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    Home » Sauces & Condiments

    3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce

    Published: May 6, 2025 · Modified: May 14, 2025 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    pinnable image for 3-ingredient bbq sauce

    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!

    glass bowl of homemade bbq sauce with a silicone brush

    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, honey, mustard

    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!

    ketchup, mustard and honey in glass bowl with whisk

    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.
    glass bowl of homemade bbq sauce

    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

    • Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
    • Basil-Garlic Mayonnaise
    • Parsley Gremolata with Garlic
    • Compound Butter

    Enjoy!

    If you try this 3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce recipe, please leave a comment and a rating!

    glass bowl of homemade bbq sauce with a silicone brush

    3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce

    You'll love this easy BBQ sauce that's ready in two minutes! Use it on chicken, ribs, pork and more!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Go to Collections
    Course: condiment, Sauces
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 (Makes ¾ cup)
    Calories: 45kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Equipment

    • whisk
    • glass jar with lid

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup ketchup (I use Heinz Simply Tomato)
    • 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 Tablespoons honey
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    This recipe makes enough to use for 2 pounds of BBQ chicken. Spread it on boneless, skinless, chicken thighs and bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes, uncovered.
    Use it on chicken breasts and bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until done.
    You can use the uncooked sauce on sandwiches, burgers or as a dipping sauce for pork chops. You also can spread it on meatloaf before baking it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

    (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.)

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    Comments

    1. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says

      May 13, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 13, 2016 at 7:09 pm

        Nonnas are the best! Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Cheryl. Have a great weekend. xo

        Reply
    2. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      May 11, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        Aw, no one has called me that in years! Yes, Nonna rocked it in the kitchen. Thanks, Annie!

        Reply
    3. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says

      May 11, 2016 at 12:27 pm

      I love how simple this is, I could totally make this after a busy day, no problem!

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 12:31 pm

        Absolutely! And really, if you don't say anything, no one will know that it was so darn easy. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jill says

      May 11, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      Simple recipes are usually the best recipes! 🙂

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 12:30 pm

        I agree! It's one of the principles in Italian cooking, carried over to this American dish.

        Reply
    5. Tracy | Baking Mischief says

      May 11, 2016 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 11:50 am

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says

      May 11, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Love how simple the ingredients are for this BBQ chicken! I yummed this for later! Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 10:55 am

        Thanks, Cindy! This one really comes in handy when you haven't planned ahead.

        Reply
    7. Hanady says

      May 11, 2016 at 10:46 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Mamma C says

        May 11, 2016 at 10:54 am

        I know, right? Thanks, Hanady!

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I've been sharing family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen for a decade! I hope you'll visit often!

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