The Best Tangy & Thick Sweet Onion BBQ Sauce
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Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce. Rich smoky, sweet and tangy. This ketchup based bbq sauce contains, molasses, brown sugar, sweet red onions, apple cider vinegar, mustard and a few other ingredients! It’s simmered until it’s thickened and flavorful. So good, you’ll want to slather it on everything or eat it straight from the spoon!
Stop focusing on how stressed you are and remember how BLESSED you are ~ Unknown
If you read my blog, you already know that we are moving to Kansas for a year. We were originally going to rent a place but then we decided to buy one instead.
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I can’t wait to get the move over. I also can’t wait to finally savor some Kansas City BBQ for once! If you don’t know about Kansas City BBQ sauce, well it’s pretty famous and a big thing. Summer is going to be so much fun! BBQ sauce time! In the meantime, I’ll stick to my favorite bbq sauce recipe inspired by our move and Kansas City BBQ.
Update: We have been in Kansas City for almost a year! It’s been fun and quite an experience. FYI, the people here are so darn friendly! I always find myself chatting it up with strangers here. I love it. Kansas will be missed but we will be back since my husband is from Omaha..not far from KC. We’ll be back in DC this summer. FYI, Kansas City bbq is even better than I thought! So yummy!
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HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE
- This bbq sauce recipe is pretty basic, nothing difficult about it but it’s seriously the best bbq sauce ever! It’s very forgiving. You can add more seasoning if you like..or eliminate the onions…but why would you do that…it’s what makes the sauce so flavorful. If you don’t like your sauce too chunky with onions you can smooth the sauce out a blender. Okay back to the recipe, simply sauté the onions on the stove until translucent about 3 minutes. Add the molasses, vinegar, dark brown sugar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, and the rest of the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan.
- Let the BBQ sauce come to a boil then simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
- The longer you simmer the sauce, the darker, thick and flavorsome the sauce will become.
- Pic one below shows the ingredient in the bowl. Photo 2 is what it looks like mixed. I put it in another bowl for picture purposes. It just looks better that way and I love my cute bowl..#thatsthefoodbloggerinmedontmindme. Thought I would just mention that because I honestly, don’t want to mislead anyone.
COOKING TIPS FOR HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE:
- Remember to simmer the BBQ sauce stirring occasionally for about 25-35 minutes until the sauce is thickened to your liking. If you want it thinner then simmer for half the time.
- Slather on, BBQ chicken sliders, pulled pork or chicken, pulled beef, drumsticks or wings, burgers, pork chops or ribs!
- Let your sauce hang out in the fridge for a day. It will help all the flavors meld resulting in a more flavorful smoother sauce.
- Make sure you use a good quality molasses.
- Liquid smoke helps mimic the flavor of smoked meats without having to smoke anything at all. Liquid smoke is optional since the sauce is still absolutely delicious without it.
- Store BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Sweet Tangy Thick and Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tsp molasses
- 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp spicy mustard
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup ketchup **plus additional 2 tablespoons
- 5 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 3 pinches onion powder
- 3 pinches chili powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/4 cup diced onions
- tsp liquid smoke for taste **optional see notes**
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium high heat add the vegetable oil or butter. Once the oil is hot, add the onions. Saute until translucent and softened.
- Add the sautéed onions, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, spicy mustard, lemon juice, ketchup, liquid smoke, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder chili powder and pepper to a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil then set stove to low, Cook the bbq sauce for 20-35 minutes stirring occasionally until thickened to your liking. **See notes for tips to make a smoother sauce.
Notes
Tips to make this bbq sauce
- Remember to simmer the BBQ sauce stirring occasionally for about 25-35 minutes until the sauce is thickened to your liking.
- If you want a smoother sauce. Use an immersion blender, food processor or blender.Â
- Let your sauce hang out in the fridge for a day. It will help all the flavors meld resulting in a more flavorful smoother sauce. Â
- Make sure you use a good quality  molasses. Â
- Liquid smoke helps mimic the flavor of smoked meats without having to smoke anything at all. Liquid smoke is optional..It's still absolutely delicious without it.  ***I used 1/4 tsp of liquid smoke. A little goes a long way. For starters I suggest you add maybe even less than and taste. If you want it more smokey then add a bit more and more until you like the flavors.  Oh one more thing, some people realize they don't like the flavor of liquid smoke in their bbq. So another suggestion is to simply do a taste test. Place a bit of the sauce and mix it with a tiny bit of the liquid smoke and taste. Decide if you want to add the liquid smoke to the rest of the bbq sauce. Â
- Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Â
If you liked this bbq sauce recipe, check out how I used it in my slow cooker & instant pot bbq pulled beef sandwiches.
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If you know of any GOOD bbq spots in KC, please leave a comment below! We will definitely add them to my to do list before the move!
I’ve never had Kansas City BBQ but I’m so curious what the difference is between what I’m used to eating here in Texas. Excited to try your BBQ sauce because I love a good sauce.
I actually had some KC BBQ today and it’s soooo good the meat is melt in your mouth tender. The sauce is perfect. It’s so good, I’m inspired to make my own bbq this summer! Seriously, I am going to miss the BBQ!
I cannot wait for grilling season. I just came back from my morning walk. Here in Canada although SPRING is here, the weather is still on the chilly side. We have a new BBQ to christen (after we get it put together first). I will be saving this for all the tasty recipes we will be cooking.
Okay you had me at the first sentence here. Rich smoky, sweet and tangy <<< there is literally nothing else I want in a BBQ sauce. Your version looks so much better than store bought!
This is wholesome perfect barbecue sauce, I like that it is tangy and sweet. I need to try it, My son loves barbecue sauce and it is must for his chicken nuggets. yes chicken nuggets.
This reminds me of the BBQ sauce my dad used to make growing up! I was born in TX and also lived in Memphis for 7 years so BBQ has a very special place in my heart.
I never made my own BBQ until I tried this recipe. I love all of the flavor, and the onions are great. Sometimes I blend it for a smooth sauce, but sometimes I just love the texture!
Homemade BBQ sauce is absolutely the best. You know what you’re getting and you don’t have all of those artificial ingredients in it. We do use a lot of BBQ during the grilling season – we’ll have to try your recipe out. And people from the Mideast and Midwest are super friendly – so are Southerners. Stand in line in a grocery store and it’s easy to strike up a conversation.
Yes they’re the most friendliest people I’ve met yet! It never fails. Every single time I go outside someone is chatty with me lol. Love it! Thank you Marisa! Hope you can try it!
Oh this sauce looks absolutely amazing! I’ve recently gotten into making my own sauces, and I’m certainly adding BBQ sauce to the list. I love that you use Liquid Smoke, and always have it in the fridge
Thank you so much Karyl! Yes homemade sauces are so much better but if I’m too busy I don’t have a problem with using store bbq sauce!
I love everything about this! All those ingredients sound amazing together! I will have to make this soon!
I love barbecue sauce and making it at home sounds like a great way to avoid extra junk in the ingredients!
Homemade sauces are so much better and I’d always customize it as per my taste and preference. With summer upon us and loads of BBQ and grilling to happen this sauce is a keeper! Droolicious it is
Homemade sauces are the best as one can control the kind of ingredients that go into it. I like that you’ve used tomato sauce and not ketchup.
Exactly and so much healthier. Thank you Mayuri!
I love an easy bbq sauce recipe! I’ve got some chicken thighs that I planned on making for dinner, this will go great with it! Happy Moving, I hope it goes smoothly.
I hope you can try it out, Tanya! I seriously can’t wait for the move to be over! Thanks!
I absolutely adore BBQ Sauce, and I have a go to recipe, but I am definitely looking forward to trying your version! Thinking I am going to make some BBQ Cauliflower Wings!
Oooh cauliflower wings sound interesting but good! Try it and let me know what you think!
Good luck on your move to Kansas City! I love that this recipe has no ketchup, one of my bffs hates ketchup and refuses to eat BBQ. Maybe if I use this recipe she will give it a try.
I made homemade bbq sauce with ketchup and it no matter what I added to it, the sauce still tasted like ketchup lol. I like the tomato based ones way better. Thank you so much Sondria!
This is awesome! I love making my barbecue from scratch and I’m always looking for good recipes for it!
Thank you so much Camila!