This Texas BBQ sauce recipe is a must-have for any barbecue enthusiast. Its combination of sweet and tangy flavors, with just a hint of spice makes it the perfect accompaniment for smoked brisket and other BBQ favorites.
What is Texas-Style BBQ Sauce?
Texas-style barbecue is known for its rich flavors and the sauce accompanying it is no exception. Texas BBQ sauce is typically more savory, and less sweet than other barbecue sauces. It's a tomato-based sauce with a slightly spicy and tangy flavor that perfectly complements grilled meats.
Unlike North Carolina BBQ Sauce, or other traditional bbq sauces that are made with ketchup, Texas-style barbecue sauce uses tomato paste, for an intense tomato flavor, and it doesn't contain liquid smoke - Texans prefer to get their smoky flavor from the grill.
Here in Texas, we like our meat to be the star of the show when it comes to BBQ, and often grill or smoke the meat with just a simple dry rub. But it's almost always served with a great BBQ sauce to enhance the flavor of the meat. Just how much (or how little) is poured over the meat is up to you.
Serve it up alongside your favorite potato salad and a dill pickle spear! And of course, enjoy a big slice of Texas sheet cake for dessert!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Great Taste: This Texas BBQ Sauce recipe has the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors with just a hint of spice. It's a classic sauce that goes well with any grilled meat or vegetable.
Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and 20 minutes of simmering, this recipe is quick to prepare. As a matter of fact, this homemade bbq sauce is so easy, you may never buy bottled sauce again!
Customizable: You can easily customize this sauce to your liking by adjusting the spice level, sweetness, or thickness.
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients, including measurements.
Tomato Paste - This thick, concentrated paste adds a rich, intense tomato flavor to the sauce. It's a key ingredient in Texas-style barbecue sauce and sets it apart from other BBQ sauces that use ketchup as a base.
Beef Broth - Beef broth adds savory flavor, but water can also be used.
Brown Sugar - Brown Sugar is the primary sweetener, adding a molasses flavor to the sauce. Use dark brown sugar for a stronger molasses flavor.
Honey - Adds a little more sweetness and a hint of floral flavor. If you don't want to use honey then you can substitute maple syrup, or just increase the brown sugar by 2 tablespoons.
Apple Cider Vinegar - This tangy vinegar adds a bit of acidity to the sauce, which helps balance the sweetness. White vinegar or red wine vinegar will also work.
Worcestershire Sauce - Worcestershire adds depth of flavor with its umami-rich ingredients.
Spices - The combination of spices in this recipe creates the signature smoky, slightly spicy flavor of Texas BBQ sauce. You could adjust the amount of each spice to your liking or add additional spices like cumin, cayenne pepper, coriander, or black pepper for extra flavor.
How to Make Texas Barbecue Sauce
It could not be more simple to make your homemade barbecue sauce!
- Just mix all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once it is boiling, reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- If you want your sauce thicker then continue simmering until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Once you have made this great sauce there are plenty of ways to enjoy it!
- Serve it Texas-style as a condiment with your smoked beef brisket or pork ribs.
- If you prefer to baste your meat, simply brush the sauce onto your meat during the last few minutes of grilling or smoking.
- Toss it with chopped meat for brisket or pork sandwiches.
- Spread it onto pizza dough and top with chopped chicken, red onions, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese for a tasty BBQ Chicken Pizza.
Storage Tips
Serve - You can use this sauce right away, but I recommend refrigerating it for at least 24 hours before using. The flavors meld over time and it is so good the next day!
Store - Transfer the cooled sauce to a mason jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze - If you don't expect to use the sauce within the 2-week shelf life, just put it in the freezer! It can be frozen in mason jars or in freezer bags and will be good for up to 3 months.
Thaw - Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator before serving.
Recipe FAQs
If you want to bring the heat, just add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Yes, as written this recipe has some sweetness. But if you prefer a sweeter sauce simply add more brown sugar. Or if a sweet flavor is not your style, simply reduce the sugar.
Recommended BBQ Recipes
Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!
Recipe
Texas BBQ Sauce Recipe
Recipe by:Ingredients
- 6 ounces tomato paste ¾ cup
- 1 ½ cups water or beef broth 360 ml
- ½ cup brown sugar 110 grams
- 2 tablespoon honey 42 grams
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 60 ml
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire 30 grams
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 10 grams
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients in a small saucepan until combined.6 ounces tomato paste, 1 ½ cups water or beef broth, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoon honey, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until thickened to your desired consistency.
- Turn off the burner and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a jar or airtight storage container and refrigerate.
Micah
Not bad at all, I prefer a little less sweet but this is a great sauce by itself or a great place to start and tweak to your liking.
Erin
Thanks, Micah! I'm glad you enjoyed the sauce.