Pork is always tasty, but when it’s bathed in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce for pulled pork and then slow-cooked until it falls apart, it ascends to a whole new level! Strands of tender pork are the perfect canvas to soak up the smoky, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors of rich BBQ sauce. Who needs to go to a smokehouse when you can make a hickory BBQ sauce in your own kitchen?!
BBQ sauce is a classic for a reason — that balance of sweetness, tang, smokiness, and savory depth just works, especially with pork. This homemade BBQ sauce is designed specifically for pulled pork, with a bold, vinegar-forward flavor that cuts through rich meat and makes every bite pop. Whether you’re piling it onto BBQ pulled pork sandwiches , tacos, pizza, or even rolling it into pulled pork enchiladas , it brings everything into focus.
What I love most is how quickly it comes together and how much better it tastes than anything from a bottle. In about 15 minutes, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and chili powder simmer into something glossy and deeply flavorful. Molasses adds that dark, rounded sweetness, while a small splash of liquid smoke delivers real BBQ character without firing up a smoker.
It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and unapologetically pork-friendly — the kind of sauce that clings beautifully to pulled pork and makes simple meals feel intentional. Once you’ve made it once, it’s hard to go back to store-bought.
Other ways to use bbq sauce for pulled pork
If you have leftovers, here are three things you can make:
- Chili : Add a dollop (or two) into a chili to make it deliciously smoky.
- Ribs : Baste this onto pork ribs and get ready to lick your fingers clean!
- Pizza sauce : Slather it onto some pizza dough and add your favorite toppings! Our favorite combo is with chicken, green peppers, red onion slices, and bacon bits for a bbq chicken pizza.
BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork Recipe
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Ingredients
- ▢ 2 cups ketchup
- ▢ 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ▢ ¾ cup brown sugar
- ▢ 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses
- ▢ 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder
- ▢ 12 drops liquid smoke
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients in a small pot over medium-high heat. 2 cups ketchup, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses, 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder, 12 drops liquid smoke
- Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Prop the lid over the pot to prevent splatters but do not cover the pot completely.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the bbq sauce to cool before using or storing it.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Pulled pork recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of our sauce recipes !
Pulled Pork Chili (so much flavor!)
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Pulled Pork Enchiladas
Pulled Pork Tacos with Apple Slaw
BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses
- 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder
- 12 drops liquid smoke
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients in a small pot over medium-high heat. 2 cups ketchup, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and molasses, 1 tablespoon EACH: dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder, 12 drops liquid smoke
- Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Prop the lid over the pot to prevent splatters but do not cover the pot completely.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the bbq sauce to cool before using or storing it.
