When you’re grilling burgers or spicing up tacos, there’s nothing better than a bold, flavorful sauce to bring it all together. But store-bought BBQ and hot sauces can be packed with sugar, sodium, preservatives—and a hefty price tag. The good news? Making your own homemade bbq sauce and hot sauce at home is easier than you think, and it’ll taste a hundred times better.
In this post, we’re diving into two easy recipes that’ll turn you into a sauce-making superstar. Whether you like your BBQ sweet and smoky or your hot sauce fiery and tangy, these DIY condiments will transform your meals without draining your wallet.
Why Make Your Own BBQ and Hot Sauce?
Homemade sauces give you the ultimate flavor control. You can adjust the heat, the sweetness, the smokiness—and best of all, you’ll skip the artificial stuff. Here’s why it’s worth the small effort:
- Budget-Friendly: Make a batch for pennies per ounce.
- Healthier: No high-fructose corn syrup or chemical preservatives.
- Customizable: Mild, medium, or mouth-on-fire? You decide.
- Perfect for Gifting: Pour it into cute bottles and share the flavor love.
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
This classic BBQ sauce is tangy, sweet, a little smoky, and super versatile. Slather it on ribs, burgers, chicken, or roasted veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup (try our homemade ketchup recipe)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tsp hot sauce (optional, or use your homemade version below!)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
- Let cool and store in a glass jar or squeeze bottle.
Pro Tip: For a spicier BBQ sauce, add chipotle powder or diced jalapeños while cooking.
Storage: Keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
These BPA-free squeeze bottles are great for storing homemade sauces and make for neat fridge organization.
Simple Homemade Hot Sauce
Love hot sauce? Skip the $5 bottle and make your own fiery blend at home in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped fresh hot peppers (like jalapeño, Fresno, habanero, or serrano)
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve if desired for a thinner consistency.
- Store in a clean glass bottle or jar.
Flavor Ideas:
- Add fruit (like mango or pineapple) for a sweet-heat combo.
- Roast the peppers first for a smoky flavor.
Safety Note: Use gloves when handling hot peppers to avoid burning your skin or eyes.
This glass hot sauce bottle set includes labels and caps—perfect for storing and gifting.
Tips for Homemade Sauce Success
Avoid These Common Mistakes:
- Skipping simmer time—your sauce needs time to thicken and develop flavor.
- Overusing salt—start small and adjust after cooking.
- Not sterilizing bottles—always clean jars thoroughly before storing your sauces.
Top Tips:
- Label jars with date and heat level.
- Start mild and build heat gradually—it’s easier to add spice than take it out.
- Let sauces rest overnight in the fridge for fuller flavor.
Budget Tip: Save Even More with Rakuten and BeFrugal
Making your own condiments is already a smart money move. But did you know you can save even more when buying ingredients and tools online?
- Rakuten offers cash back at stores like Walmart, Target, and Vitacost—and you’ll get a $30 bonus when you sign up.
- BeFrugal also provides cash back and a $10 sign-up bonus.
Start saving now:
Sign up for Rakuten | Sign up for BeFrugal
Stock up on apple cider vinegar, jars, spices, and even cute labels for gifting—and earn cash back while you’re at it.
Save Money, Elevate Flavor with DIY BBQ Sauce
You don’t need a fancy kitchen or expensive ingredients to make DIY condiments like BBQ and hot sauce. All it takes is a few pantry staples, a little simmering, and a lot of flavor. Once you try these easy homemade versions, there’s no going back to store-bought.
Because making your own sauce is the ultimate power move for any budget-savvy home cook.
