This Trader Joe’s BBQ Sauce Recipe is a sweet and tangy recipe, which is made with ketchup and apple cider vinegar. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 25 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s BBQ Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
How To Make Trader Joe’s BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, vinegar, water, brown sugar, tamari, mustard, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes, or until thickened.
- Store: Season to taste and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Tips
- How to adjust the sweetness/tanginess? This sauce is easily customizable. For a sweeter sauce, add a little more brown sugar. For a tangier sauce, add a splash more apple cider vinegar.
- How can I make it spicy? To add some heat, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce along with the other spices.
- Can I use a different type of sugar? Yes, you can substitute the brown sugar with an equal amount of maple syrup or honey for a different kind of sweetness.
- How do I get a thicker sauce? For a thicker sauce, simply let it simmer for a few extra minutes until it has reduced to your desired consistency.
What To Serve With BBQ Sauce
This classic sauce is a perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes.
- Pulled pork or chicken sandwiches
- Grilled ribs, burgers, or hot dogs
- As a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets or french fries
- As a base for a BBQ chicken pizza
How To Store BBQ Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
BBQ Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Sugar: 10g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Tamari is a type of Japanese soy sauce that is typically made without wheat, making it a great gluten-free option. Regular soy sauce can be used as a direct substitute if you don’t need the sauce to be gluten-free.
Yes, you can. For a fresher flavor, you could sauté 1/4 cup of finely minced onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic in a little oil before adding the other ingredients.
Yes, it’s excellent for grilling. Brush it onto your meat during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent the sugar in the sauce from burning over the high heat.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s BBQ Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes20
minutes50
kcalA perfectly balanced homemade BBQ sauce with sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory flavors that’s super easy to make and keeps for weeks.
Ingredients
1½ cups ketchup
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup water
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp each of garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- For a gluten-free sauce, be sure to use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- This is a great base recipe; feel free to adjust the spices to your personal taste.
- This homemade version allows you to control the sugar and salt content compared to store-bought sauces.
