Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

By Jeri Mobley-Arias
September 1, 2020 | Updated on September 13, 2023

This homemade sweet and tangy BBQ sauce recipe is a tantalizing balance of sweetness and acidity. Smoky, sweet, and savory, with an acidic kick, this finger-licking-good BBQ sauce comes together in just 15 minutes.

Looking for the perfect pairing for this BBQ sauce? Then try my Oven-Baked Ribs recipe, next! Or make it a feast and check out my Southern Collard Greens, Peach Cobbler, Cornbread with Honey Butter recipes, next!

a pastry brush inserted into a small saucer of sweet and tangy bbq sauce

This content contains affiliate links which helps WhisperofYum.com to provide free recipes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support of the blog, Whisper of Yum!

This sweet and tangy BBQ sauce recipe has been a beloved family jewel for generations. My dad, a Southern man from Georgia, was known for many great things; one of them being his sweet and tangy BBQ sauce recipe.

I recall summer nights as a youngin’ eating slow-cooked ribs slathered in the best homemade BBQ sauce. If you have never made your own BBQ sauce before, you will be surprised at how easy it is to make. So say goodbye to bottled barbecue sauce and hello to your new favorite BBQ sauce recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Signature taste – The addition of liquid smoke gives the sauce a nice little pep mixed with a nice little tang from the apple cider vinegar.
  • Customizable – This BBQ sauce is meant to be sweet and tangy, but if you want to add a little bit of heat, feel free to add red chili flakes.
  • Free of Additives – I’ve tried many sauces in my day, and what I most love about easy sweet and tagy BBQ sauce is that it’s free of additives and unnecessary ingredients.
  • Versatile Sauce – This spring and summer staple goes well on grilled veggies, chicken, burgers, salads, ribs or whatever your heart desires! So go ahead and whip this up real quick–you can thank me later.

Tools You’ll Need

Ingredients You Will Need for Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

Making your own BBQ sauce is simple and a lot better than store-bought brands. And you’re just 10 ingredients away from sweet and tangy saucy goodness!

  • Ketchup – Serves as the base of the sauce.
  • Brown sugar – Where this BBQ sauce gets its sweetness.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar Lends this BBQ sauce its tanginess.
  • Salted butter – A little bit of fat for a wholesome mouthfeel.
  • Mustard – Compliments the apple cider vinegar for the perfect amount of tangy flavor.
  • Lemon – This recipe calls for a halved lemon that cooks with the sauce until it’s nice and thick, then the lemon is discarded.
  • Liquid Smoke – A small amount is added to lend this BBQ sauce its signature smoky taste.
  • Pimentón or Smoked Paprika – Pairs with the liquid smoke for that whisper of smoky flavor.
  • Seasonings – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
ingredients added to a saucepan to make homemade bbq sauce

How To Make Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make homemade BBQ sauce. Once you experience the ease of making your own, you’ll opt out of purchasing store-bought brands.

  1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 10 mins, until sauce thickens.
  2. Done! Lather this saucy goodness on ribs, chicken, grilled veggies, burgers, salads–the possibilities are endless!
making homemade bbq sauce in a sauce pan

Variations

  • Sweeter Sauce Add more brown sugar.
  • Thicker Sauce Simmer for longer until desired consistency is reached.
  • Smokier Sauce Add more liquid smoke.
  • Spicy Sauce Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red chili flakes.
  • More Flavor Use soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for more complex flavor; either sauce contributes an umami taste. Garlic powder and onion powder add savory flavor.

Ways to Use Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

The ways in which you can use this sweet and tangy BBQ sauce are endless! Use it as the secret ingredient in your favorite recipes. Some of our favorite ways include:

  • Salad Top on a cobb or chicken salad and you are good to go.
  • Pizza Pepperoni pizza dipped in a whisper of BBQ sauce never hurt anybody. Try it and I guarantee you will become a fan.
  • Oven-Roasted Potatoes Roasted potatoes are my kryptonite and one of my favorite ways to eat them is with BBQ sauce–absolutely delicious.
  • Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs Homemade BBQ sauce for ribs is hands down, the best! Who says you need a grill to make delicious fall-off-the-bone ribs? I’m here to dispel those rumors and share that you can have the same quality of ribs right from your oven. Check out my Oven-Baked Ribs recipe.
  • BBQ Eats Everything from pulled pork to grilled chicken. If you can grill it, BBQ sauce will likely go well with it.
  • Burgers A thick, juicy cheeseburger, with a nice layer of BBQ sauce always sounds like a good idea to me!
  • Grilled Vegetables One of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy BBQ sauce. Try it on grilled asparagus, zucchini, onions, and corn.
slathering sweet and tangy bbq sauce over ribs

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes BBQ sauce better?

Enhance basic BBQ sauce by adding sweet, spicy, tangy, or savory elements. Popular additions include honey, molasses, lemon juice, mustard, and hot sauce.

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Want to know the best part about this homemade barbecue sauce? Having leftovers for future eats! Store the remaining sauce in a sterilized mason jar and keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.

a small bowl of sweet and tangy bbq sauce

Looking for More Sauce Recipes

Loving this Sweet and Tangy BBQ Recipe?

There’s a reason this homemade sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is loved by all! Leave a comment below and share your love for this recipe on Instagram and Pinterest. We love to see you get down in the kitchen. Thank you for supporting Whisper of Yum and happy eating!

a pastry brush inserted into a small saucer of sweet and tangy bbq sauce

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

5 from 1 vote
This homemade sweet and tangy BBQ sauce recipe is a tantalizing balance of sweetness and acidity. Smoky, sweet, and savory, with an acidic kick, this finger-licking-good BBQ sauce comes together in just 15 minutes.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 1.5 cups
Author Jeri Mobley-Arias
Course Sauce
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Sauce Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • ½ lemon
  • 1 teaspoon pimenton or smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to boil, then lower heat to a a simmer.
  • Cook for 10 mins, until sauce thickens.
  • Allow to cool and place in a sterilized container. BBQ sauce will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Keywords best sweet and tangy bbq sauce recipe, homemade sweet and tangy bbq sauce, how long does homemade bbq sauce last, how to make sweet and tangy bbq sauce, Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce, sweet and tangy bbq sauce for pulled pork, sweet and tangy bbq sauce for ribs, Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce recipe
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @whisperofyum on Instagram and hashtag it #whisperofyum!
a pastry brush inserted into a small saucer of sweet and tangy bbq sauce

PIN THIS
RECIPE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




jeri-mobley

Hey, I'm Jeri!

At Whisper of Yum, we explore ALL cuisines - comfort foods, classics, elevated originals. If you love food like me, I invite you to settle in to this place, where swoon-worthy food is attainable + inspo for your next meal awaits.

Recent Yum