Homemade Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce

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Picture this: a sweet, spicy BBQ sauce with just the right kick of heat that dances on your taste buds and lingers in the best way possible. Whether slathered on ribs, burgers, or even grilled veggies, this homemade sweet and spicy BBQ sauce can elevate any dish to a whole new level. And the best part? You can tailor it to your exact flavor preferences. Let’s dive into how you can make your own irresistible BBQ sauce right at home!

Once you start make things you regularly eat or cook with from scratch, it’s really, really hard to go back to store bought. Once you make this homemade sweet and spicy bbq sauce, you’ll never go back to store bought again. 

Over the last few years I’ve started moving away from processed foods and started trying my hand at making things we regularly eat from scratch. 

I went all in last year once I saw how much better my homemade tomato soup and homemade pesto sauce were compared to store bought.

Now I’m not saying I’ll never by something store bought again, but seeing how easy it is to grow ky own ingredients and have complete control over what goes into sauces like this homemade bbq sauce, those days are few and far between.

In fact, if you asked me 10 years ago, heck even 3 years ago, if I’d have a mini homestead in my backyard I would have laughed at you. 

But the last few years have really opened my eyes to things I never looked at before and here I am.

I was going through some old posts on the blog and realized I needed a good homemade bbq sauce to compliment some recipes.

I’ll be the first to say this recipe is so freaking easy I don’t know why I didn’t make it before. 

WHAT CAN YOU USE SWEET AND SPICY BBQ SAUCE ON

Grilled Meats

• Ribs: The classic BBQ pairing. Slather the sauce on during the last few minutes of grilling for a sticky, flavorful glaze.

• Chicken: Great on grilled or baked chicken wings, thighs, breasts, or even whole roasted chicken.

• Burgers: Add a dollop of BBQ sauce to beef, turkey, or veggie burgers for an extra punch of flavor.

• Steak: Lightly brush BBQ sauce on grilled steak for a smoky touch, especially on flank or skirt steak.

• Pork: Pork chops, pork tenderloin, or pulled pork are all excellent when paired with BBQ sauce.

It’s absolutely amazing on my GRILLED SWEET & SPICY CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS. This is the perfect recipe to try this homemade bbq sauce on. 

Sandwiches & Wraps

• Pulled Pork Sandwiches: This is a BBQ classic. Serve it with some coleslaw for the perfect balance.

• Grilled Cheese: Try a BBQ grilled cheese sandwich by adding a bit of sauce to the inside of the bread before grilling.

• Chicken Wraps: Use BBQ sauce as a dressing in a chicken and veggie wrap.

Pizza

• BBQ Chicken Pizza: Top your pizza dough with BBQ sauce, chicken, red onion, and cheese for a smoky flavor.

• Pork or Beef Pizza: Use BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce and top with pulled pork or beef.

Vegetables

• Grilled Veggies: Brush BBQ sauce on veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob before grilling.

• Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower florets in BBQ sauce and bake or grill them for a smoky snack or side dish.

• Sweet Potatoes: Roast or grill sweet potato wedges with a glaze of BBQ sauce for a sweet-savory combo.

Dips

• BBQ Meatballs: Mix BBQ sauce with meatballs for an easy appetizer.

• Fries: Serve BBQ sauce as a dip for French fries, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges.

• Onion Rings: Dip crispy onion rings in BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.

Tacos & Nachos

• BBQ Tacos: Add BBQ pulled pork or chicken to a taco shell, and top with slaw and sauce.

• BBQ Nachos: Top tortilla chips with pulled pork, chicken, or beef, then drizzle with BBQ sauce and cheese.

Breakfast

• Breakfast Burrito: Add a bit of BBQ sauce to scrambled eggs, sausage, and potatoes in a burrito.

• BBQ Hash Browns: Top crispy hash browns with BBQ sauce and eggs for a savory breakfast option.

Salads

• BBQ Chicken Salad: Toss grilled chicken with lettuce, avocado, and a BBQ sauce dressing.

• BBQ Bacon Salad: Add some smoky BBQ sauce to a bacon salad for extra flavor.

Seafood

• Grilled Shrimp: Brush BBQ sauce on shrimp during grilling for a smoky and sweet flavor.

• Salmon: A light glaze of BBQ sauce on salmon fillets before grilling or baking is delicious.

Fries and Chips

• Use BBQ sauce as a dip for regular fries, sweet potato fries, or even potato chips.

HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE FAQS

Homemade BBQ sauce typically lasts for about 1 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container. The shelf life can vary depending on the ingredients used, particularly if your sauce contains perishable items like fresh garlic or herbs.

Here are a few tips to extend the shelf life:

Use Vinegar and Sugar

• Many BBQ sauces have vinegar and sugar, both of which act as natural preservatives. Sauces with a high vinegar content tend to last longer.

Refrigeration

• Always store your BBQ sauce in the fridge to keep it fresh for longer. Even though vinegar helps preserve the sauce, refrigeration is still crucial.

Sterilize Containers

• Make sure your storage container is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. This reduces the chance of bacteria or mold growing inside.

Check for Signs of Spoilage

• If you notice any off smells, color changes, or mold, it’s time to toss it.

Freezing for Longer Storage

• If you want to keep your homemade BBQ sauce for several months, you can freeze it. Transfer the sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays (for portion control) and freeze it. You can store it for up to 3-6 months in the freezer.

Homemade Sauces without Preservatives

• If your BBQ sauce doesn’t contain preservatives like store-bought versions, it’s better to use it within a few weeks to ensure quality and flavor.

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE: 

• HOMEMADE NUT FREE PESTO
• HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM
• HOMEMADE BUTTER
• HOMEMADE PANKO BREAD CRUMBS
• HOMEMADE HOT HONEY

Dawn