How to Make BBQ Sauce: 9 Different Types + Recipe Guide

From slow-smoking ribs to making the tastiest baked beans on the block, there are many exciting ways to use BBQ sauce. While there are plenty of tasty pre-made versions at the grocery store, it’s also super easy to make your own!

Once you learn the basics of how to make BBQ sauce, you’ll be able to experiment with all kinds of different recipes. Even better, you can combine ingredients until you’ve developed a signature sauce that’s all your own. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

9 different styles of BBQ sauce

As you get ready to learn how to make homemade BBQ sauce, you may be surprised to learn that there are many different versions. Depending on where you’re from, when you hear the words “barbecue sauce,” you might think of something that’s thick and sweet, vinegary, or quite hot and spicy.

Before you start experimenting with recipes, it’s helpful to know what style of sauce you’re trying to make. Here are 9 regional versions that are all unique and delicious in their own way. 

1. Kansas City BBQ sauce

Sweet and tangy Kansas City-style sauce is one of the most traditional types of BBQ sauce. It combines a dozen or more ingredients but always has a ketchup or tomato base and includes a sweetener like molasses or brown sugar. This sauce has a high sugar content, so you’ll want to wait to add it until after you’ve cooked your meat. Otherwise, it will burn.

2. St. Louis BBQ sauce

St. Louis-style sauce is very similar to Kansas City sauce, but it’s thinner and not quite as sweet thanks to the addition of vinegar, which gives it a sweet-and-sour flavor. Since it has less sugar, you can also use it while cooking without fear of burning.

3. North Carolina BBQ sauce

Carolina BBQ sauce is very vinegar-forward. In eastern North Carolina, the sauce is very basic. It’s a thin sauce made from a mixture of apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. It’s typically used when making BBQ pork or BBQ chicken.

In western North Carolina, they do things a bit differently. To make this style of BBQ sauce, you’ll use the ingredients listed above and add some brown sugar and ketchup. This gives it a thicker texture and a sweeter taste, cutting out some of the vinegar flavor. This style of sauce is a perfect topping for a BBQ pork sandwich.

4. South Carolina BBQ sauce

In South Carolina, the BBQ sauce is made with plain yellow mustard, and it doesn’t include ketchup at all. This sauce is tangy, spicy, and rich without any hint of sweetness.

5. Alabama BBQ sauce

It only takes a quick glance to see what’s different about BBQ sauce that hails from Alabama. This white-colored sauce has a mayonnaise base and combines vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.

It’s traditionally used to make BBQ chicken and is also delicious on chicken wings and pulled pork sandwiches. You can also use it as a dip for vegetables or a coleslaw dressing.

6. Florida BBQ sauce

While Florida might not be the first place you think of when you hear the words “barbecue sauce,” it has its own regional version. It’s a vinegary sauce, similar to what you’ll find in North Carolina. However, this version includes some Cuban citrus flavors and tropical and spicy elements inspired by the tastes of the Caribbean.

7. Texas BBQ sauce

In Texas, the BBQ is all about the beef. Here, instead of using BBQ sauce as a condiment, they use it to marinate or baste their briskets. This sauce is quite thin and is made of meat drippings. It also has big, bold flavors like Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic, chili powder, and cumin.

8. Oklahoma BBQ sauce

Sauce made in Oklahoma combines the authentic styles of Kansas City and Texas BBQ sauce. It’s a thick, heavy sauce made with Worcestershire and ketchup.

9. Nashville BBQ sauce

BBQ sauce from Nashville varies in style, but it almost always has a strong smoky flavor. Most authentic recipes include Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and a few drops of liquid smoke along with apple cider vinegar and a variety of spices.

How to make BBQ sauce: the basics

As you can see, there’s no single way to answer the question, “How do you make BBQ sauce?” Figuring out how to make BBQ sauce from scratch starts with knowing the style you want to create. Then, you can simply mix and match ingredients to make your own unique version.

Step 1: Choose your base

First, you’ll want to decide whether you want to make a BBQ sauce that is tomato-based, vinegar-based, or mustard-based. Some of the ingredients you may choose for your base include:

• Ketchup
• Tomato paste
• Yellow mustard
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sherry vinegar
• Mayonnaise (for Alabama sauce)

Step 2: Choose your spices

The right spices can make or break your BBQ sauce, so choose carefully, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Here are some to consider:

• Garlic powder
• Minced onion
• Crushed red pepper
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Allspice

Step 3: Add some flavor-enhancers

Whether you want a sweeter sauce, a smoky flavor, or something else, you can accomplish your goal by adding some flavor enhancers. Some popular options include:

• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Molasses
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Liquid smoke
• Cola
• Brewed coffee
• Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce

Depending on the ingredients you choose, you may make your BBQ sauce by simply stirring them together. Others require you to bring the ingredients to a boil, then simmer for a while. Once you make your BBQ sauce, you can use it right away or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Ready to make your own BBQ sauce?

Now that you know how to make BBQ sauce from scratch, you’re ready to start experimenting with a wide variety of recipes. You can easily stock up on all the ingredients you need by heading over to Instacart and adding them to your shopping list.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Grandma's Original Molasses, 12 Fl Oz (12 fl oz)

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic (32 fl oz)

French's® Classic Yellow Mustard (20 oz)

Perdue Jumbo Chicken Wings (per lb)

Lea & Perrins The Original Worcestershire Sauce, 15 fl oz Bottle (15 fl oz)

Colgin Liquid Smoke, Hickory (4 fl oz)

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