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.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 8

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

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce over medium heat.

Step 2

Whisk the ingredients until fully combined and smooth.

Step 3

Stir in the mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper, if using.

Step 4

Add the water to thin the sauce slightly and whisk until incorporated.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat to low.

Step 6

Allow the sauce to cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or cayenne for additional heat.

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before using.

Step 9

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	481.4 grams (481.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	535

Total Fat 1.40g	2%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2578mg	112%
Total Carbohydrate 134.00g	49%
Dietary Fiber 3.30g	12%
Total Sugars 110.00g
Protein 2.20g	4%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 173mg	13%
Iron 5mg	28%
Potassium 991mg	21%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.3%

Protein: 1.6%

Carbs: 96.2%