BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork
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Pork is always tasty, but when it’s bathed in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce for pulled pork and then slow-cooked until it falls apart, it ascends to a whole new level! Strands of tender pork are the perfect canvas to soak up the smoky, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors of rich BBQ sauce. Who needs to go to a smokehouse when you can make a hickory BBQ sauce in your own kitchen?!
BBQ sauce is a classic for a reason — that balance of sweetness, tang, smokiness, and savory depth just works, especially with pork. This homemade BBQ sauce is designed specifically for pulled pork, with a bold, vinegar-forward flavor that cuts through rich meat and makes every bite pop. Whether you’re piling it onto BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, pizza, or even rolling it into pulled pork enchiladas, it brings everything into focus.
What I love most is how quickly it comes together and how much better it tastes than anything from a bottle. In about 15 minutes, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and chili powder simmer into something glossy and deeply flavorful. Molasses adds that dark, rounded sweetness, while a small splash of liquid smoke delivers real BBQ character without firing up a smoker.
It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and unapologetically pork-friendly — the kind of sauce that clings beautifully to pulled pork and makes simple meals feel intentional. Once you’ve made it once, it’s hard to go back to store-bought.
Other ways to use bbq sauce for pulled pork
If you have leftovers, here are three things you can make:
- Chili: Add a dollop (or two) into a chili to make it deliciously smoky.
- Ribs: Baste this onto pork ribs and get ready to lick your fingers clean!
- Pizza sauce: Slather it onto some pizza dough and add your favorite toppings! Our favorite combo is with chicken, green peppers, red onion slices, and bacon bits for a bbq chicken pizza.
Recipe FAQs
Can I omit the liquid smoke if I don’t have any?
If you don’t have liquid smoke, this barbecue sauce will still taste great. However, the final taste will be less smoky, of course! There isn’t an easy substitute to get the same smoky flavor, but you could add smoked paprika for a subtle smokiness.
How much BBQ sauce for pulled pork?
If you’re making our BBQ pulled pork recipe, I recommend using 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce with a 3-4 lb piece of pork shoulder.
How do I store BBQ sauce for pulled pork?
Store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. You can also put it in the freezer for up to three months.
BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses
- 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder
- 12 drops liquid smoke
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients in a small pot over medium-high heat.2 cups ketchup, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses, 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder, 12 drops liquid smoke
- Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Prop the lid over the pot to prevent splatters but do not cover the pot completely.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the bbq sauce to cool before using or storing it.
Notes
Nutrition
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Thank you for the amazing review!!
This sauce is crazy delicious. I can’t believe you can pack that much flavour into a sauce in less than 15 minutes!
Yay! I’m happy to hear it was a hit!
This is an incredible homemade BBQ sauce, so bold and flavorful with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy! Thanks for the recipe, I’ll definitely be making this again ASAP 🙂
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
This is a really great bbq sauce. I love the liquid smoke in there. Delicious!
I’m so happy you like the recipe!