BBQ Sauce
An Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce with a smoky and sweet flavor profile, this BBQ sauce requires no fancy ingredients and is simple enough to let the kids help make – perfect for a homemade Father’s Day gift!
Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe
Every year, I try to come up with a unique Father’s Day gift idea that all of my daycare kids can make.
Most of our kids are in the daycare for at least 3 years, so I try not to repeat the same gifts so that the dads receive something different each year, and as the ages and interests of my group changes, I try to pick things that everyone can help make and will be excited to make.
My current crew love helping to make lunches or bake treats with me. A few are pretty mess-averse and don’t like crafting, so a homemade treat for dad was the perfect solution.
This BBQ sauce is super simple for kids to help make. All of the ingredients just get stirred together and then need to be gently heated on the stove for less than 5 minutes.
There’s not a ton of ingredients to keep track of, but there’s enough that every child can have one or two turns adding in their own “special ingredient.”
The flavor profile is smoky and sweet with just a little bit of kick, so the kids will also be able to enjoy anything that this BBQ sauce ends up slathered on.
Can I microwave this BBQ sauce instead of heating on the stove? Yes, you can cover and heat this sauce in a microwave-safe bowl in one minute increments. Stir well in between each reheating until all ingredients are completely combined and the sauce appears to have thickened.
How long does this BBQ Sauce last? Since we are not canning this sauce, it needs to be kept in the fridge after preparing. It can be kept in the fridge for up to one month before any texture or flavor loss occurs. You can also freeze the BBQ sauce in an airtight freezer bag or your favorite freezer containers.
More Father’s Day Gift Ideas
- Father’s Day Cards Kids Can Make
- 18 Handmade Father’s Day Gifts
- Giant Rice Krispie Hershey Kiss
- Ranch Pretzels
- Soccer Ball Craft
- Chocolate-Dipped OREO Golf Balls
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Minced Garlic
- Brown Sugar, to taste
- Ketchup
- Liquid Smoke, optional <– this is the brand I use, it has a great subtle flavor and imparts a natural smoky taste
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Vinegar <– we used apple cider vinegar, but plain white vinegar will work
- BBQ Sauce
- Water, as needed
- Onion Powder, optional
- Chilli Powder, optional <– can use a teaspoon of chilli paste
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: this recipe makes 1 jar of BBQ sauce. Increase the ingredients as needed to make more jars, as needed.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Large Stockpot
- Liquid Measuring Cup with Spout
- Mason Jars
- Baking Twine, optional embellishment
How to Make BBQ Sauce with Kids
Measure out all of the ingredients and have the children take turns adding ingredients into the stockpot.
They can stir after every addition, if desired, but it doesn’t need stirring until the cooking phase.
Place the stockpot over medium heat and warm the mixture through, stirring occasionally.
The sauce is done when all ingredients are completely combined and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 5 minutes.
Allow the BBQ sauce to cool completely before pouring into individual mason jars. Secure the mason jar lids and add additional gift embellishments, as desired.
Pin this Fun Father’s Day Gift Idea for the kids to help make:
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BBQ Sauce
This sweet and smoky BBQ sauce is super simple for kids to help make. All of the ingredients just get stirred together and then need to be gently heated on the stove for less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, or more to taste
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke, optional
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon BBQ Sauce
- 1/8 cup Water, as needed
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, optional
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Powder, optional
Instructions
- Measure out all of the ingredients and have the children take turns adding ingredients into the stockpot.
- They can stir after every addition, if desired, but it doesn't need stirring until the cooking phase.
- Place the stockpot over medium heat and warm the mixture through, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce is done when all ingredients are completely combined and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Allow the BBQ sauce to cool completely before pouring into individual mason jars. Secure the mason jar lids and add additional gift embellishments, as desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 27Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 107mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your kids love getting to make their own BBQ sauce – whether for Father’s Day or a special family BBQ!
For more homemade pantry staples, check out our full pantry staples recipe collection here:
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