Homemade Tennessee BBQ Sauce

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My homemade Tennessee BBQ sauce is smoky, sweet, and made with wholesome ingredients. You can whip it up in under 2 minutes—no cooking required! It’s my take on our favorite local BBQ restaurant’s red sauce here in Nashville. I hope this recipe replaces store-bought BBQ sauce in your house like it has in ours!

What is Tennessee BBQ sauce?

Tennessee barbecue sauce, specifically Nashville barbecue sauce, is smoky, tangy, and sweet. It has a good thickness to it with a ketchup and apple cider vinegar base.

What makes Tennessee BBQ sauce different?

Nashville barbecue sauce is much more smoky than the surrounding barbecue sauces in the region.

My Inspiration Behind This Recipe

There’s a whole hog BBQ restaurant here in Nashville that my husband and I eat at often when we go out for date night. It’s the kind of place we take our friends and family when they come to visit. It’s just that dang good, and they serve my favorite BBQ sauce I’ve ever had.

The sauce is smoky, sweet, and savory. The combo works perfectly! So after eating it for a few years, I decided it was time to try making it at home. I’m so excited to share it with you!

Why We Love This Tennessee Red BBQ Sauce

1. No whiskey bbq sauce: This sauce is kid-friendly with no alcohol added.
2. Only takes 2 minutes: You can whip this recipe up in just minutes, it’s perfect if you’re in a rush.
3. No heating necessary: You can warm this sauce but it’s optional.
4. Made with wholesome ingredients: Each ingredient is wholesome making this a good, clean BBQ sauce.
5. Better than store-bought: You don’t have any junky additives or colorings in this homemade sauce like you would in the store-bought.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Tennessee BBQ Sauce

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements

• ketchup: I only use an organic ketchup that has clean ingredients. Walmart’s organic Great Value ketchup is a great choice
• raw honey: raw, unfiltered honey is best
• apple cider vinegar: I like to get a raw apple cider vinegar with the mother
• cayenne pepper: adds a little spice but doesn’t make it too spicy
• sea salt: this is a great wholesome salt option
• ground black pepper: you can use freshly cracked or already ground
• smoked paprika: don’t swap this with regular paprika, it adds a little smokiness
• garlic powder: make sure it’s salt-free
• onion powder: make sure it’s salt-free

Substitutions & Variations

• Try 1 clove of fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a different flavor.
• Use tomato paste or tomato sauce for a different taste than ketchup.
• Swap the raw honey for pure maple syrup for a change of flavor.

Helpful Kitchen Tools to Make this Recipe

This section contains affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• small glass mixing bowl
• whisk
• Ball jar (I LOVE these for storing sauce!)

My Tips for Making Homemade BBQ Sauce

1. Read the entire recipe before you get started so you know what to expect.
2. Follow the recipe exactly how I’ve written it the first time you make it. I’ve developed and tested it many times to ensure it’s successful.
3. Use good quality, clean ingredient ketchup. It’s the base of this recipe, so you want to make sure it’s a good one. I like to use organic ketchup with few ingredients.
4. Store it in a glass airtight jar instead of plastic. This helps preserve the flavor.

How to Make Homemade Tennessee BBQ Sauce

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until fully combined.

Use right away, warm on the stove if desired, or pour into an airtight glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Do I have to use premade ketchup?

Not at all, you’re more than welcome to swap the pre-made ketchup for homemade or plain tomato sauce. You could also use tomato paste; I’ve done that before and it’s pretty good, but it alters the flavor a little.

Can I warm this BBQ sauce?

Yes! To warm the BBQ sauce, place it in a small saucepan over low-medium heat until it just begins to bubble.

Can I make this Tennessee barbecue sauce with whiskey?

I haven’t tried this, but you are more than welcome to. I would add just a little at a time and taste as you go. The more whiskey you add, the thinner it will get.

My Favorite Ways to Use Tennessee Barbecue Sauce

I absolutely love using this barbecue sauce on pizza and sandwiches. Here are a few of our favorite recipes and ways to use it:

• As a pizza sauce for BBQ chicken flatbread pizza.
• We use it as a dipping sauce for oven-fried chicken tenders.
• As a sauce on my smoky pulled chicken sliders.

Storage Instructions

Store homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight container, preferably glass, for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Be sure to stir before each use; separation can occur.

More Homemade Sauces To Try

If you’re looking for more sauce recipes to make at home, try a few of these:

• Alabama White BBQ Sauce 
• Homemade Honey Mustard 
• Homemade Buffalo Sauce
• Quick Marinara Sauce

If you made this recipe, give it a 5-star rating below and share a photo on your social media stories! Be sure to tag me @plumbranchhome. You can find our community on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest (all @plumbranchhome)