Introduction: Homemade BBQ Sauce

About: Michael's Test Kitchen - FOOD - SUGAR - RECIPES

This BBQ Sauce has a fringe of spicy tang and a balancing sweetness. Caramelized onions are blended into the mix, giving the sauce a bit of a smoky taste.

Check this out on my baking blog or on my YouTube Channel !

There's not right or wrong when it comes to adjusting ingredients; what you add more or less of depends on your desired end result for different tastes. Don't be afraid to use the little bit of hot sauce listed in the ingredients; it is an addition that brings more to the flavor but remains mild enough for anyone, being a very small amount.

For this particular recipe I actually used hot ketchup sauce, but any red hot sauce, as listed, will work as well.
Another beneficial addition to BBQ Sauce could be Worcestershire Sauce, so feel free to try that as well. I haven't personally tried it yet, but I know that it would compliment the sauce quite well - perhaps a couple teaspoons or so. Something I'll definitely add next time I make this BBQ Sauce. Be sure to check out the step-by-step YouTube video (above)!

Step 1: Ingredients

Ingredients: (makes 1 1/2 cups mixture)


1 cup ketchup

3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

3 Tbs. Lemon juice

½ cup brown sugar

1 Tbs. Mustard

1 tsp. Lemon zest

¼ tsp. Hot pepper sauce

¼ tsp. Black pepper

½ onion, chopped

Dash of garlic powder

½ tsp. Paprika

Dash of salt

Step 2: Caramelize

In a saucepan at medium heat, caramelize the onions in hot vegetable oil.

Step 3: Add the Rest

Add the rest of the ingredients, and bring to a boil.

Simmer for a little over 5 minutes.

Step 4: Pulverize

Pour hot mixture into a blender, like a Vitamix, or food processor. Blend on medium speed until everything is pulverized.

Step 5: Grill and Enjoy!

Use to baste and grill chicken, or use for any other BBQ project.

To baste chicken, reserve a portion of BBQ sauce to drizzle afterwards, and use the rest to baste: grill chicken skin-side down on the grill for a few minutes, then flip over, coating the other side in BBQ sauce. Continue to flip and baste every 5 minutes or so until chicken is cooked through.

BBQ Showdown Challenge

Participated in the
BBQ Showdown Challenge