This Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe with Ketchup is a constant around here. My guy is borderline obsessed, and I think it’s pretty darn tasty too.

This bbq sauce starts with store-bought ketchup (I have yet to tackle the homemade version of that), but I figure that when I choose a ketchup with natural ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup, I’m starting off with an advantage.

A jar of homemade barbecue sauce with a spoon.

Tangy, just a little tingly, a tiny bit spicy, and so, so easy to make, our go-to homemade barbecue sauce comes together in less than 20 minutes – and most of that is just simmering time.

How Do You Make Homemade BBQ Sauce?

It’s so easy. Just …

  1. Grab a saucepan
  2. Add the ingredients: Ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
  3. Simmer until perfect

That’s it!

Homemade bbq sauce on a spoon.

We’ve been making this Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe with Ketchup for years (decades?!), and now that barbecue season is heating up (get it? heating up?! sorry), we can’t wait to break it out to brush on and mix into all sorts of good things.

More Homemade Sauces & Dressings to Try

If you try and love this recipe for homemade BBQ sauce, please leave a review! Even if you don’t absolutely love it, I welcome any and all feedback and I share all legit reviews. I test my recipes multiple times in my home kitchen, but I really appreciate knowing how they’re working for others; your reviews help me make tweaks until my recipes are just right! And they’re so valuable for other readers, too. Thank you! ❤️

Our very favorite homemade barbecue sauce (it's so easy!) | Kitchen Treaty
4.85 from 13 votes

Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe with Ketchup (Our Fave!)

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 10
Super easy, nice and tangy, and with just the slightest touch of heat, this has been our go-to homemade barbecue sauce for years. Got 20 minutes? Make some!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce*
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce**
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
  • 2 medium cloves garlic (minced) (about 2 teaspoons)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place in an airtight container. Keeps refrigerated for up to one week.

Video

Notes

*Gluten-free option

Use a gluten-free soy sauce, such as Tamari.

**Vegetarian/vegan option

Sub vegan or vegetarian Worchestershire sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 74kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 671mg, Potassium: 191mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 254IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg
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