Nashville BBQ Sauce Recipe is a bold, spicy, and tangy condiment rooted in Southern tradition. Made with ingredients like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar or low-carb sweetener, hot sauce, and spices, it delivers a sweet heat with smoky undertones. Perfect for grilled meats, pulled pork, or chicken, this sauce adds a flavorful kick to any barbecue dish.
In a medium saucepan, pour in the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and water. Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Stir in the brown sugar (or honey), cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the spices and sweeteners are evenly incorporated.
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, stirring to fully blend the flavors together.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and let it cook for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Give your sauce a taste and tweak the seasoning as needed. Add extra cayenne if you want more heat or a little more brown sugar or honey for added sweetness.
Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool. Transfer it to a clean jar or container. It’s ready to enjoy right away but will taste even better after resting for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
Notes
This Nashville BBQ Sauce Recipe is perfect for brushing on grilled chicken, ribs, or as a dipping sauce for fried foods. Adjust the cayenne pepper depending on how spicy you like it; Nashville BBQ sauce is known for its kick.Liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor without a smoker; if you don’t have it, you can omit or substitute with smoked paprika for more smokiness.