You can make this 3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce in two minutes! You'll love this ketchup-based sauce with honey and mustard. Use it as a condiment on sandwiches and burgers or to make barbecued ribs, chicken or pulled pork!
Have you ever panicked when noticing you're out of barbecue sauce? Or gotten overwhelmed by the mile-long list of ingredients on the bottle?
No worries! You can take a cue from my Nonna and make a simple BBQ sauce recipe using household ingredients. This version is inspired by hers.
It tastes delicious and will be ready in two minutes!
Recipe ingredients
This is a 3-ingredient BBQ sauce without Worcestershire or added vinegar. You simply need ketchup, mustard and honey!
Ketchup: It's the base of the sauce, so make sure it's one you like. I prefer to use Heinz Simply Tomato Ketchup, because it doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup.
Mustard: I always use Dijon mustard, which contains white wine and has a sharper taste than regular mustard. But regular mustard works well too. Just be sure to check the date so it won't expire soon.
Honey: This is where the magic happens! We did several taste tests with and without honey, trying various savory ingredients instead.
It became obvious that a 3-ingredient honey BBQ sauce was the winner! It brings sweetness and perfectly balances the acidity from the ketchup and the zing from the mustard.
How to make it
You just need to add ketchup, mustard and honey to a small bowl and whisk them together!
See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.
Recipe variations
- If you want the barbecue sauce to be sweeter, add more honey.
- If you prefer the sauce to be more tangy, add extra mustard.
- Of course, you can use additional ingredients, including seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder or even cayenne pepper for some heat.
Use it to make BBQ chicken
This easy BBQ sauce tastes delicious on chicken!
- Brush some onto boneless, skinless chicken thighs and bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.
- Use it for Cheesy BBQ Chicken Breasts baked at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until done.
- Make Once Upon a Chef's Grilled BBQ Chicken with it.
More ways to use 3-ingredient BBQ sauce
- Spread it on cheese-stuffed meatloaf.
- Add it to a homemade turkey lunch meat sandwich.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for Italian pork chops.
How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?
Store homemade BBQ sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Although this recipe is for a no-cook BBQ sauce, once you combine the ketchup, mustard and honey, the blended sauce doesn't last as long as the individual ingredients.
Can you freeze it?
You can freeze this honey BBQ sauce in a zip-top freezer bag for up to three months. Press out the air from the bag before sealing it. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
More condiment recipes
Enjoy!
If you try this 3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce recipe, please leave a comment and a rating!
3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup (I use Heinz Simply Tomato)
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, mustard and honey until blended.
- Use the sauce as a condiment or to make BBQ chicken, ribs, etc. Store the sauce in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to two weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C. Inspired by my Nonna's ketchup-based BBQ sauce she made throughout my childhood. A version of this was originally published as "Nonna's 4-Ingredient BBQ Chicken" on May 11, 2016.)
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
Nice, easy, flavorful-Thanks Nonna!!! Are they not the greatest-and I miss mine too. Mom was speaking about her the other day (because of Mother's Day I am sure). Fond memories, traditions carried doesn't get better than that Andrea! Have a great weekend! xo
Mamma C says
Nonnas are the best! Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Cheryl. Have a great weekend. xo
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Well, Andreuccia - I definitely agree that your nonna was in the kitchen with you these past few weeks...and how comforting is that thought?! This dish would be a favorite with my kids, too! Nothing like something so simple being a big hit!! Your nonna knew what she was doing! Just like you!
Mamma C says
Aw, no one has called me that in years! Yes, Nonna rocked it in the kitchen. Thanks, Annie!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
I love how simple this is, I could totally make this after a busy day, no problem!
Mamma C says
Absolutely! And really, if you don't say anything, no one will know that it was so darn easy. 🙂
Jill says
Simple recipes are usually the best recipes! 🙂
Mamma C says
I agree! It's one of the principles in Italian cooking, carried over to this American dish.
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
Ha, when I saw "Nonna's," I was not expecting that to be followed by BBQ chicken. Your nonna had range! 😉 I had a similar experience transcribing my Japanese grandmother's fried rice recipe earlier this year. I went to both my parents to ask how much shoyu was in the dish and they both made identical sweeping hand gestures to indicate how much, as though that told me anything.
This chicken looks so good. I can never seem to get BBQ chicken quite right, so I will have to give this one a try, especially since it uses ingredients I always keep on hand!
Mamma C says
Haha! She had range! I am cracking up about you trying to pin down a recipe from your parents, Tracy. Story of my life over here! 🙂
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
Love how simple the ingredients are for this BBQ chicken! I yummed this for later! Great recipe!
Mamma C says
Thanks, Cindy! This one really comes in handy when you haven't planned ahead.
Hanady says
Looks incredibly easy and delicious. I've had the same predicament... Recipes before blogs. It's hard to make it into an official recipe when it's just been in your head all these years.
Mamma C says
I know, right? Thanks, Hanady!