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Homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce

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Homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce is something that you are definitely going to have to try. If you haven’t made your own sauce you are definitely missing out! This BBQ sauce recipe is simply out of this world. It provides you with a very non-traditional sauce that still has that BBQ kick with a twist!

It always amazes me how ingredients that you might not think would go together actually pair perfectly. This BBQ sauce would marry gorgeously with any smoked meat like pork or beef.

The sweet flavors of the balsamic vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar balance out the sharper flavors of the Dijon, garlic, and onion powders. Once it reduces it is a dark, sticky, yummy BBQ sauce that looks a little like chocolate sauce. Don’t be fooled, it has a beautiful sweet bite you’re going to love.

Jar of BBQ Sauce on a board with a brush and a smear of BBQ sauce on the board

What is the Best BBQ Sauce?

There are so many good or pretty good BBQ sauces in your grocery store, but there are not too many really great-tasting sauces. The wonderful thing is that it is easy to make your own.

Looking around there are literally hundreds of different BBQ sauce styles. You can go traditional, like a thick, sweet, and tangy tomato-based Kansas City style sauce. Or go for a vinegar-based BBQ sauce like the sauces from Carolina.

Today there are many non-traditional sauces. There are Cola-based sauces. You can make BBQ sauce using just about any sweet fruit, from strawberries to pineapple. From blueberries to apples!

Jar of BBQ sauce on a wooden board with a brush leaning up against the jar

 

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Like they say there is nothing better than homemade. And BBQ sauce is no exception! It’s easy to put your own creation together using ingredients that you likely have in your pantry already!

Everyday products like ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and maybe a little Worcestershire sauce can be whipped up into something super tasty in as little as 15 minutes.

If you like, you can add a little (or a lot) of heat to your sauce. Just a splash of your favorite hot sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper works great!

Jar of BBQ Sauce on a board with a brush and a smear of BBQ sauce on the board

How Can I Thicken My BBQ Sauce?

This particular BBQ sauce recipe is pretty thick. I like it because it sticks to your meat and your fingers! But if you find that your sauce is a little too thin for your liking there are a couple of easy fixes you can do to thicken it up.

Firstly, you can simmer it on the stovetop for a little longer. This will reduce the water content of your sauce and help to thicken it. This will also concentrate the flavor in your sauce, which may or may not be what you are looking to do.

Secondly, you can mix 2 TBSP of cornstarch into ¼ cup of cold water. You need to make sure that the cornstarch is completely dissolved or your sauce will have lumps. Add this to your sauce and continue to let it gently simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly.

Brush dipped into a jar of homemade BBQ sauce

 

Sweet or Spicy

Like that old movie title, “Some Like it Hot” some people love their BBQ sauce really spicy. On the other hand, some people love that wonderfully sweet tangy taste. Either way, I think that the best part of BBQ sauce is when you have to, or get to, lick that extra BBQ sauce off your fingers.

The one thing is that if you are using your own BBQ sauce on some fabulous pork ribs or brushing on chicken it doesn’t matter. If you make it the way you like that’s the most important thing!

I created this awesome BBQ sauce to be served with my seriously slow-smoked pulled pork. So while you are making this gorgeous sauce stay tuned for my pulled pork recipe!

Jar of BBQ Sauce on a board with a brush and a smear of BBQ sauce on the board

Tangy homemade balsamic BBQ sauce, it's easy and tastes fantastic #BBQsauce #HomemadeBBQsauce #BalsamicBBQsauce

Tangy homemade balsamic BBQ sauce, it's easy and tastes fantastic #BBQsauce #HomemadeBBQsauce #BalsamicBBQsauce

 

Homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce

Ken Noland
Homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce is something that you are definitely going to have to try. This BBQ sauce recipe is simply out of this world. It provides you with a very non-traditional sauce that still has that BBQ kick with a twist!


4.50 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Miscellaneous
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Cup
Calories 58 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • ¾ Cup good balsamic reduction
  • ¼ Cup good balsamic vinegar
  • ¾ Cup ketchup
  • ¼ Cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all your ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until thickened.












Notes

Your BBQ sauce will last for 4-5 days in a sealed container in your refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1TbspCalories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 14gSodium: 172mgSugar: 13g
Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


6 Comments

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  1. Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    July 17, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    […] brioche bun. Stack the shredded pork high on the bun and cover it with some of my fabulous homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce. To finish it off you just have to pile on a few spoonfuls of coleslaw, a few slices of dill pickle […]

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  2. Smoked Pork Belly - BBQing with the Nolands Smoked Pork Belly says:
    February 16, 2021 at 7:17 am

    […] like to serve up the thinly sliced pork belly on a nice crusty bun with your favorite barbecue sauce. You can pair it with some fries or a green salad to round out the meal. You can basically serve up […]

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  3. Smoked Bone In Leg of Ham - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    March 18, 2021 at 7:05 am

    […] Smoked Ham! Whether it’s whole, spiral sliced, bone-in, boneless, or double-smoked, there is nothing better than serving a great ham to family and friends. This smoked bone-in leg of ham recipe will have everyone heading back for seconds! It’s juicy, flavourful, and the glaze, oh the glaze, it is sweet, sticky, and yummy! […]

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  4. 18 Perfect Grilled Steak Recipes - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    June 9, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    […] also have all the fixings to accompany your steak to make them better than ever! Sauces and toppings for every taste; trust me you are going to want to make every one of these tasty […]

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  5. Homemade BBQ Sauce - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    June 10, 2021 at 7:00 am

    […] BBQ sauce is so simple to make yourself. After you try this sauce will never want to buy BBQ sauce from the […]

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  6. Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    August 3, 2022 at 7:14 am

    […] TGI Fridays Jack Daniels Sauce. It’s an amazing copycat sauce! Or maybe you might prefer this Homemade Balsamic BBQ Sauce. Yes, it’s a little non-traditional but the flavors are absolutely out of this […]

    Reply
4.50 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I’m Ken thanks for stopping by BBQing with the Nolands! I was born and raised in Western Canada. I grew up on the great wide open farmlands that produce some of the worlds’ best livestock and grains.
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