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    TaraTeaspoon » Cuisine » BBQ

    This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure.

    Published: by

    Memphis BBQ Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    jar of Memphis BBQ Sauce pin
    memphis bbq sauce pin image
    brush and jar of Memphis BBQ sauce pin

    This Memphis BBQ sauce recipe is the perfect finishing sauce for ribs, pulled pork and chicken. It's tangy and thin, not sticky and sweet, with just the right amount of spicy kick!


    Imagine yourself sitting on a porch swing in the South sipping ice cold lemonade. Kind of a nice relaxing picture, right? Well, we might not all be able to live there, but once you make my delicious Memphis BBQ sauce recipe Southern living won't feel so far away.

    The South is known for good BBQ, but Memphis is a city that is especially proud of the way they do BBQ. 

    Memphis BBQ is all about the pork. Whether it's a slab of ribs or a pulled pork sandwich, pork is the go-to choice for meat. Speaking of pork, have you tried my pork tenderloin or pork kabob recipes?

    Memphis BBQ sauce is a true finishing sauce. Slather it on your chicken, ribs and pulled pork after it comes off the grill.

    Memphis BBQ Sauce in mason jar with brush on turquoise plate
    Jump to:
    • What goes into Memphis-style BBQ sauce? 
    • How to use this tangy BBQ sauce 
    • How long does BBQ sauce last? 
    • Tips for making Memphis BBQ sauce 
    • Try some other Memphis-style BBQ recipes:
    • Memphis BBQ Sauce

    What goes into Memphis-style BBQ sauce? 

    I’ll tell you what ingredients are needed for authentic Memphis BBQ sauce.

    Every BBQ spot in Memphis probably has their own secret sauce recipe and while we can't know all their secrets, there are some elements you'll always find in their sauce.

    The base of my Memphis BBQ sauce recipe is made up of ketchup, honey, and cane syrup (more on that in a bit!). It’s all flavored with onion, cider vinegar, and a special blend of spices. 

    Vinegar and ketchup are found in almost every Memphis BBQ sauce recipe. But what about kosher salt, does it really taste different than regular table salt? Surprisingly it does make a difference.

    Kosher salt has a milder flavor than table salt but keeps all of the saltiness. Just not as harsh on your tastebuds. This is perfect for this recipe so you don't overpower the other flavors!

    You want the homemade BBQ sauce to be thin and tangy with just a little sweetness. A good combination of flavors pair well poured over my pulled pork or served with a rack of ribs.

    What is cane syrup? 

    Every authentic Memphis BBQ sauce recipe includes cane syrup. Cane syrup is super popular in the South where it is used for everything from a condiment to an ingredient in favorite recipes like sweet tea. Pancakes, drinks, pies, anything sweet and it likely has cane syrup in it or on it.

    Cane syrup comes from the sugarcane plant and is made by boiling sugar cane juice in kettles until the thick dark syrup is formed. 

    What can I substitute for cane syrup? 

    Cane syrup is essentially just a step before what molasses is as sugar boils. This is why, if you can't get your hands on cane syrup and still want to make this tasty Memphis BBQ sauce recipe, you can substitute the cane syrup for your own mixture of equal parts molasses and corn syrup. 

    As an alternative, I also grab Lyle's Golden Syrup if a Southern variety isn't available at my store. But you can order the real thing online with the link above.

    BBQ sauce in mason jar with onions and seasonings in background

    How to use this tangy BBQ sauce 

    Memphis BBQ Sauce is not a mop sauce or a marinade. This is a true finishing sauce. One for dipping, dunking, and slathering. 

    There is a fair amount of sugar in the sauce and other ingredients that burn over the high heat of the grill. Simply season and grill your chicken, ribs or steak first, then slather it with sauce the last few seconds on the grill. 

    Drizzle on more when you eat. Try it on my heavenly Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich. It’s also a great homemade BBQ sauce for pulled pork (if cooked low and slow in a slow cooker or the oven) or spread atop a grilled hamburger. 

    How long does BBQ sauce last? 

    Because this Southern BBQ sauce recipe is cooked on the stovetop first and uses mostly shelf-stable ingredients, it will last up to 3 months in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. 

    Tips for making Memphis BBQ sauce 

    • I kept this sweet, spiced homemade BBQ sauce mild, but you can kick up the heat by adding a few more dashes of hot sauce. 
    • If you don’t have cane syrup on hand, you can substitute equal parts molasses and corn syrup in a pinch. 
    • Don’t slather your meat in this sauce and then grill it. This is a finishing sauce and is best when added after the meat has been cooked. 

    Try some other Memphis-style BBQ recipes:

    Memphis-Style Pulled Pork

    Memphis-Style Ribs 

    memphis bbq sauce with pastry brush

    Memphis BBQ Sauce

    Tara Teaspoon
    Memphis BBQ sauce is the perfect finishing sauce for ribs, pulled pork and chicken. It's tangy and thin, not sticky and sweet, with just the right amount of spicy kick!
    4.84 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3 cups
    Calories 377 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup minced onion
    • 1 cup cider vinegar
    • 1⅓ cups ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (I like Louisiana style)
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ⅔ cup cane syrup (In a pinch, substitute equal parts molasses and light corn syrup)

    Instructions
     

    • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir everything together. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer for 10 min; remove from heat.
    • Cool sauce before using and store in the refrigerator up to 3 months. 

    Notes

    Nutritional information is for 1 cup of sauce.
     
    I kept this sweet, spiced sauce mild, but you can kick up the heat by adding a few more dashes of hot sauce!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 98gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3349mgPotassium: 443mgFiber: 1gSugar: 92gVitamin A: 547IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Try these finger-licking-good BBQ recipes

    • Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
    • Dang Delicious Slow Cooker Brisket Sandwiches
    • Homemade BBQ Meatball Subs In Under An Hour
    • North Carolina Pulled Pork Recipe
    • Kansas City Style Ribs Recipe To Make On Your Grill
    • Terrific 10 Ingredient BBQ Rub From Your Pantry
    • BBQ Mop Sauce Recipe
    • Texas Beef Brisket with Spicy Sauce
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe & Photos Tara Teaspoon.

    « How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
    Dang Delicious Slow Cooker Brisket Sandwiches »

    Filed Under: BBQ, Grilling and Smoking, Sauces Tagged With: barbecue, bbq, bbq sauce, brisket, memphis, memphis bbq, pulled pork, ribs

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

      July 09, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      It sounds delicious! Perfect for BBQ season

      Reply
    2. Mimi says

      July 09, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      I seriously love to add BBQ to anything so it would be fun to make my own

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        I agree, so tasty!!

        Reply
    3. Marysa says

      July 09, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      I've never made my own homemade BBQ sauce before. I wouldn't have known what kind of ingredients it needed. Thanks for sharing your recipe, this would be perfect for our summer get togethers.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        And it's so easy! You'll love it.

        Reply
    4. Vicky says

      July 09, 2018 at 12:41 pm

      I would love to make my own BBQ sauce rather than use store bought. It is more authentic and if I'm going to go through the trouble of making ribs, I want to do it right!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:51 pm

        I love it too because I can control the flavor and the amount of sugar. No strange ingredients when you make your own!

        Reply
    5. Tina Dawson says

      July 09, 2018 at 12:53 pm

      I have never heard about this sauce, but I am dying to taste it now! Cane syrup, where are thou?

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:51 pm

        Haha! The cane syrup is so fun to cook with. But for sure use my substitutes if you can't find it in the store!

        Reply
    6. Catherine Brown says

      July 09, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Whether you eat meat, poultry, fish or veggies, everyone needs a good BBQ sauce recipe! I'm lookin' forward to trying yours!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        That's the truth!!

        Reply
    7. Susie says

      July 09, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      This post is making me hungry for ribs! I live in Kansas City... which is also a city very proud of its distinctive BBQ. I think ours is a little sweet with a hint of tang , and the Memphis is tangy with a hint of sweet. Loved seeing this recipe. Pinning it now.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        Oh you lucky thing! I've got a Kansas City recipe too. Yum for sure!

        Reply
    8. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

      July 09, 2018 at 2:49 pm

      I love BBQ sauce - so many tasty uses!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        That's so true!

        Reply
    9. Ashley R says

      July 09, 2018 at 3:29 pm

      I always just buy BBQ sauce! Never thought to make it. Looks so yummy!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        You'll love this homemade version.

        Reply
    10. Max says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:19 am

      I'm a sucker for a good BBQ sauce. Looks great!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        July 12, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Thanks! It's a tasty one!

        Reply
    11. Mary Bench says

      July 16, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      Homemade BBQ sauce is the only way to go. This one looks totally delicious.

      Reply
    12. Brittany Smart says

      July 19, 2018 at 1:34 pm

      Love it!! BBQ is the epitome of summer and being able to make my own sauce just makes me feel so fancy.

      Reply
    13. Ed Matthews says

      May 16, 2019 at 10:58 pm

      Instead of using SALT....buy yourself one of those small cans of Anchovies. This is the key to great BBQ sauce.
      Semper Fi 66'-

      Reply
      • Tara says

        May 19, 2019 at 12:35 pm

        For a variation some people may like that.

        Reply
    14. Ed Matthews says

      May 16, 2019 at 11:04 pm

      I forgot to tell ya......when using ketchup, use only HUNTS brand. It's 100% pure with NO nasty additives like Heinz does.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        May 19, 2019 at 12:34 pm

        Great suggestion. Every ketchup is different, that’s for sure.

        Reply
    15. Melissa Taylor says

      September 25, 2019 at 8:14 am

      I’m excited to try this!! I’m going to make it for a group of 50 boys, and I’m wondering if some might be picky about pieces of onion. Would it ruin it to blend it up first?

      Reply
      • Tara says

        September 30, 2019 at 11:04 am

        Hi Melissa! I hope they love it. You can certainly blend the sauce. However the onions cook and become really soft and not too noticeable. Make sure you cut them quite small! Also straining the sauce will do the trick. Lots of options. But mixed on pulled pork, I doubt anyone will notice there are a few little onions in the sauce! Enjoy.

        Reply
    16. Britney Fronk says

      May 19, 2021 at 6:49 pm

      I've always been too nervous to make my own BBQ sauce, but now I can never go back to the store-bought stuff. This flavor is unbeatable!

      Reply

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