Tangy Barbecue Sauce

Get ready to elevate your grilling game with this homemade tangy barbecue sauce! Bursting with bold, rich flavors, this easy-to-make sauce combines the sweetness of honey and brown sugar with the sharp zest of apple cider vinegar and a smoky kick from paprika and cayenne pepper. With just 20 minutes from start to finish, this versatile recipe is perfect as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for ribs, chicken, or even crispy fries. Its balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors makes it a crowd-pleasing addition to any backyard barbecue or weeknight dinner. Whip up a batch, store it in your fridge, and enjoy this vibrant condiment anytime!

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 honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the water to thin out the sauce slightly and mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more cayenne for heat, or a bit of honey for extra sweetness.

Step 7

Once the sauce has thickened slightly and developed its rich flavor, remove it from the heat.

Step 8

Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean jar or airtight container.

Step 9

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy as a glaze, dip, or topping!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	420.9 grams (420.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	394

Total Fat 0.40g	1%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2395mg	104%
Total Carbohydrate 99.60g	36%
Dietary Fiber 1.40g	5%
Total Sugars 79.50g
Protein 0.80g	2%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 71mg	5%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 314mg	7%

*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: 0.9%

Protein: 0.8%

Carbs: 98.3%