Kansas City BBQ Sauce

This recipe for Kansas City BBQ Sauce is the perfect finishing touch to your grilled foods. It’s rich, thick, sticky, and sweet… just like it should be. Pair it with brisket, pork, chicken, ribs, and more. This is the best Kansas City BBQ sauce you’ll ever try!

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Sweet and Sticky Kansas City BBQ Sauce

Well, summer is officially in full force here now. The kids are out of school, and I am grilling everything as the weather gets warmer and warmer. You guys know how much I love my grill!

This recipe for Kansas City BBQ sauce has become a new staple around my house. It’s one of my husband’s favorites, along with this Texas Style BBQ Sauce.

I am calling this a Kansas City barbeque sauce because it boasts that classic sweet and sticky goodness you expect. It has a decent amount of molasses in it, which gives the sauce that deep beautiful color. It also helps make it really thick so it’s perfect as a finishing or dipping sauce.

Plus, this is a super simple recipe. Just combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes! That’s it! It’s so much better than store-bought, and you’ll be grilling before you know it.

Why This is the Best Kansas City BBQ Sauce

Made from scratch so no hidden preservatives
Perfectly sweet and sticky
Can be used in a variety of dishes
Use in a sauce or marinade, or even as a dip!
So much tastier than your average BBQ sauces

closeup: chicken breasts on a white plate with the best Kansas City BBQ sauce on top

Key Ingredients to Make Kansas City Barbeque Sauce

KETCHUP – Adds a tangy sweetness and rich tomato flavor that is so specific to Kansas City BBQ sauce. The sweet taste balances out the other more acidic ingredients really nicely.
MOLASSES – For that sticky consistency and sweet flavor! As mentioned, I’m using quite a bit in my version but I find it adds so much to the final results.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – Here’s where that acidity comes from! I like apple cider vinegar best, but you could also use plain white vinegar if you have it on hand.
YELLOW MUSTARD – For even more added tanginess. It also helps give a smooth and thick texture.
DARK BROWN SUGAR – It wouldn’t be the best Kansas City BBQ sauce with a dose of brown sugar! It incorporates even more sweetness, plus adds to that sticky consistency.
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE – For a boost of umami! This ingredient also helps to balance out the sweetness from the ketchup, molasses, and brown sugar.
SEASONINGS – This delicious Kansas City style barbecue sauce comes together with seasonings you likely already have in your pantry. Onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper are all you need!
MEAT – What’s the best Kansas City barbecue sauce without chicken or pork? Slather slow cooker BBQ pulled pork or chicken in it at your next backyard get-together, and your guests are sure to be impressed.

Instructions to Make the Best Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

MIX: Add the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings to a medium-sized saucepan. Mix to combine.

COOK: Simmer the mixture on low for about 10 minutes.

STORE: Remove your BBQ sauce from the heat and pour it into a heat-safe container like a mason jar. Use immediately on your preferred protein, or store it in the fridge for later!

closeup: red kitchen brush sweeping Kansas City barbeque sauce onto chicken breast

Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce Tips

Mix the ingredients thoroughly. After you add everything to your saucepan, make sure to mix them well. I like to use a whisk. This ensures that all of the flavors are evenly distributed throughout your Kansas City style barbecue sauce — it also helps give you a super smooth texture.
Be patient as it simmers. You only need to cook your Kansas City barbeque sauce briefly, but it’s important to let it simmer for the full 10 minutes. The cooking process allows the flavors to really meld and intensify, which will give you a richer and fuller flavored sauce!
Adjust as needed. My favorite part about making homemade sauces is that you have full control over the flavors. Be sure to check in on your BBQ sauce as it simmers. If you want it sweeter, don’t hesitate to add some more brown sugar or molasses. If you prefer more of a tang, pour in more vinegar or an extra splash of Worcestershire. Remember, this will only be the best Kansas City BBQ sauce if you actually like how it tastes!

FAQ

How long does Kansas City BBQ sauce last?

My recipe will keep in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks, though in my experience, it lasts even longer. One of the reasons why this is the best Kansas City BBQ sauce is its long shelf life. You can also freeze it if you want! Let it cool, place it in a freezer-safe container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using — it tastes just as great as freshly made BBQ sauce!

What do you store homemade Kansas City barbeque sauce in?

As mentioned, I like to store my BBQ sauce in mason jars because they are heat-safe. You could also let the sauce cool in the pan and then store it in empty ketchup or BBQ sauce bottles.

What makes Kansas City BBQ sauce different?

This style of BBQ sauce is generally heavier and sweeter. It’s less smokey and sweeter than other varieties thanks to the added ketchup and molasses. Now, you know!

More BBQ Recipes To Try

BBQ Marinated Chicken Kabobs
BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Sweet BBQ Rub for Chicken

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know if you think this is the best Kansas City barbecue sauce too!

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