There are as many varieties of homemade barbecue sauce as there are barbecue techniques. Which one you choose is a matter of personal taste, but they all start out the same – with delicious spices and lots of simmering on a hot stove. Here are a few barbecue sauce recipes that will make your chicken, beef, and pork extra-tasty during the hot summer months!
Coca-Cola Barbecue Sauce
- 1 can Coke Classic
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 small onion, very finely chopped
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp horseradish
Simmer all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat until the sauce is thick. It should be just thick enough to cling to a spoon when you scoop up a bit.
Honey Butter Barbecue Sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped very fine
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 well-squeezed lemon slices
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients, including the squeezed lemon rinds. Simmer in a saucepan until it reaches the appropriate thickness.
Traditional Barbecue Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup prepared yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp celery powder
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until thick. This barbecue sauce is best if heated to a boil, then simmered, then cooled to room temperature before being refrigerated. Use the next day, straight out of the refrigerator, to baste the meats before cooking.


