Name: Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup (high-quality); ½ cup brown sugar (dark preferred); ¼ cup molasses; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp yellow mustard; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste); ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper; Salt to taste; 1 tsp Optional: liquid smoke (for extra BBQ depth)

AuthorJake TaylorDifficultyBeginner

Yields1 Serving

Prep Time5 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time30 mins

🛒 Ingredients

1 cup ketchup (high-quality)

½ cup brown sugar (dark preferred)

¼ cup molasses

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp yellow mustard

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Salt to taste

1 tsp Optional: liquid smoke (for extra BBQ depth)

👨‍🍳 How to Make Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

Combine Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, add all ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Don’t worry if the sugar isn’t fully dissolved yet—heat will take care of that.

Simmer Low & Slow

Bring the mixture to a low simmer over medium heat. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The sauce should reduce slightly and thicken up into a glossy, sticky texture.

Taste & Adjust

Give it a taste. Want it spicier? Add more cayenne. A little more tang? Splash in extra vinegar. This is your signature sauce—make it sing your BBQ anthem.

Cool & Store

Let it cool, then pour into a mason jar or squeeze bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks—but odds are it won’t last that long.

Ingredients