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You are here: Home / Food / Copycat Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce {Made from Scratch}

Copycat Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce {Made from Scratch}

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If you are a fan of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, you will love the taste of this made from scratch BBQ sauce!

Copycat Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce | APinchOfHealthy.com - such a yummy homemade BBQ sauce that comes together with a few simple pantry ingredients

Copycat Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce | APinchOfHealthy.com

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.

Copycat Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce | APinchOfHealthy.com

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 | APinchOfHealthy.com
4.91 from 11 votes
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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!

Course Sauces
Cuisine American
Keyword sweet baby ray's recipe, sweet baby rays from scratch
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 20
Calories 52 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

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

  1. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan, and whisk to combine.
  2. Simmer for about 5 minutes (or longer if you prefer a thicker texture).
  3. 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.

Nutrition Facts
Copycat Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce {Made from Scratch}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 52
% Daily Value*
Sodium 331mg14%
Potassium 129mg4%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Vitamin A 275IU6%
Vitamin C 1.6mg2%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Pin and share if you like it. Happy Labor Day, y’all!

(Visited 309,573 times, 27 visits today)
17560shares
  • Share 415
  • Yummly 20

Related posts:

  1. Roasted Garlic Hummus (easy, flavorful appetizer)
  2. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
  3. Greek Red Wine Vinaigrette (made from scratch)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    October 3, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      October 5, 2020 at 8:45 am

      I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Vanessa!💖

      Reply
  2. Mike Coulter says

    July 3, 2020 at 11:27 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Jen G says

    June 14, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    If you’re thinking that sounds like too much ketchup, it is. I made a half batch and only used 3/4 of the ketchup (8oz instead of 12). I’m glad it was only a half batch. Next time I’ll try 1/4 of the ketchup and add more if it needs it

    Reply
  4. Terisa says

    June 7, 2020 at 9:09 pm

    Why does it only last 2 weeks in frig? I need one that lasts a month or more.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      June 8, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      It could last longer than 2 weeks, depending on the freshness of your ingredients.👌🏻

      Reply
    • Tammy says

      July 15, 2020 at 10:48 am

      It is great and I love that it has things that I can pronounce and I can eat thanks

      Reply
      • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

        July 17, 2020 at 6:17 am

        Yay, Tammy!

        Reply
  5. Jennifer Howard says

    June 3, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    We’ve been keto for about 3 years, and always leary of rave reviews that you can’t tell the difference…My non-keto son loves Sweet Baby Ray’s the best, and often dislikes attempts I make at ketofied foods. This was amazing. He loved it, said it would fool any regular person, and was about as close to Sweet Baby Ray’s as you could get. We all enjoyed it, and after testing this it does not spike my glucose at all. It’s a win win, and will be staple in my fridge. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howard says

      June 3, 2020 at 3:19 pm

      Sorry for being unclear – I used a brown sugar subst, Erythritol/Monkfruit blend, and the result of this was amazing. I realize it was not intended to be a keto recipe.

      Reply
      • Loretta Messer says

        March 6, 2021 at 4:53 pm

        5 stars
        I used Truvia brown sugar because I’m on the ketogenic diet and my oldest daughter is a diabetic. She loves Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ. She didn’t know the difference until after she her ribs. She was surprised and delighted :o)

        Reply
        • Loretta Messer says

          March 6, 2021 at 4:55 pm

          Sorry, it was after she ate her ribs that I told is was a homemade copycat!

          Reply
        • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

          March 9, 2021 at 8:15 am

          Yay! That is so great to hear.💖

          Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      June 3, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Jennifer!💖 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.🙏🏻

      Reply
  6. Marcia Sam says

    April 18, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    What if you don’t have liquid smoke? What can you use as a substitute?

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      April 19, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Marcia! You can leave it out, and it’ll still be good. Just won’t have a smoky flavor, but still very tasty.

      Reply
    • Lynn says

      May 5, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      Omit it then

      Reply
  7. VAnessa says

    February 6, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    I can’t wait to make this! Does it freeze well?

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      February 7, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      I have not frozen it, but a couple others have written in and said it freezes well. It may separate a little when it is thawed, just just stir it back together. Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Suzanne says

    February 6, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Thanks for sharing! It would be fun to make as a gift and put in a pretty bottle!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      February 7, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      What a great idea!

      Reply
  9. Suzanne says

    February 6, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    This looks so good! What a great way to make without the preservatives!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      February 7, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks Suzanne!

      Reply
  10. Shanda Klodzinski says

    December 3, 2019 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    I went to the fridge to find out one of the children (or hubs) left an empty Sweet Baby Ray’s bottle in the door. All of the spices in your recipe are things I keep on hand. I had one cup of ketchup and a bottle of banana sauce to work with. I was already smoking meat when I discovered I did not have the liquid smoke so I set a cup under the drip pan to get some of that. your recipe is amazing!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      December 4, 2019 at 9:56 am

      That is some great feedback! Glad you enjoyed it.💖

      Reply
      • Cor says

        January 27, 2020 at 4:31 pm

        What’s the lifespan this sauce can be kept for?

        Reply
        • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

          January 28, 2020 at 8:14 am

          Hi Cor! I estimate at least two weeks, just to be on the safe side. It is possible it may last longer.

          Reply
  11. Sylvia wojnicki says

    October 19, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    Loved this recipe. I’m just wondering if all of the ingredients are stable at room temp, when I p[ut it all together and boil it, why will it only last 2 weeks in the fridge?

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      October 20, 2019 at 3:01 pm

      Hi Sylvia! You could likely keep it longer than that. I’d say two weeks minimum.

      Reply
  12. Kate says

    August 18, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    This is wonderful! thank you.. has anyone tried freezing this?

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      August 19, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      I have not tried freezing it. The only potential issue I might see with that would be the solids and liquids separating out a little bit. I would think a good stir or shake should mix it all back up, though. Let me know if you try it.

      Reply
  13. Irma says

    July 11, 2019 at 1:56 am

    Hi im from the Netherlands and sweet baby rays is a bit hard to find around here. I wanted to try your recipe but if i compare it to other recipes, yours uses twice the amount of ketchup. also it says that it makes about two cups but a 24oz bottle is already more than 2 cups right? Are you sure your measurements are correct? If so i will definitely try this for my next barbecue. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      July 11, 2019 at 1:51 pm

      Hi Irma! Yep, that is correct. It may make slightly over 2 cups. The other ingredients don’t add too much volume, and some of the liquids reduce/ evaporate with cooking. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
    • Steve says

      August 20, 2019 at 9:18 am

      Remember that the 24 oz of ketchup is a measurement of weight not volume, so it actually might be a lot closer to 2 cups aka 16 0z by volume. Water is the only thing where oz of weight and oz of volume are the same

      Reply
  14. Yvonne Detres says

    June 8, 2019 at 2:19 pm

    Awesome.. people dont know how to take things as they come..just have fun and enjoy..everyone has their own way of making things that they like..I thank you for your bbq sauce..

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      June 8, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you Yvonne!💖 LOL. Yep, it’s weird how some people apparently get suuuuper triggered by recipe ingredients.😜😂🤷🏼‍♀️ I hope you enjoy it!😘

      Reply
  15. Leonie Neylon says

    March 6, 2019 at 2:14 am

    5 stars
    Thanks so much. I made my own ketchup as I had heaps of tomatoes and then made this. Divine ness.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      March 6, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Yum! I bet that made it extra yummy.

      Reply
  16. Christy says

    October 23, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe yields the most delicious BBQ sauce! Sweet and smoky, just like sweet baby Ray’s!

    Reply
  17. Pat says

    October 8, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    You say 1 Bottle Bottle of ketchup. What size bottle??

    Reply
  18. Paula says

    August 14, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    Can this sauce be canned?

    Reply
    • Emily says

      August 3, 2019 at 6:49 am

      I just compared this recipe to some others approved for canning, and I don’t see any ingredients that would make it not suitable for canning. However, I have only been canning for less than a week, and have no idea what processing time to use. But I do plan on trying to can it!

      Reply
  19. Linda says

    July 12, 2018 at 11:28 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds easy enough 4 me, super excited to try it tomorrow

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      July 16, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      Hope you enjoy Linda!

      Reply
  20. Susan P Boyer says

    July 9, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    hate to tell ya, but organic ketchup is just tomato sauce, vinegar, salt, some spices. you could easily sub
    tomato sauce and salt to taste, then taste and make sure the salt to sugar ratio was to your personal tastes. Molasses could be added as well, and cut back on the brown sugar (which is just cane sugar mixed with molasses anyway). also, Sweet BAby Ray’s does NOT contain molasses – it is High fructose corn syrup, number one ingredient – source, https://www.sweetbabyrays.com/Sauces/Barbecue-Sauces/Original-Barbecue-Sauce
    Quit being a troll and do some research for once

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      July 9, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      With all due respect, I stand by the recipe.🙌🏻 It’s delicious just as it is, and plenty of people agree with me. No HFCS was one of my goals for this recipe, which is why I did not include it. The intention was to make SBR-tasting sauce (sweet and smoky) with ingredients I like better. I have zero issues with using ketchup or brown sugar. If you do, I’m 100% cool with that.😎 I’m not trying to convince you of anything, nor am I attached to you approving of my recipes. 💁🏼‍♀️

      Reply
      • Renee says

        September 22, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        Good answer. I appreciate that you posted the recipe. I am interested in making healthier less expensive food.

        Reply
    • Denise D Opuni says

      December 25, 2018 at 6:33 pm

      4 stars
      That was annoying. You picked apart the recipe for no good reason.

      Reply
    • Dharma eyer says

      April 13, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      Susan p boyer is an illiterate, bored, and lonely hack. She should stay offline and work on herself.
      She’s got a lot of ugly on board. Maybe finding Jesus might serve her too. Lol

      Thanks for sharing this recipe, @APinchofHealthy
      Those of us that can read and think appreciate this recipe without HFCS and artificial colors.
      We’ve made it with and without ketchup. It’s great no matter what.
      My next item is to find liquid smoke without Carmel coloring in it.
      Cheers foodies!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        August 10, 2020 at 4:26 am

        Most of the comments to Susan were uncalled for, Why do you think it is your right to criticize her. Your comments sound very judgmental. The author took care of it and it was her right to do so. If you meet “ugly” with kindness and understanding you will get better results most of the tim!

        Reply
    • Brittany Rose says

      May 5, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      Wow Susan, no reason to be a total jerk. Who peed in your cornflakes?! I am trying this recipe tonight! I sure it’s fantastic. Too bad I can’t post a video eating it while flipping you the bird.

      Reply
    • Ken says

      May 11, 2020 at 12:17 am

      If you buy C&H it is real brown sugar. If you buy cheap imitations it is sugar and Molasses. Sorry De de delete

      Reply
  21. Staci @ anewstaci.blogspot.com says

    September 2, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    The sauce is the boss! 🙂 We love SBR.

    Reply

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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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