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Flavorful Grandpa’s Secret BBQ Sauce Recipe Easy Perfect for Ribs & Pulled Pork

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A quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce with a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors, ideal for ribs, pulled pork, and grilled meats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup (70 g) packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) molasses
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and molasses. Whisk over medium heat until smooth and gently bubbling, about 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk to blend evenly.
  3. Add black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and water. Stir well to combine.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking and help flavors meld. Sauce should thicken and coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning: add more vinegar if too sweet, or more brown sugar if too tangy.
  6. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a clean jar or airtight container and refrigerate. Keeps up to two weeks.

Notes

If sauce is too thick after cooling, stir in a teaspoon or two of water before using. Letting the sauce rest overnight in the fridge deepens the flavors. For a smoky depth without a smoker, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Adjust sweetness and acidity to taste. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free option. Variations include adding chipotle powder for heat, substituting honey for brown sugar and molasses for a lighter sweetness, or using maple syrup and vegan Worcestershire sauce for a vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ sauce, barbecue sauce, ribs sauce, pulled pork sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, smoky BBQ sauce, sweet and tangy sauce

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/flavorful-grandpas-secret-bbq-sauce-recipe-easy-perfect-for-ribs-and-pulled-pork/