Homemade Texas BBQ Sauce
In the mood for Texas BBQ Sauce that is a little bit sweet mixed with a small amount of heat? This simple barbecue sauce recipe is made with brown sugar, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of cayenne to deliver the ultimate flavors for summertime.
Texas BBQ Sauce
There’s nothing quite like the flavors of warm, sweet, spicy, and tangy Texas style BBQ sauce. Whether you’re dipping, eating it on sandwiches, by the spoonful, you name it… there’s something in common with every meal: enjoyment.
My Texas BBQ sauce recipe is savory and smoky with a hint of sweetness. It’s also a lot thinner than other types of barbecue sauces — which means it coats whatever meat you decide to pair it with without overpowering its natural flavor. It’s meant to enhance, not mask!
This homemade BBQ sauce comes together with a handful of basic pantry ingredients and only takes about 20 minutes to make. Plus, it keeps for at least 2 weeks (and probably even longer!), so make enough to keep on hand for all of your upcoming backyard barbecues!
Why You’ll Love My Texas BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Delicious flavor
- Make it ahead of time and store in the fridge
- Pairs well with chicken, pork, and beef
- Also great on sandwiches
- Or on top of a BBQ pizza!
Key Ingredients to Make Texas Barbecue Sauce
- TOMATO SAUCE – The base of your barbecue sauce recipe — tomato sauce adds savory flavor plus color.
- APPLE JUICE – Adds a touch of sweetness and keeps the sauce nice and thin.
- APPLE CIDE VINEGAR – Here’s where a lot of that tangy flavor comes from! It also helps balance out the sweetness and richness of the other ingredients.
- DARK BROWN SUGAR & MOLASSES – For even more sweetness.
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE – Brings another savory element to the sauce, plus a bit of umami.
- PREPARED MUSTARD – Injects a bit of heat and an extra touch of tang.
- SEASONINGS – All you need is onion and garlic powder, plus the key to the spicy flavor this sauce is known for: cayenne pepper.
Instructions to Make Texas Style BBQ Sauce
COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan.
SIMMER: Set the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring frequently.
COOL: Remove the pan from the stove and allow your Texas BBQ sauce to cool. Serve with your favorite dishes, and enjoy!
FAQ
Texas style BBQ sauce tastes sweet and savory with a little bit of heat.
Yes, Texas barbecue sauce is known for its spiciness all thanks to the cayenne pepper. If you don’t like spicy food, you can leave it out!
Traditional Texas BBQ usually consists of prepared and smoked beef brisket. Although pork was once not considered a true style of Texas, it has recently made its comeback.
Texas BBQ is generally all about brisket, sausage, and ribs… otherwise known as the holy trinity of Texas BBQ. Kansas City is most famous for burnt ends. As a note, Kansas City style BBQ sauce is much thicker and sweeter than Texas style.
Texas Barbecue Sauce Recipe Pro Tips
- Taste and adjust as you go: Remember that Texas barbecue sauce is known for its savory and spicy flavor, not too much sweetness. Taste your sauce after it’s done simmering and adjust if you need to. If it’s too sweet, add a bit more apple cider vinegar to even things out!
- If you have the time and patience, this sauce will actually taste a lot better after a night in the fridge. The flavors will have more time to meld, making the whole thing even more delicious!
- You can store your Texas barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The vinegar and sugar in this sauce should allow it to last a while.
- I recommend heating it up in a saucepan when you’re ready to use.
- Serve this simple BBQ sauce recipe with meat on sandwiches, buns, rolls, and so much more. You’ll love this recipe paired with coleslaw, potato salad, or beans!
Ways to Use Texas BBQ Sauce
This Texas BBQ sauce recipe produces the best-tasting homemade barbecue sauce ever — you’ll love all the ways you can use it. It’s fantastic with a variety of types of yummy things such as:
- Smoked beef brisket
- Bratwursts
- Pulled pork
- Ribs
- Sandwiches
Add it to BBQ chicken pizza or you can dip your fries in it. You really can’t go wrong! There are so many options!
More Barbecue Recipes To Try
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Quick Smoked BBQ Pork Chops
- Cornbread Muffins
Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this Texas barbecue sauce recipe!
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Homemade Texas BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce canned
- ½ cup apple juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
- ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, combine all the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Stir the ingredients often while cooking.
- Once the sauce has finished cooking, then remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool.
