Grilling season is in full swing and I’m loving it! There’s nothing quite like food that’s cooked on the grill or on an open flame. It’s that time where we get to channel our inner caveman or woman, right?
To take my grilling game up a notch this year, I decided to make a homemade BBQ sauce. I decided to make my sauce with an unexpected ingredient that would give some depth of flavor along with a tangy edge. Dr. Pepper was the obvious choice. It’s got the right amount of sweetness along with deep notes of cherry, anise, and molasses all perfect for a killer BBQ sauce recipe!
Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce is full of simple ingredients you most likely have in your pantry. It only takes about 30 minutes to make either on the grill or the stovetop. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Dr. Pepper Soda
- Butter
- Onion
- Tomato Paste
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic
- Chili Powder
- Salt
Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce is so good you’ll find yourself slathering it on lots of dishes that you never even thought about before. It’s outstanding on any type of chicken, or pork. I love to put it on burgers and in my Pineapple BBQ Baked Beans. You can also use it as a dip for fries as my son does.
If you are a fan of all things BBQ, then this sauce is for you. If you love to smoke your own pulled pork or ribs, then you’ve got to whip up a batch of Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce. Both of these sauces are sure to become favorite recipes you’ll make time and time again.
How Long Will Homemade BBQ Sauce Last?
This sauce keeps for a while in the fridge, up to about 3 to 4 months. Since this recipe is so easy, I’ve been making a double batch and storing it in recycled bottles in the fridge until I’m ready to use it.
Need a little inspiration on ways to use Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce? Try these ideas:
- Drizzle it on Instant Pot Pulled Pork Nachos.
- Put a dollop on Meatloaf Muffins for a bit of unexpected flavor.
- Cook Game Day Meatballs in this homemade sauce. You’ll score big time!
- It’s ridiculously good served with 3 Ingredient Oven Cooked Beef Brisket.
If you make this recipe, let me know!
You can rate it below, leave me a comment, or snap a picture. Just tag me on Instagram at #asouthernsoul.
Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce Questions, Answered
Dr Pepper brings a complex sweetness that’s hard to pin down but impossible to forget. It has notes of cherry, anise, and a hint of molasses that weave through the sauce and add real depth. It also helps the sauce reduce to a thick, glossy consistency as it simmers. The result is a BBQ sauce with more personality than anything you’ll find in a bottle.
Add all the ingredients to a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and let it cook for about 30 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld together. That’s really all there is to it. The hardest part is waiting for it to finish because the smell coming out of that pot is absolutely incredible. I always make a big batch because it disappears fast.
Honestly, everything. Grilled chicken and ribs are the classics. It’s phenomenal on burgers and pulled pork. I love it drizzled over nachos, tossed with meatballs as an appetizer, and even as a dipping sauce for fries. The depth of flavor in this sauce makes it work anywhere you’d reach for BBQ sauce — and then some.
Stored in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator, this sauce keeps for 3 to 4 months. The sugar content acts as a natural preservative. I label the jar with the date and honestly it’s always gone long before the 4-month mark — once people taste it, they find reasons to put it on everything.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 12 ounces Dr. Pepper soda
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- To a medium-size pot, add butter and onion. Sautee over medium-high heat until translucent. Whisk in tomato paste and vinegar and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Dr. Pepper, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, and salt. Stir together. Bring the sauce up to a boil then reduce to simmer for approximately 10 minutes until thickened.
- Remove sauce from the stovetop and let cool. Using an immersion blender or a stand blender, process sauce until smooth.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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Yum!
I can’t get Dr. Pepper where I live. What flavour is it please?🙏
It an American soda pop. You could substitute root beer.
~Donya
I made this exactly per recipe. It is so delicious. It is on the sweeter side of BBQ sauce, but I like mine that way. I can’t wait to use this on chicken this weekend! Great recipe as always!!!
Hey Rebecca!
Thank you so much for your rating and your thoughtful words! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, it’s a fun little twist on the traditional BBQ flavors. I hope you enjoy it on your chicken this weekend, and thank you so much for your support!
~Donya