Joy of Cooking Barbecue Sauce
Transform your grilling game with this irresistible Joy of Cooking Barbecue Sauce! This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors, crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Enhanced with molasses and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for depth, it gets its signature kick from smoked paprika, garlic powder, and an optional pinch of cayenne for heat. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a thick, glossy sauce that’s perfect for slathering on ribs, brushing over grilled chicken, or dunking your favorite fries. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or craving restaurant-worthy barbecue at home, this versatile and easy-to-make sauce will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Prepared yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 0.25 cup Water
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce over medium heat.
Whisk the ingredients until fully combined and smooth.
Stir in the mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper, if using.
Add the water to thin the sauce slightly and whisk until incorporated.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat to low.
Allow the sauce to cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or cayenne for additional heat.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before using.
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
77 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 296 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.7 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.8 g | ||
| Protein | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 4% | |
| Potassium | 140 mg | 3% | |
*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.
