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Easy Tangy Budget BBQ Sauce Recipe for Perfect Grilling Flavor

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A quick and budget-friendly BBQ sauce with a punchy tang and balanced sweetness, perfect for all your grilling adventures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon optional hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients so you’re ready to go—this helps avoid scrambling midway.
  2. Combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce in a saucepan.
  3. Whisk everything together over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes, until smooth and glossy.
  4. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and coats the back of a spoon but still pourable.
  5. Taste and adjust: add more brown sugar if too tangy, or more vinegar if too sweet.
  6. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes before using. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
  7. Use immediately on grilled meats or vegetables, or transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate. Keeps well for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Simmer gently without boiling to avoid bitterness. Stir frequently near the end to prevent scorching. Adjust sweetness and tanginess to taste. If sauce thickens too much after refrigeration, whisk in a splash of water or vinegar before serving. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free version. Swap Worcestershire with tamari or coconut aminos and brown sugar with maple syrup for vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ sauce, tangy BBQ sauce, budget BBQ sauce, grilling sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, easy BBQ sauce, smoky BBQ sauce

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-tangy-budget-bbq-sauce-recipe-for-perfect-grilling-flavor/