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A jar of homemade honey BBQ sauce with a spoon lifting a drizzle to highlight its thick, sticky texture. Surrounded by fresh ingredients like honey, garlic, and smoked paprika, the setting has a cozy, rustic feel.

Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce

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Elevate your meals with this easy Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce recipe. Perfect for grilling, dipping, or glazing—sweet, smoky, and utterly delicious! 🍖🍴

  • Total Time: 20 minutes + cooling time
  • Yield: About 1 ½ cups (12 servings) 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ÂĽ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ÂĽ tsp black pepper
  • ÂĽ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 2 tbsp water (to adjust consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Ingredients: Measure out all ingredients and gather your tools—a small saucepan, whisk, and jar for storage.
  2. Cooking the Sauce: Combine ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the mixture thickens slightly (about 5–7 minutes). Add water if needed to reach desired consistency.
  3. Tasting and Adjusting: Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness, tanginess, or spiciness by adding more honey, vinegar, or cayenne pepper as desired. Simmer for an additional minute after adjustments.
  4. Storing the Sauce: Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake well before using, as natural separation may occur.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • Vegan alternative: Skip Worcestershire sauce or use a vegan version.
  • Storage tip: While freezing isn’t recommended due to texture changes, the sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
  • Author: Serena Miller
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Condiment/Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (1/12th of the recipe)
  • Calories: 30 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg