauce over it to fully coat each piece.
Marinate: Cover and and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes—2 hours is even better. If you’re short on time, even 10–15 minutes will still give it a nice flavor boost.
Grill or Bake: Remove the chicken from the marinade (shake off any excess) and cook as usual. Save some fresh sauce for basting or dipping—don’t reuse marinade that touched raw meat.
How to Store Leftovers
Once the BBQ sauce has cooled, pour it into a clean, airtight jar or container (a mason jar works great).
Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For best flavor, give it a quick stir before using. Especially if any ingredients have settled.
Can Homemade BBQ Sauce be Frozen?
Yes! Freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container or a silicone ice cube tray for up to 3 months.
Simply thaw in the fridge before using.
More Grilling Recipes
Since the Grill is still warm, here are a few more delicious recipes!
Hi, I’m Katie!
I’m so glad you’re here. Want to make something fabulous? I’m here to help!
