Home → Recipes → Appetizers → Dips → Instant Pot BBQ Sauce

Instant Pot BBQ Sauce

Name: Instant Pot BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 3 teaspoons liquid smoke; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Jump to recipe

Instant Pot BBQ sauce is so good! Once you try homemade barbecue sauce, you’ll never want to return to store-bought! It’s also one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes, perfect for summer BBQs!

Homemade BBQ sauce is so good! The flavor is just that good. You’ll be amazed at all of its uses. Brush it on your Instant Pot BBQ chicken breasts, Instant Pot pulled pork, or Instant Pot BBQ ribs, or serve it as a dipping sauce for your next batch of Air Fryer French Fries! It will transform everything into something special, just like magic.

In addition to being easy and quick, this homemade BBQ sauce is better than anything you could buy at the store because you control all of the ingredients! No preservatives or artificial flavors are added- just good, wholesome food. And with a couple of extra steps, it’s pretty darn close to restaurant quality, too!

The Instant Pot makes cooking and doing dishes way easier! With this recipe, you can make a delicious BBQ sauce in minutes. It’s so easy to do and tastes great on everything from ribs to chicken wings. Plus, the leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for six months!

For some great recipes, some of my favorite proteins to add this Instant Pot Homemade BBQ Sauce to are AIR FRYER RANCH CHICKEN, INSTANT POT BBQ RIBS, INSTANT POT KOREAN BEEF SHORT RIBS, and AIR FRYER COUNTRY STYLE RIBS.

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot BBQ Sauce

The following BBQ sauce ingredients can be found in your pantry or at a local grocery store.

Remember the step-by-step directions, full recipe, detailed instructions below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, and nutritional information.

Ketchup: The base ingredient for Instant Pot homemade BBQ sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and natural sweetness.
Brown sugar: Adds depth and sweetness to the sauce, balancing out the tanginess of other ingredients.
Apple cider vinegar: Offers a subtle tang and helps to tenderize the meat while enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds complexity with its savory and slightly tangy flavor, elevating the taste of the sauce.
Dijon mustard: Provides a hint of sharpness and depth to the sauce, contributing to its well-rounded flavor.
Garlic powder: Infuses a delicious garlic flavor throughout the sauce, enhancing its depth and aroma.
Onion powder: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the sauce.
Paprika: Imparts a smoky undertone and vibrant color to the sauce, enhancing its visual appeal and flavor.
Liquid smoke: Enhances the smoky flavor of the sauce, giving it that authentic barbecue taste without the need for a grill.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Both are seasonings that help balance the flavors and bring out the best in all the other ingredients.

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce in the Instant Pot

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making BBQ sauce in the pressure cooker, Ninja Foodi, or Instant Pot.

Mix Ingredients: In the pot, combine 1 cup of ketchup, ½ cup of brown sugar, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, ½ teaspoon of paprika, a few dashes of liquid smoke, and salt and pepper to taste.
Pressure Cook: Secure the instant pot lid and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook mode on high pressure, with a cook time of 5 minutes. Make sure the steam release valve is set to the sealing position.
Natural Release: Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, do a quick release by carefully turning the steam release valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
Thicken Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and simmer it for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally, with a wooden spoon, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or other seasonings to suit your preferences.

Recipe Variations

Spicy BBQ Sauce: For a fiery kick, add some heat to your BBQ sauce by incorporating BBQ seasoning, dry rub, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the amount according to your spice preference.
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or smoked paprika to infuse your BBQ sauce with a smoky flavor. This gives your sauce a rich smokiness that pairs perfectly with grilled meats.
Sweet and Tangy Honey BBQ Sauce: Swap brown sugar for honey to create a sweeter BBQ sauce with a subtle floral flavor. Balance the sweetness with extra apple cider vinegar for a tangy finish.
Asian-Inspired BBQ Sauce: To give your BBQ sauce an Asian twist, add soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. These flavors will create a savory and slightly sweet sauce that pairs well with grilled chicken or pork.
Herb-Infused BBQ Sauce: To add freshness to your BBQ sauce, experiment with fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano. Chop or crush the herbs finely and stir them into the sauce for an aromatic touch.
Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce: Replace some ketchup with yellow mustard for a tangy and slightly spicy BBQ sauce. You can also add a touch of honey or maple syrup to balance the flavors and enhance the sweetness.
Fruity BBQ Sauce: Incorporate fruit juices or purees such as pineapple, peach, or mango to create a tropical twist on traditional BBQ sauce. These fruity flavors will add sweetness and brightness to your sauce, perfect for summer grilling.

Faq’s

Can I adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce? Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce by varying the amount of brown sugar or using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

How long does it take to make BBQ sauce in the Instant Pot? It typically takes around 5 minutes of pressure cooking time, plus additional time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and release naturally.

Can I customize the flavors of the BBQ sauce? Absolutely! You can adjust the spices and seasonings according to your taste preferences. Add different herbs, spices, or fruit juices for a unique twist.

Is liquid smoke necessary in BBQ sauce? While liquid smoke adds a rich, smoky flavor, it’s not essential. You can omit it or substitute smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a similar smoky taste.

How should I store leftover BBQ sauce? Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container, ziploc bags or mason jar. Then, store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage.

Can I use this homemade BBQ sauce to marinate meat? Yes, this sauce works great as a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or beef. Coat the meat in the sauce and let it marinate for a few hours or overnight before grilling or baking.

Can I make a larger batch of BBQ sauce? Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch of BBQ sauce. Just make sure not to exceed the maximum fill line of your Instant Pot to prevent any issues with pressure buildup. You can make this recipe in your slow cooker, but the instant pot makes the same recipe in a fraction of the time.

How can I adjust the consistency of the BBQ sauce? If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it in the sauté mode after pressure cooking to reduce and thicken it. Alternatively, you can thin the sauce with water or chicken broth if it is too thick.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Equipment Used

6-Quart Instant Pot

Don’t Forget To Pin!

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!

Search