Recreate Wendy’s BBQ Sauce at home with this simple and flavorful recipe! Perfect for dipping, drizzling, or adding a smoky-sweet kick to your favorite dishes.

Small bowl of homemade Wendy’s BBQ Sauce surrounded by dipping fries and nuggets."
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Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe is a delicious way to enjoy the smoky-sweet flavors of the classic fast-food favorite at home. This easy-to-make sauce combines tangy, sweet, and savory ingredients to create the perfect balance of flavors.

It’s ideal for dipping chicken nuggets and fries or even as a glaze for grilled meats. With simple pantry staples, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser in no time!

Wendy’s Barbecue Sauce Recipe is amazing, try it today!

Homemade Wendy’s BBQ Sauce in a small bowl with fries and nuggets for dipping.

What Is Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe is a homemade version of the iconic smoky-sweet dipping sauce served at Wendy’s restaurants. This recipe recreates the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors using simple ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and a touch of liquid smoke.

Making it at home is easy, cost-effective, and allows you to customize the flavors to suit your taste!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple pantry staples, so you can whip it up quickly without any hassle.
  • Authentic Flavor: It perfectly recreates the smoky-sweet taste of Wendy’s BBQ sauce that you love.
  • Versatile: Use it as a dip, glaze, or even a marinade to enhance a variety of dishes.
  • Cost-Effective: Save money by making this restaurant-style sauce at home.
  • Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness, smokiness, or spice level to suit your personal taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed

  • Ketchup: Forms the tangy and sweet base of the sauce..
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a zesty, tangy kick to balance the sweetness.
  • Molasses: Provides a rich, deep sweetness with a hint of smokiness.
  • Honey: Enhances the sauce with natural sweetness and a smooth texture.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory umami flavor for depth.
  • Dijon Mustard: Contributes a tangy and slightly spicy note to the mix.
  • Soy Sauce: Brings a salty, umami-rich flavor to the sauce.
  • Garlic Powder: Infuses a subtle, savory garlic essence.
  • Onion Powder: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor to round out the taste.
  • Smoked Paprika: Delivers a smoky, earthy flavor for authenticity.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and a peppery bite.
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ties them together.

How to Make Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

  • Step One: In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
  • Step Two: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Step Three: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the BBQ sauce cool to room temperature. Use the sauce immediately for dipping or store it in the refrigerator for up to a week to enjoy later!
A bowl of homemade Wendy’s BBQ Sauce surrounded by fresh ingredients like ketchup, honey, and spices.

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe Tips

  • Adjust Sweetness: For a sweeter sauce, add a little extra honey or molasses to balance the tanginess.
  • Control Thickness: Simmer the sauce longer for a thicker consistency, or add a splash of water if you prefer it thinner.
  • Boost Smokiness: Add a pinch of liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika for a more pronounced smoky flavor.
  • Customize Heat: Stir in a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Storing

  • Storing: For up to one week, Store Wendy’s BBQ Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to maintain the sauce’s freshness and flavor.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the BBQ sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and stir before serving.
A bowl of homemade Wendy's BBQ Sauce with fresh ingredients like ketchup, honey, and spices.

What to Eat with this Wendy’s BBQ Sauce

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes, adding a sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor. It’s an ideal complement for grilled meats like chicken, pork, and beef, making it perfect for burgers, ribs, and even pulled pork sandwiches. The sauce also works well as a dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, and crispy chicken tenders. For a unique twist, try drizzling it over roasted vegetables, or use it to enhance the flavor of a BBQ pizza for a deliciously savory experience.

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe Faqs

Can I adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce? Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or molasses, depending on your taste preference.

How long will the homemade BBQ sauce last? Wendy’s BBQ Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Can I make the sauce spicier? To add heat, simply stir in cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.

Can I make this BBQ sauce ahead of time? Yes, making it ahead of time enhances the flavors as they meld together, and you can store it in the fridge for later use.

Can I use this sauce for grilling? Absolutely! This BBQ sauce works wonderfully as a marinade or glaze for grilling meats, vegetables, and more.

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Homemade Wendy’s BBQ Sauce in a small bowl with fries and nuggets for dipping."

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Make Wendy’s BBQ Sauce at home with this easy recipe! Enjoy the perfect smoky-sweet flavor for dipping, drizzling, or glazing your favorite dishes.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the ingredients together until fully combined.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Remove the saucepan from heat and let the BBQ sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or jar for storage.
  • Use the sauce immediately for dipping or store it in the refrigerator for up to a week to enjoy later!

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 828mgPotassium: 366mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg

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