Get ready to master the art of barbecue with our St. Louis BBQ Sauce recipe, a sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky delight that’s set to transform your grilling game.
This sauce is the perfect complement to any barbecue dish, especially those slow-cooked ribs and pulled pork that St. Louis is famous for.

Why You’ll Love it
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: This sauce strikes a delightful balance between sweet and tangy, with a touch of smokiness that enhances without overpowering.
- Versatile Use: Beyond just brushing it on ribs or brisket, you can use this sauce in burgers, as a dip, or even to spice up a meatloaf.
- Make It Your Own: The recipe is a fantastic base that invites personal tweaks, allowing you to adjust the sweetness or heat to match your personal taste.

Helpful Tips
- Simmer Slowly: Let your sauce simmer gently on the stove to meld the flavors together beautifully. This slow simmering also helps to reduce the sauce to the perfect consistency for basting or dipping.
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ketchup as your base—it’s the primary ingredient, and its quality will significantly impact the overall taste of your sauce.
- Adjust as You Go: Taste your sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasonings to find your ideal balance. More vinegar for tang, a touch more brown sugar for sweetness, or an extra splash of liquid smoke can make all the difference in achieving your perfect BBQ sauce.

St. Louis BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (180 g) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons (32 g) white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (20 g) molasses
- 1 tablespoon (17 g) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne pepper optional for heat
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk the ingredients together until well combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the St. Louis barbecue sauce to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Adjust the ingredients and seasonings to suit your taste.
- Simmer it slowly to develop flavor and not evaporate the liquid too quickly.
- Always use high-quality ingredients.
Nutrition
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Laura is a passionate home cook and grill enthusiast who has spent years perfecting her culinary skills, with a particular focus on grilling techniques and flavor combinations. Her fascination with the grill, smoke, and the mouthwatering results they produce has led her on an exciting journey to discover the best methods for grilling delicious and unforgettable meals.
Great barbecue sauce!
So glad to hear you liked it Cate!