Make the perfect homemade barbecue sauce with our classic barbecue sauce recipe. This easy no-cook recipe is versatile and not too spicy, not too sweet, making it a great base sauce. Enjoy it on your favorite meats, sandwiches or as a dip for nuggets.

Who doesn’t love a good barbecue sauce to take their meat to the next level? But let’s face it, store-bought sauces are often loaded with mysterious ingredients that no one can pronounce. That’s why we bring you our classic barbecue sauce recipe! This easy no-cook recipe makes a great base sauce that’s not too spicy, not too sweet, and incredibly versatile. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and only takes a few minutes. The flavors of garlic and mustard develop when reconstituted in the sauce, adding even more depth to the flavor. This sauce is perfect for basting grilled or roasted meats, or as a dip for your favorite nuggets. Trust us, once you try this homemade treat, you’ll never go back to bottled products!
versatility
One of the great things about our classic barbecue sauce recipe is its versatility. You can use it to baste grilled or roasted meats, as a dipping sauce or to add flavor to sandwiches, burgers or sliders. It is particularly suitable for pulled pork sandwiches and nuggets or as a topping for cream cheese chicken sliders.
taste development
The garlic and mustard flavors develop as they are reconstituted in the sauce. Therefore, we recommend letting the sauce sit for at least a couple of hours or overnight before using it. This allows the flavors to mix and add a richer flavor to your sauce.
liquid smoking substitutes
There are a few good substitutes for liquid smoke in homemade barbecue sauce. While liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate, there are some other ingredients you can use to add more flavor to your barbecue sauce. Here are some options:
- Smoked Peppers: Smoked paprika is made from smoked and dried peppers, giving it a smoky flavor that can be a good substitute for liquid smoke. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce are smoked and dried jalapeno peppers that have been preserved in a flavorful, smoky sauce. Adding a spoonful of the adobo sauce to your barbecue sauce can add a smoky flavor similar to liquid smoke.
- smoked salt: Smoked salt is salt that has been smoked over a wood fire, giving it a smoky flavor. Adding a small amount of smoked salt to your barbecue sauce can add a subtle smoky flavor.
Keep in mind that these substitutions may not taste exactly the same as liquid smoke, so it’s important to adjust amounts to taste and experiment with different options to find the one that works best for your recipe.

Storage Instructions
Once you’ve prepared your Classic Barbecue Sauce, it’s important to store it properly. Simply transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. When you’re ready to use it, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before using.
If you like this recipe, you might also be interested in these other delicious barbecue recipes:

Make the perfect homemade barbecue sauce with our classic barbecue sauce recipe. This easy no-cook recipe is versatile and not too spicy, not too sweet, making it a great base sauce. Enjoy it on your favorite meats, sandwiches or as a dip for nuggets.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of ketchup
- 1/4 Cup from brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon of liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoon from salt
- 2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard or 2 teaspoons wet mustard
instructions
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In a bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red chili flakes, and dry ground mustard or wet mustard.
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Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well blended.
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Place the barbecue sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 17G | Protein: 0.4G | Fat: 0.05G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.01G | Polyunsaturated fat: 0.02G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 0.01G | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 0.2G | Sugar: 14G | Vitamin A: 163ie | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg