If you are a fan of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, you will love the taste of this made from scratch BBQ sauce!
With (1) the first college football Saturday and (2) Labor Day coming up in the next few days, I thought it might be a good time to post this homemade BBQ sauce.
Since you make it yourself, you can avoid all the sketchy ingredients. (<- I’m looking at YOU, high fructose corn syrup!) This recipe uses basic pantry ingredients, and it comes together in a snap.
It is great on chicken, pork, veggies…the possibilities are endless.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.
- Sauce Pan
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons
- Storage container (2 cup capacity)
Copycat Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
If this recipe looks good to you, please pin it and share it!
Copycat Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce {Made from Scratch}
You may never buy premade barbecue sauce again after you make this from scratch recipe that tastes just like Sweet Baby Ray's!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle bottle organic ketchup (I used Annie's 24-ounce bottle)
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1.5 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (you could add more if you prefer a smokier BBQ sauce)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan, and whisk to combine.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes (or longer if you prefer a thicker texture).
- Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator. Each serving is approximately 2 tablespoons and is approximately 1 PointPlus on Weight Watchers.
Makes about 2 cups total.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Pin and share if you like it. Happy Labor Day, y’all!
VIOLET JANE LUCE says
Okay, I don’t know what you think Sweet Baby Ray’s tastes like, but this recipe is not even close to being as good as Sweet Baby Ray’s. I went to another recipe & had to calculate the differnces in your recipe & theirs to figure out how to make it right. You have way too much ketchup compared to all the other ingredients & you’re missing ingredients.
Loretta says
I am unable to have garlic. It’s in most everything. This is excellent and the perfect way for me to have BBQ without getting sick. Thank you!! No one else even knew it wasn’t the real deal. 🙂
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so happy to hear this Loretta!
Brenda says
Let ke many others I found myself short on bottled sauce so I put all the ingredients together and doubled the recipe. In so far as changer I added a half a cup honey,two extra T smoke, to the apple vinegar I added red wine vinegar to complete the required, and it came together like a dream. The ribs received rave notices. I froze the extra sauce in ziplock bags on a baking sheet then stacked them on top of each other.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Glad it worked well for you Brenda!
Kate says
Do you think this could be canned to preserve it?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Kate! I am definitely not a canning expert, but I would imagine it would can like any other sauce.
Tammy says
Yes you can, can this I do it a couple times a year.
KarlaM202 says
This was good. Used as a base to adjust to our tastes. We use pineapple juice instead of the vinegar,
molasses is a must, and we like garlic so we add garlic granules. Also smoked paprika. I have a honey fan, so when I make it for them, I add honey, also. Good versatile base, though..thanks for sharing!
Dee says
Karla, could you please tell me amounts you used. This is more to the original ingredients from the label.
Marie says
I was making bbq ribs today and realized that I didn’t have any sauce. I typically buy sweet baby rays so I put that in the search engine and found your recipe. My family favors the honey one. I didn’t have any liquid smoke nor Dijon mustard and I needed what honey I had for another recipe I was making. So,I added a little squirt of classic yellow mustard and some maple syrup. It was very good and the ribs got rav reviews. I may never buy bottled again. I’m going to use the rest in a few days for chicken.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
That is amazing! I am so happy to hear that.
Jerry says
Same here all i had was the yellow mustard, so i added the yellow mustard, but kept the recipe the same other than that.. Never gonna buy store bought again..Thanks for the recipe. Everyone was smiling yesterday at the bbq and asked about the sauce. Secret LOL
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Jerry! I am so glad you enjoyed it. It can be our secret.😉👌🏻
Vanessa says
My daughter just helped me make this tonight. I was craving bbq chicken and only had a little bit of sweet baby ray’s. It was deeee- lish!! I may use a smidge less vinegar but loved the liquid smoke in it.
It’s definitely a keeper!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Vanessa!💖
Mike Coulter says
It’s great I have to admit but it’s not a copycat to sweet baby rays. Having folks over today. Hopefully they’ll enjoy it as well. I’ve been smokin meat and making sauce for close to fifty years.