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Home / Recipes
30 minutes
4.6 from 5 votes
4 Comments

BBQ Sauce

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by: Joanna Cismaru
07.29.20
Updated: 08.04.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This homemade whiskey BBQ Sauce will have you saying yee haw! Smoky, bold, tangy, sweet; this sauce has it all. Toss the ingredients in a saucepan, let them get to know each other and voila. You have a homemade BBQ sauce with practically no effort!

homemade bbq sauce in a jar with a ladle behind it

Living out in the wild west of Canada, I feel it’s only appropriate to offer up my own rendition of a good whiskey BBQ sauce. I actually tried a variation of this recipe with my Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs. It was such a hit! I swear it became our favorite part of the entire meal.

Since then I’ve whipped up this sauce time and time again to serve with all my BBQ creations. It’s been a hit with everyone who has tried it! From tender ribs, brisket, pulled pork; you name it. These recipes simply become vessels to carry this smoky, sweet, and savory BBQ sauce.

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make bbq sauce

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Ketchup – Any type you like best.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Regular white vinegar will work instead.
  • Whiskey – Use your favorite type! You can use a less expensive variety for this recipe.
  • Brown sugar – You can use regular white sugar mixed with molasses instead.
  • Worcestershire sauce – Or soy sauce.
  • Liquid smoke – If you can’t find this ingredient anywhere, grab some smoked paprika instead.
  • Dry mustard – Or regular white mustard.
  • Garlic powder – Use more or less as you like.
  • Pepper – Freshly cracked.
detailed process shots showing how to make bbq sauce

How to make BBQ sauce

  1. Stir: Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a bubble over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  2. Simmer: Let the sauce cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

What type of whiskey should I use?

Different types of whiskey have varying flavors that will add some lovely nuances to your sauce. Bourbon carries notes of vanilla and caramel, scotch has smoke, and plain whisky gives you malt.

When it comes to a BBQ sauce so full of rich flavor, don’t worry too much about the variety of whiskey you choose if it’s not overly important to you. You can go for the cheapest bottle at the store and this sauce will still taste incredible!

homemade bbq sauce in a jar with a wooden spoon in it

How to use

Okay, you’ve made this incredible sauce, now what do you do with it? It has to be put to good use! Here are some of my favorite recipes to slather in sauce:

  • Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Easy Meatloaf Recipe
  • Maple BBQ Glazed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
  • Instant Pot Pulled Chicken
  • The Best Baby Back Pork Ribs

Storing

Keep your BBQ sauce in an airtight container or jar for 7-10 days. Make sure the BBQ sauce has fully cooled down to room temperature before storing. You can use this sauce in place of regular BBQ sauce in any recipes, for dipping, or brushed over meats when grilling.

Check out these fantastic homemade staples:

  • Homemade Mayonnaise
  • Balsamic Glaze
  • Pizza Sauce Recipe
  • Easy Homemade Pesto
  • Thousand Island Dressing
  • Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • Enchilada Sauce
  • Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

homemade bbq sauce in a jar with a ladle behind it

BBQ Sauce

4.6 from 5 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
This homemade whiskey BBQ Sauce will have you saying yee haw! Smoky, bold, tangy, sweet; this sauce has it all. Toss the ingredients in a saucepan, let them get to know each other and voila. You have a homemade BBQ sauce with practically no effort!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup whiskey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp pepper or to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Stir: Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a bubble over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  • Simmer: Let the sauce cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

Recipe Notes

  1. Keep your BBQ sauce in an airtight container or jar for 7-10 days. Make sure the BBQ sauce has fully cooled down to room temperature before storing. You can use this sauce in place of regular BBQ sauce in any recipes, for dipping, or brushed over meats when grilling.
  2. Nutritional information is per 1/4 cup.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 103kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 20g (7%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 457mg (20%)Potassium: 195mg (6%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 17g (19%)Vitamin A: 231IU (5%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 17mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Sauce
Cuisine:American
Keyword:bbq sauce, whiskey bbq sauce
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Beverley Blew says

    August 10, 2020 at 11:34 am

    Can this be frozen ?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      August 10, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      For sure! Might need a little mixing after thawing out.

      Reply
  2. Darlene Rogers says

    July 30, 2020 at 7:45 am

    Can you substitue the whiskey with wine?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      July 30, 2020 at 9:47 am

      You can try! We haven’t done that before.

      Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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