Memphis Magic Barbecue Sauce

Turn up the flavor on your next cookout with this irresistible Memphis Magic Barbecue Sauce! Crafted with just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, this homemade sauce combines pantry favorites like tomato ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar with the rich depth of molasses and a fiery kick of cayenne pepper. The addition of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce delivers that signature Memphis-style boldness, making it perfect for slathering over ribs, chicken, or pulled pork. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this customizable recipe allows you to tweak the sweetness, tang, or spice to suit your taste. Whether you're grilling, marinating, or dipping, this versatile sauce will become your go-to for all things barbecue. Best of all, it's easy to store in the refrigerator, staying fresh and ready to elevate your backyard feasts for up to two weeks!

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup Tomato ketchup
• 0.333 cup Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and molasses.

Step 2

Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well combined, about 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper to the saucepan. Stir well to incorporate the spices.

Step 4

Pour in the water while stirring to adjust the consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of water.

Step 5

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. Allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as desired. If you like it sweeter, add a touch more brown sugar; for more tang, add a splash of vinegar.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. It will thicken slightly as it cools.

Step 8

Transfer the sauce to a clean jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Step 9

Brush the sauce over grilled meats, use it as a marinade, or serve it as a condiment on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	486.3 grams (486.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	643

Total Fat 0.90g	1%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3797mg	165%
Total Carbohydrate 158.80g	58%
Dietary Fiber 2.10g	8%
Total Sugars 135.60g
Protein 1.60g	3%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 178mg	14%
Iron 4mg	24%
Potassium 967mg	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: 1.2%

Protein: 1.0%

Carbs: 97.8%