An easy, 20-minute Sweet and Smoky Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe. Make a double batch and keep leftovers in the freezer for ease and convenience!
This Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce is what dreams are made of.
With summertime here, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, bust out your basting brush, and get down to some serious grilling business.
My secret ingredient for homemade barbecue sauce is a touch of smoked paprika. It adds just enough of that earthy, smoky flavor without overwhelming the sweetness of the sauce.
Here’s a few ideas on ways to use this BBQ sauce:
Baste it on some pork ribs during the last thirty minutes on the smoker
Serve it as a dip for french fries or onion rings
Toss it with leftover chicken and make Southern-fusion tacos
Add some smoky flavor to your regular pulled pork recipe
Make a Tex-Mex inspired Chicken Tamale Casserole (see the photo below)
Use it as a smoky BBQ marinade
This smoked BBQ sauce will keep in your fridge for about two weeks, but feel free to make a larger batch and freeze it in mason jars for convenient homemade deliciousness throughout the year.
I buy these half pint mason jars like they are going out of style. Some mason jars are labeled specifically for freezer use (like these ones), but I’ve had great success using the regular old canning ones, too.
I also use the half pint jars as drinking glasses when we have people over during the summer. They are so easy to store when not in use!
Spend 20 minutes making this homemade BBQ sauce this week and report back on all of the fun ways you used it!
Sweet and Smoky Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and saute two minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients and let cook for three minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes until thickened.
Nutrition

Please note that Smoky BBQ Sauce Recipe is often misspelled as Smokey BBQ Sauce Recipe.
Followed recipe but could only taste apple cider vinegar. It just wasn’t for my taste buds.
I made this to go with some bison ribs. Very good simple sauce. I used maple syrup instead of brown sugar, and I only put a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper in. It was hot enough for us and fabulous. I am thinking this would be awesome on Smokies or wieners cooked on the fire.
k
This is amazing! Best BBQ sauce I’ve tried and will be a staple moving forward!
Hi Jordan, so glad you have a new favorite! Sounds like some summer BBQ is going to be happening! – Linda
Hi Anetta,
Love it! Love it! Love it!
My go to BBQ sauce. Thanks 🙏