Craving that bold, smoky BBQ flavor but don’t want to fuss with a long list of ingredients? This 3 ingredient barbecue sauce is the ultimate game-changer! No cooking, no complicated steps—just a perfectly balanced, finger-licking sauce that’s ready in seconds. Whether you’re grilling up burgers, chicken, beef, or pulled pork, this easy recipe will take your BBQ to the next level with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
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Why We Love This Recipe
We love having cookouts and outdoor barbecues and everyone knows BBQ is best enjoyed saucy, so here’s why you should make your own sauce:
- This easy barbecue sauce recipe has no vinegar or brown sugar for the BEST flavor! Instead, we use honey to create the ideal condiment for recipes for chicken tenderloin, dutch oven pulled pork, or crock pot chuck roast. It’s so delicious you’ll want to put it on everything!
- It’s no-cook! When it’s warm outside, the last thing you want to do is stir a pot over the stovetop. Instead, just mix up three simple ingredients (or leave out the Worcestershire for a two ingredient BBQ sauce) and it’s ready.
Plus, if you’re like me and often find out that someone used up the last of the store-bought barbecue sauce, you’ll love knowing you can make this super simple recipe with ingredients right from the fridge and pantry at any time!
Love easy sauces and dips? Then check out our spicy honey mustard recipe, mango chili sauce, and roasted red peppers dip.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ketchup is the base of this recipe. Use a high-quality brand for a really rich flavor.
- Honey provides the sweetness for the perfect taste and rich texture. You could substitute with corn syrup, agave syrup, or molasses for a deep flavor,
- Worcestershire gives a smoky and tangy flavor. There’s no good substitute for this, but if you’re out of Worcestershire, a half teaspoon of soy sauce would be the best substitute, or leave it out completely.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Honey BBQ Sauce
- Add 1 teaspoon of chili pepper paste to give a bit of a kick.
- If you don’t have chili pepper paste, substitute 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot chili powder. Alternatively, substitute 2 teaspoons of Tabasco.
Hickory BBQ Sauce
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid hickory smoke flavoring for a smokey hickory taste.
How To Make BBQ Sauce Without Brown Sugar
Making this recipe is so fast and easy that you’ll find yourself making it over and over!
- Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl.
- Whisk the ingredients until they are smooth and the honey is completely mixed with the ketchup. This should take just 1-2 minutes with a wire whisk.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Note: To mix the honey easier, warm it up first. You can do this by putting it in a bowl of hot water or microwaving it for 5-15 seconds.
- Spread or spoon it over your favorite smoked chicken thighs, BBQ chicken dinner ideas, or favorite grilled meats.
Love easy condiments for your pantry like this recipe? Try our seasoning for corned beef!
Recipe FAQs
If you don’t have honey, you can use corn syrup, agave syrup, or even molasses as a substitute in our recipe.
Yes, this can be frozen. Pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to three months. To use it, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
You can use any ketchup for this recipe. Ketchup brands taste differently due to the blend of ingredients. I like using Heinz because it has a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
If you have leftover homemade barbecue sauce, add it to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
More BBQ Recipes To Love…
If you tried this 3 ingredient BBQ sauce or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
3 Ingredient BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- medium bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup honey (warmed honey is easier to mix)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
optional (spicy honey BBQ sauce)
- 1 teaspoon chili pepper paste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. I recommend warming your honey to make it easier to measure and mix. Note: To mix the honey easier, warm it up first. You can do this by putting it in a bowl of hot water or microwaving it for 5-15 seconds.
- Whisk the ingredients together until they smooth, and the honey is completely mixed in with the ketchup (1-2 minutes).
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Add 1 teaspoon of chili pepper paste to give a bit of a kick.
- If you don’t have chili pepper paste, substitute 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot chili powder. Alternatively, substitute 2 teaspoons of Tabasco.
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid hickory smoke flavoring for a smokey hickory taste.
Nutrition
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Harriet Young says
This is delicious and has just the right balance of flavour. And only 3 ingredients! Magic. Thank you
kushi says
I love this simple and easy BBQ sauce recipe. Thanks for sharing.