Spicy barbecue sauce with enough heat to bite the back of your throat and just barely sweet enough to balance that heat, this is the sauce I was craving.
My family loves spicy barbecue sauces. I’ve played with a few recipes this year. I found this delicious Homemade Barbecue Sauce a few months ago and we love it. I like my barbecue sauce on the thicker side with just a little sweetness and that sauce fit the bill.
It’s become one of the standard sauces that we reach for any time a barbecue craving hits. When we want something tangier, I love this Tangy Memphis BBQ Sauce. For a fruitier sauce, everyone goes nuts for Tangy Peach Barbecue Sauce.
Still, I hadn’t quite found the spicy sauce I was looking for. I wanted something with plenty of heat!
Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe
So, the hunt for the perfect Spicy Barbecue Sauce continued. As I experimented with different ingredients, I kept coming up ultimately dissatisfied with the end results.
Today, I decided to try again. I had a very long list of ingredients that I wanted to try this time. As I was adding things to the sauce and tasting as I went along, I suddenly realized that I had exactly what I wanted.
I stopped there and very happily asked my husband to taste the sauce. He was thrilled with it. I will be quadrupling this recipe next time I make it and freezing the extra to have for future meals.
This is a pretty spicy sauce as it is written; however, if you like more heat, feel free to increase the Tabasco and cayenne. I served this sauce over pulled pork and it was an instant hit.
This homemade barbecue sauce gets its spiciness from Tabasco sauce and cayenne pepper. Ketchup and brown sugar provide a sweet backdrop for the spice and tang from apple cider vinegar. A dash of smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor that makes such a difference.
Easy Spicy BBQ Sauce
It only takes 5 minutes to whip up a batch of great tasting spicy barbecue sauce. Simply mix all the ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer over medium heat until combined and thickened.
I love the way this sauce tastes served warm, but it’s good as a dipping sauce at room temperature, too!
Spicy Barbecue Sauce is delicious anywhere you’d enjoy your favorite bottled sauce. I can’t wait to try it in Pulled Pork Tacos or in these BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes. This sauce also makes a fantastic dipping sauce for chicken or even Oven Fries.
As I was tasting this for the first time, I also thought it might make a nice addition to these Neato Frito Over-stuffed Burritos my friend Rebecca makes. If you have an instant pot, it’s delicious over these Baby Back Ribs too.
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
We’re big fans of barbecue recipes in this house. As such, I’ve made many homemade barbecue sauces over the years that we love!
If you like the sweet and spicy combination in this sauce, you’re also bound to like the Sweet and Spicy Homemade Barbecue Sauce too. It’s just a tad sweeter than this Spicy BBQ Sauce and my whole family calls it one of the best sauces ever.
You don’t need to be a bourbon drinker to enjoy this Sriracha Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. With flavors of chile and maple, that sauce is declared a winner by everyone who tastes it. Bonus: your kitchen smells amazing while it’s cooking!
Homemade Barbecue Sauce freezes wonderfully. I often make multiple batches of any of these sauces at a time and store a couple of bottles in the fridge with the rest in the freezer.
Having great-tasting homemade barbecue sauce ready at a moment’s notice makes dinnertime easier. Use these recipes anywhere you enjoy tangy sweet barbecue flavor!
If your family prefers traditional ketchup try our easy Homemade Ketchup recipe.
Spicy BBQ Sauce
A homemade barbecue sauce that delivers plenty of heat with just the right amount of sweetness.
Serve this BBQ sauce with Chicken, Pulled Pork or smothered on burgers for a meal the whole family will love. Feel free to double, triple or even quadruple the recipe to have lots on hand to freeze!
Homemade Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup I use Heinz original
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir to combine and simmer 5 minutes. Use warm or let cool, pour into a jar and refrigerate until needed. Enjoy!
Nutrition
{originally published 6/27/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/16/22}
Big Dude says
I've been behind in my blog reading and all three of the 3 last recipes sound very good especially the egg one for this ole breakfast eater. It's always nice when you can hit upon a homemade BBQ sauce that is just the one you like.
IdaBaker says
I've been looking for a good BBQ recipe, so this is right where I need to be. 🙂
Jenn says
This sauce is very similar to one I make too! Love the little bite that it has. Homemade BBQ sauces are the best.. it's hard to go back to bottle once you've had it!
Joanne says
My mouth is watering just imagining this sweet and spicy bbq combo!
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
Men and their sauces! My husband loves BBQ sauce, and ketchup, etc. This looks and sounds terrific.
Sue/the view from great island says
I've never made barbecue sauce but it sounds like so much fun, there are so many potential ingredients. I want that teeny jar and that teeny ladle. And the sauce, too, of course!
Geni says
Can you believe I have never made my own barbecue sauce? What kind of a foodie am I? You are definitely inspiring me to get crackin' on it. Yours sounds perfect!
Jed Gray (sportsglutton) says
Once you've made homemade bbq sauce you can never really go back to the store bought stuff. 🙂
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
what a great sauce – love this – it looks like such a great texture and so much flavor – LOVE this!
Mary x
Marjie says
A good barbecue sauce is always a great thing to have on hand! I love the color of yours.
Blond Duck says
You got a little Texan in you!
Riley says
I adore BBQ sauce. It makes just about anything better!
Mallory says
Looks good! I am also loving the serving spoon, very funky.
Words Of Deliciousness says
This sounds like a great barbecue sauce.
Chris says
I just saved this to give this a try. I bet it would be good on grilled chicken.
Anonymous says
johnny come lately I relaize… the mustard, prepared or dry?
Mary says
The mustard is plain yellow mustard (already prepared) from a jar. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
One of the best bbq sauces I have ever had and very easy to make! This recipe will be a staple for my family from now on
Thanks for posting!!!!
Steph says
Made this today…loved how easy and quick it was! I think next time I'll leave out the brown sugar and add more spice 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Erin says
I just made this and your tangy Memphis BBQ sauce to go with our homemade pulled pork tonight and both sauces were fabulous! I have been looking for some good BBQ sauce recipes and my husband decided both of these are definite keepers. Thank you!!!
Anonymous says
This was great thanks! I did use wasabi powder in place of the tabasco sauce and did not add in Worcestershire as I had none on hand.
Def. agree no going back to the original store bought variety.
http://cookazido.wordpress.com says
I have been looking for a recipe like this for a long time. Can't wait to try it! Thank you for sharing it.