Fiery Herbed Barbecue Sauce
Ignite your taste buds with this vibrant and versatile Fiery Herbed Barbecue Sauce, a bold blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors enhanced by a medley of aromatic dried herbs. Crafted with everyday pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, this quick homemade sauce comes together in just 20 minutes, offering the perfect balance of heat from cayenne and red pepper flakes, and depth from Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika. The addition of dried thyme and oregano adds a fresh, earthy twist, taking classic barbecue sauce to the next level. Ideal for grilling season, use it to glaze ribs, slather on burgers, or as a dip for your favorite finger foods. Make a batch of this easy barbecue sauce to elevate any backyard cookout or weeknight dinner, and savor its rich layers of flavor tailored to your preferred heat level!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until well combined.
Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and salt to the saucepan. Mix thoroughly.
Pour in the water and stir to adjust the consistency of the sauce to your liking. Add more water if a thinner sauce is preferred.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more cayenne pepper for extra heat or more brown sugar for sweetness.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Transfer the sauce to a clean, airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Serve with grilled meats, vegetables, or as a dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
528 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2608 mg | 113% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 134.2 g | 49% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 107.1 g | ||
| Protein | 2.5 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 112 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 622 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
