Listen, I get it. You’ve fired up the grill, your meat is ready to go, and suddenly you realize you’re out of BBQ sauce. But before you grab your car keys or resign yourself to naked chicken, let me share a game-changing secret — you probably have everything you need for an amazing BBQ sauce right in your pantry. Seriously. Put down that bottle of store-bought sauce and forget everything you know about slaving over a hot stove. These 12 no-cook BBQ sauces come together in minutes, and I promise they’ll make your neighbors wonder what pro chef moved in next door.
1. Classic Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl
- Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth
- Store in an airtight container
Tips: Let sit for at least 30 minutes before using to allow flavors to meld. Keeps in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
2. Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until well combined
- Adjust honey to taste if needed
Tips: Perfect for chicken and pork. Bring to room temperature before using if refrigerated.
3. Spicy Asian BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined
- Let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop
Tips: Adjust sriracha amount for desired heat level. Great on ribs and grilled vegetables.
4. Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving
Tips: Traditional on smoked chicken but excellent on all grilled poultry and pork.
5. Pineapple Teriyaki BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
- Strain if desired for a smoother consistency
Tips: Excellent on ham and chicken. The natural enzymes in pineapple help tenderize meat.
6. Cilantro Lime BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
- ½ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 jalapeño, seeded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
- Adjust seasoning to taste
Tips: Perfect for fish and shrimp. Make extra to use as a marinade.
7. Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- ½ cup bourbon
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until well combined
- Let sit for 30 minutes to allow alcohol flavor to mellow
Tips: Best on beef and pork. The alcohol content remains, so label appropriately if serving to others.
8. Mango Habanero BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
- 1 habanero pepper, seeded
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
- Strain if desired for a smoother consistency
Tips: Adjust habanero amount carefully – they’re very hot! Great on chicken and fish.
9. Mediterranean BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until well combined
- Let sit for 15 minutes before using
Tips: Excellent on lamb and chicken. Also works great as a marinade.
10. Creamy Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
- Adjust seasoning and heat level to taste
Tips: Start with fewer chipotles and add more to taste. Great on burgers and grilled vegetables.
11. Thai Peanut BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Water to thin if needed
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth
- Add water gradually to reach desired consistency
Tips: Warm slightly if too thick. Excellent on chicken skewers and grilled shrimp.
12. Berry Balsamic BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: Makes 1½ cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Blend berries in a food processor until smooth
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve
- Whisk in remaining ingredients
Tips: Great on pork and duck. Use fresh berries when in season for best flavor.
