How to Prepare the Perfect BBQ Sauce for Burgers in 3 Easy Steps

Whether you’re eating chicken wings or burgers – barbecue sauce will be a perfect addition to the table. This sweet and sometimes spicy sauce is beloved by many, and we’re here to teach you to prepare it yourself.

So, if you ever wondered how to make bbq sauce at home, you’re about to learn.

And don’t worry; it won’t take long to make. Our homemade BBQ sauce is ready in about 15 minutes and doesn’t require much knowledge in the kitchen. So, wait no more and make it yourself! 

Or, to see how we do it, visit the best fast-food restaurant in Brickell and South Beach, FL – Burgermeister. Our burgers will leave you speechless 

and wanting more!

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Creating the perfect BBQ sauce for burgers comes down to finding the right mix of ingredients. Yes, everything we add will make a difference. We’ve picked every item on this list carefully and, through trial and error, came up with what we believe is the perfect barbecue sauce.

We know you’ll love it, too, so check out the ingredients list and learn how to make BBQ sauce yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Ketchup
• 1 1/2 cups Brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp Paprika
• 1 1/2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 tbsp Dry minced onion
• 1 tbsp Dry minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp Cayenne (or more)
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

Learning how to make BBQ sauce isn’t a long process if you have the right ingredients. If you’ve prepared everything from the list above, the instructions will be the easy part.

Step 1

Find a saucepan you’ll use to make the sauce. In it, combine all the ingredients you have prepared.

Step 2

Bring the mix to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low.

Step 3

Pour the sauce into an airtight container and store it for later.

Notes

• To make the sauce thicker, leave it on the stove a bit longer, or use less water. If you’re aiming for something way thicker, add cornstarch or flour.
• To make the sauce thinner, you should add more water or other liquids. Vinegar and Worcestershire will thin the sauce too, but also change the flavor significantly. Using water is your safest bet if you wish to only change the density of the sauce.
• Some people always want the sauce to be spicier. If you’re one of them, add more cayenne to the mix. It’s sure to raise the hotness.

Barbecue Sauce FAQs

What are the main components of homemade BBQ sauce?

The main components give the sauce its flavor. They are the source of sweetness and spice, along with every other note you feel along the way. When it comes to our bbq sauce for burgers – ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and apple cider vinegar are the base. Garlic and onion are there to boost the flavor and give it a recognizable aroma.

How to thicken BBQ sauce?

Simply cooking the sauce a bit longer will make it thicker. Still, if you wish for something radically different, add a pinch of flour or cornstarch. The recipe above is perfect for burgers, but if you need a bbq glaze, the flour trick may give the results you’re seeking.

What gives BBQ sauce its flavor?

Smoked and grilled meats are where barbecue sauce shines brightest. Its acidity pairs well with these flavors and comes from the vinegar on the ingredient list. Combined with the sweetness of ketchup, the blend works even better. And, of course, cayenne is the reason this sauce has the spice kick we all love. 

Barbecue Sauce Variations

Your taste may be different than ours, so you prefer the sauce to have a modified flavor. Luckily, there are simple ways to create variations that are just as amazing as our original recipe. 

• Hot sauce

If spice is your thing and cayenne isn’t doing it, try adding hot sauce to reach the hotness you’re seeking.

• Honey and lemon

This combo will make your BBQ sauce for burgers a bit sweeter but also add some citrus tang. Just two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice will be enough to make the sauce into a different creation.

• Maple BBQ sauce

Simply replace half of the brown sugar with maple syrup, and you’ll get a different variation of our signature sauce. Using authentic maple syrup is a no-brainer.

• Honey BBQ sauce

Use honey instead of brown sugar and see if it’s a flavor you prefer.

• Bourbon or rum kick

Adding bourbon or rum will give the sauce a real kick. Use 1/4 cup vinegar this time, and add 1/4 cup of your preferred alcohol.

• Smoked paprika

Most likely, you’ll use this sauce with meat. That’s why adding a smoky component can bring out some hidden notes you’ll enjoy. Add smoked paprika and 1/2 of liquid smoke and taste the difference.

How to Store BBQ Sauce

Once you’re done cooking, let the sauce cool completely. Then, transfer your creation to an airtight container. We recommend using a mason jar. To store, leave the jar in the fridge and use it in the next two weeks.

If you’ve made too much and can’t use it all in the next couple of weeks, feel free to freeze the sauce. Leave some space in the jar, and don’t fill it to the top, then leave it in the freezer. The sauce will be good for at least another three months.

How to Use Barbecue Sauce

The title calls this creation the perfect bbq sauce for burgers. However, that’s not the only dish you can enhance with this addition. Check out alternative ways to enjoy our homemade sauce.

• Chicken

There are plenty of options here. Chicken wings are the obvious answer. Who doesn’t love bbq wings? It’s a favorite all around the country, and they’ll taste even better when the sauce is homemade.

Pulled, grilled, and baked chicken are also worth considering and are a decent match for our sauce.

• All kinds of beef

Ribs and barbecue sauce are perfect together. There’s no denying that. Still, you can use this recipe with all kinds of beef. If you have a slow cooker, the options are unlimited. 

• Pork

Pulled pork is our favorite variation. Ribs and brisket are also fan favorites, but to us, there’s something special about the pulled pork and bbq sauce combo.

• Turkey

Smoked turkey and barbecue sauce – if you’ve never had it, it’s time to try. Once you taste this perfection, you won’t stop having it.

• Pizza

BBQ sauce pizza may sound add to some folks, but only if they’ve never had it before. It’s a combo we didn’t know we needed, but definitely a match worth giving a shot.

Visit Burgermeister

If you wish to try the best burgers in Florida, check out the burger bar Burgermeister. Our guests keep coming back for more, and once you check out our menu, you’ll do the same thing.