Last time we visited my brother and sister-in-law they made us a really great dinner. Smoked brisket with homemade BBQ sauce, perfectly ripe watermelon, rolls, salad, rice pilaf – a total feast – and we ate it all on the patio by their pool… on the most perfect 72 degree evening. Sometimes I think food tastes better when you eat it outside. I love how people tend to linger when dining outdoors. Maybe it’s because the kids get up and play and the adults get to just visit and sneak seconds. Maybe it’s because you are away from the mess in the kitchen so there’s no rush to get to the dishes and that makes the food more enjoyable.
New goal for Fall: eat out less, eat outside more!
My sister-in-law sent me the recipe she used for her BBQ sauce, and I made a few tweaks (mostly trying to make it sweeter because my boys are used to the bottled stuff) and came up with a really, yummy Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce. When I was making it and needed to taste test, there happened to be a few leftover chicken nuggets on a baking sheet from the boy’s lunch. So I dipped and tasted, and I then finished them all off right then and there. Wow, I thought, this sauce makes even Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets taste good!
Later this week, I’ll share one of my favorite ways to use this BBQ sauce. My husband absolutely loved it and so did I, so you won’t want to miss it! Promise it’s a little better than the kiddie nuggets.
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Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Who knew it was so easy to make your own BBQ sauce? This recipe is perfectly sweet and tangy, and you’ll want to put it on everything!
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 3 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire
- 3 teaspoons liquide smoke
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons butter
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together in a medium sauce pan on medium high heat, stirring frequently. When the sauce comes to a simmer, turn the heat down to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 131
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 493mg
- Fat: 3.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Katya @ Little Broken says
I think homemade is ALWAYS better! I recently started experimenting with BBQ sauce since it’s so hard to buy one without fructose syrup or some other foreign ingredient.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Goals for fall?? Please tell me it’s not time for that yet!!! I’m not readyyyyy!! This sauce looks delicious, lovely photos as usual Julie!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
never made my own homemade barbecue sauce before… im always so lazy and but it from the store. definitely will be recreating this recipe, anything home made always tastes so much better.
Julie says
Hope you enjoy! Thanks for saying hi!
Melanie says
Honey Barbecue sounds delicious! I can’t wait to see what you use it on. …And I love that little spoon! So cute.
Julie says
Thanks Melanie!
Cheryle says
Can I can this sauce in Jars hot water bsth
Julie says
Cheryl that’s a great question, but I’m not sure. I’ve never canned anything before so I’m not sure what recipes are good for that. Sorry, wish I was more helpful!
Heidi says
Yes you can. Anything tomato you want to Process for 30 minutes and a water bath
Glo says
you lost me at ketchup. Sigh, no sugar in my diet. Sounds yummy though.
Gina Gentry says
Hi. This BBQ sauce sounds so yummy! How long will it last in the refrigerator?
Julie says
Hi Gina, I kept mine in the fridge for about a week and it was fine, but beyond that I’m not really sure. Dijon mustard would be just fine.
Gina Gentry says
Also, can the dijon mustard be substituted with yellow or spicy mustard?
Chrissy says
I made this BBQ sauce last night and gave half to my neighbor who was making ribs. She called immediately after eating raving about it. We had it on ribs also and it was truly delicious.
This will be my go to sauce.
Julie says
Thanks for the awesome review Chrissy!
Jillian says
How much does this recipe make. Looking to make it for several people
Julie says
This recipe will make about 2 1/2 cups.
Janet says
I made this about a year and a half ago when my son was home from college. Last weekend, I messaged him… “remember that bbq sauce I made…” He drove the 75 miles from college to home just to have dinner with this sauce!!
Julie says
Aw this is so sweet! Food is definitely a love language! Enjoy your time with him.
Jayme says
Just finished making it, but substituted crushed red pepper flakes for the cayenne pepper because that’s what I had. I used honey I got from my next door neighbor, a hobbyist bee keeper. It tastes great so far, I’m excited to try it on the ribs that are in the smoker!
Julie says
Sounds amazing, Jayme. Happy Saturday!
Gregory says
Okay, hear me out here.. it sounds weird but omg, try adding in a good sized scoop of peanut butter. Yummmmm.