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Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes » 2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce (So Easy!)

2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce (So Easy!)

Published: Jun 5, 2023 by Lynn Polito · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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Whether you're grilling succulent ribs, tender chicken, or smoky vegetables, this 2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce is the secret weapon that will take your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary! This is just a base recipe too! We've also have lots of options for more ingredients to add to your barbecue sauce!

The sauce in the mason jar is shown.

When you are in a pinch and realize that you don't have barbecue sauce at home, this homemade bbq sauce recipe is for you! Use it on ribs, pressure cooker pulled bbq chicken, little smokies, chicken thighs, as a dipping sauce on game day, chicken drumsticks, or in your favorite recipes!

You won't believe how fast this easy recipe comes together with ingredients you already have in your house! No need to run to the grocery store for a bottle of bbq sauce, we're making it at home! The best bbq sauce is made at home with just 2 simple ingredients!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients to Gather
  • How To Make 2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce
  • Optional Add Ins
  • Storage Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients to Gather

The ingredients for the 2 ingredient barbecue sauce are laid out.
  • Ketchup. You favorite variety. Ketchup is basically a sweetened tomato sauce with spices already in it, so we don't need many more ingredients.
  • Brown sugar. This homemade barbecue sauce recipe is for a sweet barbecue sauce. If you prefer a tangy barbecue sauce, read on for more options!

See printable recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make 2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce

The brown sugar and ketchup are mixed together in a saucepan.
Step 1: In a small saucepan, add the ketchup and brown sugar. Turn the heat on medium-low heat.
The mixture is mixed together.
Step 2: Cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes whatever cooking time is needed for the sauce to come together, stirring consistently with a wooden spoon. Let the sauce cool and store in mason jars.

Optional Add Ins

This basic barbecue sauce sauce is sweet and tasty just the way it is, but if you prefer a more tangy flavor, here are some different ways to kick up the sauce!

  • Apple cider vinegar. Add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
  • Worcestershire Sauce. This will give the sauce a more savory flavor, but it is a classic ingredient. Add 1 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Yellow mustard. For added spice and tangy, use ¼ cup of yellow mustard.
  • Hot sauce. For a spicy bbq sauce, add as much of your favorite hot sauce as your family likes for a kicked up sauce!
  • Soy sauce. Just like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or coconut amino will add a savory flavor to the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon.
  • Spices. Add a sprinkle of black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or onion powder to the mixture based on your taste.

Storage Tips

Once the barbecue sauce has cooled, place it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. My favorite way to store sauces is in a mason jar.

You can even freeze this sauce! Pour the sauce into a freezer bag or a freezer safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you are ready to defrost it, pull it out of the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator.

A red brush is removing some sauce from the mason jar.

Serving Suggestions

  • On pizza. Use your favorite pizza dough (like sourdough pizza dough, instant pot pizza dough, or beer pizza dough) and slather this sauce on it. Top it with chicken and mozzarella for a delicious bbq chicken pizza.
  • In slow cooker meals. Pulled chicken or pulled pork is delicious in the slow cooker. Add this simple recipe to the meat with a cup of water and you'll have mouthwatering meat to serve on sourdough hamburger buns.
  • As a basting sauce. When grilling, use this sauce to baste your chicken, burgers, or even veggies.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use this in place of my favorite bbq sauce?

Yes! Anywhere you would use sweet baby ray or your favorite bbq sauce, use this sauce!

Can I use this as a dipping sauce?

Yes! You will want to add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the mixture to thin it out. Use it with cocktail wieners, French fries, little smokies, or even chicken nuggets.

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Did you love this recipe? If you did, please leave a 5 ⭐️ rating below! Follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

The sauce in the mason jar is shown.

2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce

Whether you're grilling succulent ribs, tender chicken, or smoky vegetables, this 2 Ingredient Barbecue Sauce is the secret weapon that will take your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary! Plus, we've also have lots of options for more ingredients to add to your barbecue sauce!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 Servings
Calories: 45kcal
Author: Lynn Polito

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring Cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 cup Ketchup

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, add the brown sugar and ketchup. Cook on medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes or until the mixture has melted together.
  • Add any extra seasonings you would like at this time. Remove the sauce from the heat and serve or chill in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Keep the sauce stored in a mason jar or an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
  • Optional Add ins:
    • Apple cider vinegar. Add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
    • Worcestershire Sauce. This will give the sauce a more savory flavor, but it is a classic ingredient. Add 1 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
    • Yellow mustard. For added spice and tangy, use ¼ cup of yellow mustard.
    • Hot sauce. For a spicy bbq sauce, add as much of your favorite hot sauce as your family likes for a kicked up sauce!
    • Soy sauce. Just like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or coconut amino will add a savory flavor to the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon.
    • Spices. Add a sprinkle of black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or onion powder to the mixture based on your taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.01g | Saturated Fat: 0.001g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LynnsWayofLife or tag #lynnswayoflife!
« Soft Sourdough Hamburger Buns
3 Ingredient Apple Muffins (with Cake Mix!) »

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Hey there! I'm Lynn and I'm based just outside of Boston. I'm a wife and mom of two with a passion for cooking and creating homemade food for my family.

Whether it's creating new recipes, or exploring tried and true classics, I am constantly trying to show that homemade doesn't have to be hard

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