Tavern Barbecue Sauce

Elevate your grilling game with this irresistible Tavern Barbecue Sauce—a perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors designed to make any dish unforgettable. Crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, this homemade BBQ sauce gets its depth from molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of smoked paprika. A hint of cayenne pepper adds just enough heat, while ground mustard and garlic powder round out the bold, well-balanced flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make sauce thickens beautifully as it simmers, creating a velvety texture that clings perfectly to ribs, chicken, or even burgers. Store it in your fridge and enjoy a taste of backyard barbecue perfection for up to two weeks. Whether brushing it on grilled meats or serving as a dipping sauce, this Tavern Barbecue Sauce is your new go-to recipe for smoky, homemade deliciousness!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups Ketchup
• 0.75 cups Brown sugar
• 0.25 cups Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Molasses
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoons Onion powder
• 1 teaspoons Ground mustard
• 0.25 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Whisk until fully incorporated.

Step 3

Pour in water to thin the sauce slightly and whisk again.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, such as more salt, a pinch of cayenne for extra heat, or a drop more molasses for sweetness.

Step 7

Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 8

Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	859.1 grams (859.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1024

Total Fat 0.80g	1%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4811mg	209%
Total Carbohydrate 263.10g	96%
Dietary Fiber 2.30g	8%
Total Sugars 223.70g
Protein 1.50g	3%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 247mg	19%
Iron 6mg	32%
Potassium 1182mg	25%

*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: 0.7%

Protein: 0.6%

Carbs: 98.8%