What are the basic components of BBQ sauce?

The base ingredients in a traditional BBQ sauce are tomato (usually ketchup), a sweetener like brown sugar, and an acidic component like vinegar . Our 3 ingredient BBQ sauce captures these essentials for that perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory.

How to make a barbecue sauce easy?

It doesn’t get easier than this: Mix 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl. No cooking required. This 3 ingredient BBQ sauce takes just 5 minutes and is great for any meal.

What are the ingredients in original BBQ sauce?

The original BBQ sauces were a mix of vinegar, tomato, and sugar , often simmered with spices. Our 3 ingredient BBQ sauce simplifies this while keeping the authentic southern BBQ flavor.

What is the secret ingredient in BBQ sauce?

Many chefs say the “secret” is balance. But if you're enhancing your 3 ingredient BBQ sauce , a dash of smoked paprika or Worcestershire can take it to the next level without complicating the recipe.

What gives BBQ sauce its flavor?

It’s all about the balance between sweet, sour, and savory . In this recipe, ketchup gives the umami base, brown sugar sweetens, and apple cider vinegar brings the tang. Add-ins like garlic powder or hot sauce can boost the profile even more.

What are the three main components of a sauce?

In culinary terms, sauces usually consist of a base (ketchup), flavoring (sugar), and acid (vinegar) . This 3 ingredient BBQ sauce delivers all three in perfect harmony—no thickeners or extras required.

Super Simple 3 Ingredient BBQ Sauce

Name: Super Simple 3 Ingredient BBQ Sauce - 30minrecipes
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Gather your ingredients:
Ensure ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar are measured and ready.
Mix it up:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Whisk until smooth and sugar is fully dissolved.
Adjust to taste:
Add more sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tang.
Serve or store:
Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight jar for up to 7 days.

Notes

For a smoky flavor, add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke.
Make it spicy by adding hot sauce or cayenne.
Want it thinner? Stir in 1 teaspoon water at a time until desired consistency.

Equipments May Need:

Author: Leona
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (no-cook)
Category: Sauce / Condiment
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (approx. 15g)
Calories: 40 kcal per tablespoon
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 150 mg (approx.)
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 9–10 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg