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This Homemade Barbecue Sauceโฆโฆitโs just like Sweet Baby Rayโs and it totally has me wishful thinkingโฆCome on. We were almost there, we even had some nice warm sunny days. I could feel spring!
Not!
But then, yeah you guessed it. It totally snowed last night.
I am not going back to my winter ways. I am rebelling against this weather!
It is April gosh darn it!
Technically I know April is a little early to be breaking out the grill, but letโs just say I am getting you guys ready forย that hot spring day when you decide it is time to break out the grill.
Before you know April will be over, mid May will hit and with it will come (hopefully) warm temps! Or maybe you are lucky enough to be in one of those spots where the warm weather has already arrivedโฆlucky you.
Really is there a better way to prepare for outdoor cooking than homemade BBQ sauce!
Itโs pretty much any grillerโsย favorite sauce.
Heck whether you are griller, broiler, Gorge Foreman lover or baker, it is still probably your favorite sauce.
Over here we grill all year round. The boys CANNOT live without their grilled chicken or steak and my dad only likes his fish grilled. Not seared, not baked and not fried. Grilled.
So our grill gets a whole lot of use.
Therefore, we also go through a whole lot of BBQ sauce. Obviously.
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Hands down, around here the family favorite is Sweet Baby Rayโs.
The problem? It is filled to the brim with high fructose corn syrup! Barf.
So I made my own. And oh fudge it is good! And like ridiculously easy. It takes me ten minutes to throw together! Yes, just 10 minutes! Youย definitelyย canโt get to the store and back in 10 minutes! Plus, my guess is you have every single ingredient in your kitchen right now. Honestly, it could not be simpler and it could not taste better. Even the texture is stop on. Sweet Baby Ray himself would not be able to tell the difference.
Yeah, I am serious. It is that good.
Homemade Barbecue Sauce....Just Like Sweet Baby Ray
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups ketchup, preferably organic
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice, or you can sub apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon worchestire sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, use less if you don't like the heat
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients size sauce pot. Bring to a boil and reduce and simmer for five minutes or until all the sugar has dissolved. Serve immediately or cover and store in fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Bone suckinโ, lick the spoon (jar, bowl, table, whatever), good!
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My Absolute favorite BBQ sauce! I even make my homemade baked beans for my husband’s firestation with this recipe, and firefighters know good food ! I add candied jalapeรฑos for a wonderful kick occasionally. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Hey Karin,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe and taking the time to comment, so glad it was enjoyed!
Have the best Sunday!
My go to BBQ sauce. Simple to prep and sooo good!!!
Personal preference-I use Sucanat sugar instead of brown, and cut it in half.
Hey there,
Happy Sunday! Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipeโhappy to hear it was a win!
I’ve tried scores of supposed “copycat recipes for several products and most of them don’t come close. Your sweet baby Ray’s tastes “exactly like the real thing! THANK YOU!!!
Hey there,
Happy Monday! Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Great BBG sauce
Thanks so much, Cathy!!
This is still my go to recipe, for BBQ sauce! My son-in-law โslathers it on everythingโ, according to my daughter. Iโve been making this for years and will continue to, for years to come! Iโm actually making a triple batch today! My wife actually went out to get me Pineapple juice! I know that I could use Apple Cider Vinegar, but the Pineapple juice makes it!
Hey Eddie,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe so often and your comment, so glad it always turns out nicely for you!
Have a great holiday!๐๐
Iโve not tasted your sauce yet, but I am here to tell you. Every copycat Iโve seen over the Internet did not look like anything of Sweet Baby Rayโs sauce. Yours DID! Your sauce looks delicious! I Will be using Your recipe. The rest of them looked too translucent, not that rich dark husky color like yours. YES!
Thank You!
Thanks so much, Jennifer!! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
Sorry. I meant substitute.
Is there something you can submit for molasses?
Hi there! I haven’t ever tried this without the molasses so I can’t say for sure, but you could maybe try some corn syrup with brown sugar? ๐ xT
Made this last night and it’s a keeper. My new go to.
While I have always loved Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet and Spicy sauce, we are trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrup. So, began the search for a good substitute and I believe we’ve found it.
Thanks so much.
I wonder if I could can it?
Hi Charlene,
Happy Holidays!๐๐โ๏ธ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it turned out well! Sure, I bet that would work nicely for you as long as it’s done properly. XxT
I’ve already had to make a second batch! SO yummy! Love it.
I am not American but I know very well that Sweet Baby Rays is a favorite in many households…. I am going to make this recipe as it has excellent reviews but I have a question: Is Ground Mustard in dry powder form? I just want to make sure that I use the correct ingredient. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Madelein,
Yes, that is correct! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This is sooooo good I can’t tell the difference from the real thing
Hey Karen,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, I’m so glad it was enjoyed! xxx
I have made this sauce many times and it always comes out very consitent. In other words we luv it.
Hey Ken,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe is always enjoyed, thanks for making it so often! Have the best autumn weekend! xT
First off, it does NOT taste like Baby Rays sweet and spicy. Thatโs our favorite and our go-to sauce so we know it pretty well. Howeverโฆ this sauce is delicious and we love it! Iโll definitely be making it again. Kudos!
Hi Cindi,
Thanks for trying this sauce and sharing your feedback! Glad it was enjoyed:) xx
Thank you for this recipe. Iโve been using it for over 2 years and love love love it. I have tweaked it and just added or lessened some things and it always turns out beautiful. I usually make about 5-10 times the recipe and freeze the rest.
Great recipe. Thanks again!!
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for making this recipe so often:) So glad to hear it is always enjoyed! xT