Texas-Style BBQ Sauce

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes

1-3/4 cups

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
We love a Texas BBQ sauce with all the right moves: ketchup, mustard, lemon juice, chili powder, Worcestershire and brown sugar. —Sandy Klocinski, Summerville, South Carolina
Texas-Style BBQ Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

Texas-Style BBQ Sauce Tips

What makes Texas BBQ sauce different?

So many regional BBQ sauces, so little time! Texas BBQ sauce stands apart from others with bold, spicy, smoky flavors and a thin texture. Learn more about regional BBQ sauce styles.

How should I use this Texas BBQ sauce?

Saucing before or after cooking—that is the question. It’s all a matter of taste. Serve this tangy sauce on the side after grilling or smoking brisket, chicken or pork shoulder. Brushing the sauce on the meat at the end of grilling will create a sweet and spicy caramelized finish. Put your Texas BBQ sauce to good use on these pulled pork sliders or smoked brisket.

How do you make BBQ sauce from scratch without ketchup?

Replacing ketchup with tomato sauce will still create a yummy barbecue sauce but it might need a few ingredients to amp up the flavor. Try adding a little molasses for a deep, lightly sweet flavor as well as cider vinegar to add a little tang.

Research contributed by Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager

Nutrition Facts

2 tablespoons: 56 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.