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Deep, rich and bold, this Sweet & Spicy Tennessee BBQ Sauce is so easy to make at home. With the perfect balance between smoky sweetness and a tangy, spicy kick, you’ll never want to buy the store bought stuff again!

sweet and spicy bbq sauce is delicious served with chicken, pork or beef.

It’s no secret that I like a good sauce (just see the list at the bottom of this post!), but finding a favorite BBQ sauce at the grocery store can be a daunting task. There are so many styles and kinds and brands… It might take a lifetime to find just the right one.

…Especially when you already know what you want. I’m talking about that beautiful balance between a dark, sweet sauce and the hot zing of a vinegar-based sauce packed with loads of flavor from onion, garlic and other spices.

Where to find such a thing? Make your own Tennessee BBQ Sauce! It’s simple. It’s easy. And it’s guaranteed to be the best sauce you’v ever tasted.

a jar of memphis style BBQ sauce with vinegar and brown sugar for a sweet and tangy flavor.

What’s makes Tennessee BBQ Sauce Different?

In the South, we love our BBQ! So much so that we don’t have just one style of barbecue sauce we love, we’ve got plenty! Each region, depending on the spices used in that area and the types of meats raised, boasts its own “best” sauce and style.

Tennessee shares its love for a tomato-based sauce with Kansas City, St. Louis and Texas. But Tennessee puts it own Memphis-style stamp on its rich, sticky sauce with deep, smoky flavors, brown sugar and molasses while still including plenty of bold zing from vinegar, mustard and other spices.

Tennessee BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy and spicy. Perfect for glazing meat as it cooks, as sauce over meat or for dipping.

What to Serve with Tennessee BBQ Sauce

The consistency and rich, tangy flavor of this sauce makes it a perfect addition to burgers, as a sauce on BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, pulled pork, sausages, a glaze on grilled or smoked meats. If you don’t like saucing your meats, use this for dipping instead!

Side Dishes to Serve with Barbecue

Ingredients

ketchup
brewed strong coffee
apple cider vinegar
molasses
brown sugar
minced garlic
dried minced onion
Worcestershire sauce
stone ground mustard
coarse ground black pepper
salt
chili powder
cayenne pepper

See recipe card for measurements & full instructions.

Whisk ingredients while simmering to produce a rich and spicy dark BBQ sauce

How to Make Homemade Tennessee BBQ Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a large saucepan.
Bring to a low boil, stirring often.
Turn down the heat and simmer for 45 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
Makes a 16 ounce jar of sauce!

We love this barbecue sauce recipe served warm for dipping or as a sauce over grilled chicken, ribs or pulled pork.

How to Store Homemade BBQ Sauce

Thanks to the vinegar in the recipe, this sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. I’ve found storing it in a glass jar with a good fitting lid works best. Avoid plastic ware. The coffee and tomato base of the sauce will stain it.

Homemade BBQ sauce is ideal for pulled chicken or pulled pork sandwiches, piled high with coleslaw

Other Sauce Recipes You’ll Love

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