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Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Without Brown Sugar or Molasses

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A quick and simple BBQ sauce recipe that uses honey instead of brown sugar or molasses, delivering a tangy, smoky, and lightly sweet flavor perfect for grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) honey
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) water

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 3 tablespoons honey. Stir gently to mix.
  2. Whisk in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and let the sauce come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning, about 8–10 minutes.
  4. If the sauce is too thick, add 2 to 3 tablespoons water gradually, stirring after each addition until pourable but not watery.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning: add more apple cider vinegar for tanginess or more honey for sweetness as desired.
  6. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer to a jar or container, seal, and refrigerate. Flavors improve after a few hours or overnight.

Notes

Keep heat low and simmer gently to avoid burning the honey. Stir frequently during simmering. Adjust sweetness and acidity to taste. If sauce thickens after refrigeration, stir in a teaspoon of water or vinegar before serving. Use fresh spices for best flavor. Can substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup for vegan or flavor variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, no brown sugar BBQ sauce, no molasses BBQ sauce, grilling sauce, easy BBQ sauce, honey BBQ sauce

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-homemade-bbq-sauce-without-brown-sugar-or-molasses-recipe-for-perfect-grilling/