• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Foodle Club

  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes (date order)
  • Convert grams to cups
  • How to guides
  • Collections
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes (date order)
  • Convert grams to cups
  • How to guides
  • Collections
  • About
  • Mobile Menu

    • Facebook
  • ×
    • A slice of easy apple and chestnut cake on a plate, showing the walnut and cinnamon sugar topping.
      Apple and chestnut cake with walnut topping
    • Slices of Duck a l'Orange on a serving platter with carrots. beans and boiled baby potatoes.
      Slow cooker Duck a l'Orange - with duck crown
    • Overhead shot of a baked zucchini quiche with tomato and cheese topping.
      Cheesy zucchini and carrot quiche - no crust, no fuss
    • A sqiuare piece of coconut marshmallow wee-bix slice on a whte plate.
      Coconut marshmallow Weet-bix slice
    • Pieces of air fried chicken on a white serving platter with bowls of salad in the background.
      Air fryer barbeque chicken - with a chutney glaze
    • A dish of pork and apple casserole on a table with mashed potatoes an broad beans.
      Slow-cooked pork and apple casserole with brandy gravy
    • A dish of chicken aloo matar with Indian green beans in the foreground.
      Chicken Aloo Matar (one pot chicken, potato and pea curry)
    • Pea and broad bean salad in a bue serving dish.
      Green pea and broad bean salad
    • A white serving dish filled with creamy mushroom pasta salad.
      Creamy mushroom pasta salad - with a tangy twist
    • A spoonful of sweet and sour dipping sauce being lifted from a small bowl.
      Quick and easy sweet and sour dipping sauce
    • A crispy prawn spring roll that has been dipped in dipping sauce.
      Crispy prawn spring rolls
    • Slices of chocolate loaf cake with a covering of chocolate.
      Chocolate ice cream loaf cake
    Home » Recipes » Sauces, dips and marinade recipes

    Best barbeque sauce (served with meatballs)

    Published: Jul 23, 2022 · Modified: May 29, 2024 by VJ · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to recipe Jump to video

    This is the best barbeque sauce recipe I've ever made. It's sweet and tangy, with a hint of smokiness and it takes only 15 minutes to make. Poured over a dish of spaghetti and meatballs it makes a quick and easy family supper. I can guarantee that if you try this homemade barbeque sauce, you'll never buy the store-bought version again.

    A jug of barbeque sauce being poured over a dish of linguine and meatballs.
    Jump to:
    • Homemade barbeque sauce
    • The meatballs
    • What you will need
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients
    • What to do
    • FAQ
    • Save for later
    • Relate recipes
    • 📋The recipe

    Homemade barbeque sauce

    There's something about the thought of barbeque sauce that sends the tastebuds into overdrive. I don't know whether it's the sweet yet tangy taste or the hint of smokiness that is so characteristic of this sauce, but whatever it is, it certainly gets my tastebuds working.

    I think you'll love it.

    You can use this bbq sauce in so many ways:

    • As a marinade for anything you want to grill on the barbeque - steak, chicken or pork spare ribs;
    • As a dipping sauce for french fries or crispy fried onions;
    • Use it in place of ketchup for fries, sausages or burgers;
    • Slathered over a pulled pork slider;
    • Pour it over crispy chicken wings;
    • Mix with mayonnaise for a tangy dip for your potato crisps or crispbreads;
    • Mix a few spoonfuls of barbeque sauce with a can of baked beans for instant BBQ bean salad;
    • And of course, as I've done here, use it as a sauce to pour over a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

    This barbeque sauce takes only a few minutes to make. All you have to do is combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, then leave it to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

    I like to leave the sauce to simmer on the stove until it has reduced by about one-third. I find this gives the perfect consistency - pourable, but thick enough to coat whatever it is that you are pouring it over.

    The recipe for barbeque sauce that I'm sharing today makes approximately one cup of sauce. If you want to make a larger batch you can double the ingredients.

    Meatballs on a bed of linguine covered with barbeque sauce.

    The meatballs

    Of course, you don't have to make the meatballs - the barbeque sauce can be used in so many ways. But these meatballs have such a great flavour that goes perfectly with the barbeque sauce that I decided to include them as a bonus recipe for you.

    These meatballs have a light texture, thanks to the addition of Panko breadcrumbs rather than bread soaked in milk. Plus I've used a blend of Indian spices for flavouring, which gives the meatballs a slight curry flavour which pairs beautifully with the smokey flavours of the barbeque sauce.

    I like to arrange the meatballs on a bed of linguine and pour the barbeque sauce over the top, but there's absolutely nothing to stop you from serving them on a bed of white rice or even fluffy mashed potatoes.

    And however you choose to serve them, a dish of fresh green salad is all you will need as an accompaniment.

    Close up of half a meatball on a fork, showing the texture.

    What you will need

    Equipment

    To make the barbeque sauce you will only need a saucepan.

    For the meatballs you will need a mixing bowl and large frying pan (with a lid).

    You will also need a box (or cheese) grater for grating the onions.

    Ingredients

    This recipe will serve 2 to 3 people as a main meal. To make a larger batch, simply double the ingredients.

    **You can get the full list of ingredients and complete instructions for making both the barbeque sauce and the meatballs on the printable recipe card at the end of this post**

    Ingredients for barbeque sauce and meatballs.

    For the meatballs

    Mince - I like to use a mixture of half pork and half beef mince for the meatballs but you could use all beef if you prefer. Try to get mince with a low-fat content so that the meatballs don't shrink too much when you fry them.

    Onions - this should be grated on the largest holes of a box grater.

    Panko breadcrumbs - these are used to help bind the meatballs and stop them falling apart. If you can't get panko you can substitute it with a slice of bread soaked in milk and then squeezed out, but I would recommend the panko as they give a lovely light texture. I've included a link to the brand that I buy on Amazon.

    Egg - also used for binding

    Spices - the spices are a mixture of ground coriander, ground cumin and garam masala, with the addition of a small amount of cayenne pepper for heat. If you don't have these spices in your kitchen you can substitute them with the equivalent amount of mild, medium or hot curry powder, depending on your heat preference.

    Salt - for seasoning. I always think that meatballs without any salt taste quite bland, but it's up to you whether you add any or not.

    For the barbeque sauce

    Passata - this is pureed tomatoes that have been sieved to remove any seeds and bits of skin. It's normally sold in bottles or cartons in any supermarket, alongside canned tomatoes. If you can't get passata, substitute it with tomato ketchup.

    Fruit chutney - I use mango chutney, but you can use any fruity chutney.

    Brown sugar - for sweetness

    Vinegar - provides the tanginess

    Worcestershire sauce - for the saltiness

    Paprika - to add a touch of smokiness

    Water - not too much, a quarter of a cup is plenty.

    What to do

    Barbeque sauce

    Barbeque sauce ingredients in a saucepan.

    Place all the ingredients for the barbeque sauce into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

    A spoonful of barbeque sauce showing the consistency.

    Reduce the heat to a strong simmer and leave the pan on the heat (uncovered) for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. The actual time will vary depending on how quickly the liquid evaporates.

    The sauce should coat the spoon but still have a pourable consistency. It will thicken further as it cools.

    If you find the barbeque sauce does not thicken sufficiently, you can thicken it by stirring in a slurry made with one heaped teaspoon of cornflour (cornstarch) and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir this mixture slowly into the sauce, over low heat, until the sauce thickens to your liking. You may not need all the cornflour.

    Meatballs

    While the sauce is simmering, you can mix the meatballs.

    Meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl.

    Place all the ingredients (except the oil) into a mixing bowl.

    The meatball mixture ready for shaping into meatballs.

    Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients have been combined. Ensure the spices are well distributed throughout the mince.

    9 meatballs in a frying pan.

    Form the meat into golfball-sized balls. I used 250 grams of mince and made 9 meatballs.

    Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a frying pan and arrange the meatballs in a single layer.

    Browned meatballs in a frying pan.

    Fry gently until the meatballs are nicely browned on all sides.

    This will take between 3 and 5 minutes per side.

    Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the pan and let them drain on a piece of paper towel.

    Tip - I turn the heat down and cover the frying pan with a lid until the meatballs are ready to be turned. The lid keeps the heat in the pan and helps the meatballs to cook through.

    Test that the meatballs are cooked by cutting one in half - there should be no pink showing.

    Serve the meatballs on a bed of spaghetti or linguine and pour the barbeque sauce over the top.

    Half a meatball on a fork, covered in barbeque sauce.

    If you'd like to be notified of new recipes, why not subscribe to my newsletter? To say thank you, you will receive a free recipe e-book containing some of my most popular cakes and desserts.

    FAQ

    How long can I store the barbeque sauce?

    You can store the barbeque sauce in the refrigerator in a mason jar, or another jar with a tightly fitting lid, for up to 2 weeks.

    How long can I store the meatballs?

    I wouldn't store the raw meatballs for more than one day before cooking them. Arrange them on a plate and cover with plastic wrap, or store them in a plastic container.
    Cooked meatballs can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave and consume them immediately. Discard any meatballs that have been reheated and not eaten.


    Can I freeze barbeque sauce?

    Yes, you can freeze this sauce for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator and reheat in a saucepan on the stove.

    Can I freeze the meatballs?

    The meatballs can be frozen either raw or after they have been cooked.
    Arrange the meatballs on a baking tray and put them into the freezer for a few hours until they are solid then transfer them to a freezer bag. Freezing them in this way ensures the meatballs stay separate when frozen and you will be able to remove as many as you want when you are ready to eat them.
    Raw meatballs can be fried from frozen. Keep the heat low and add another minute or two to the cooking time.
    Pre-cooked meatballs can be reheated in the microwave.

    Save for later

    If you would like to make this barbeque sauce (either with or without the meatballs), why not save the recipe to one of your Pinterest boards? Just click on the image below.

    Alternatively, you can save the recipe by clicking on the floating heart icon on the right-hand side of the page.

    Relate recipes

    If you enjoyed this recipe you may like to see some of my other recipes made with sauces:

    • Fish fingers covered in tartare sauce on a plate with french fries and peas.
      Crispy fish fingers with homemade tartare sauce
    • A piate of crispy air-frier crispy chicken wings on a table with carrot and celery sticks.
      Crispy air-fryer chicken wings with blue cheese sauce
    • A whole crispy roast duck on a serving plate with roast potatoes, alongside a dish of vegetables and a bowl of cherry sauce.
      Crispy roast duck with cherry sauce
    • A dish of chicken Diane next to a bowl of peas and a dish of rice.
      Chicken Diane with brandy sauce

    You can find many similar recipes on my sauces, dips and marinade recipes page.

    📋The recipe

    A jug of barbeque sauce being poured over a dish of linguine and meatballs.

    Best barbeque sauce (served with meatballs)

    This is the best barbeque sauce recipe I've ever made. It's sweet and tangy, with a hint of smokiness and it takes only 15 minutes to make. Poured over a dish of spaghetti and meatballs it makes a quick and easy family supper. I can guarantee that if you try this homemade barbeque sauce, you'll never buy the store-bought version again.
    Recipe by: Veronica
    Main Course, Sauces
    British
    Calories 437
    Prep 10 minutes minutes
    Cook 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 to 3 people
    Print Pin Comment Bookmark Saved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 1 vote

    (Click the stars to rate this recipe)

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Frying Pan
    • Box grater

    Ingredients

    Barbeque sauce

    • ½ cup /120 ml passata
    • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
    • ¼ cup / 50 grams brown sugar
    • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons fruit chutney
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ cup / 120 ml cold water

    Meatballs

    • 8 ounces / 250 grams beef mince or a mixture of beef and pork
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 medium onion (coarsely grated)
    • ½ cup / 35 grams Panko breadcrums
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to your own taste
    • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

    Instructions

    Barbeque sauce

    • Place all the ingredients for the barbeque sauce into a saucepan.
      ½ cup /120 ml passata, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, ¼ cup / 50 grams brown sugar, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons fruit chutney, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ cup / 120 ml cold water
    • Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the sugar.
    • Reduce the heat to a strong simmer and leave the pan on the heat (uncovered) for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. The actual time will vary depending on how quickly the liquid evaporates.
    • The sauce should coat the spoon, but still have a pourable consistency. It will thicken further as it cools.
    • Optional - you can thicken the sauce with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of cornflour (cornstarch) and 1 tablespoon of water. Stir to remove any lumps, then drizzle the mixture into the sauce, stirring continuously. You may not need all the cornflour mixture

    Meatballs

    • Place all the ingredients for the meatballs (except the oil) into a mixing bowl.
      8 ounces / 250 grams beef mince, 1 large egg, 1 medium onion (coarsely grated), ½ cup / 35 grams Panko breadcrums, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon garam masala, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon salt (optional), ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
    • Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients have been combined. Ensure the spices are well distributed throughout the mince.
    • Form the meat into golfball-sized balls. 250 grams of mince will make 9 meatballs.
    • Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a frying pan and arrange the meatballs in a single layer.
      2 tablespoons sunflower oil
    • Fry gently until the meatballs are nicely browned on all sides.
      This will take between 3 and 5 minutes per side.
    • Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the pan and let them drain on a piece of paper towel.
    • Serve the meatballs on a bed of spaghetti or linguine and pour the barbeque sauce over the top.

    Notes

    Tip - I turn the heat down and cover the frying pan with a lid until the meatballs are ready to be turned. The lid keeps the heat in the pan and helps the meatballs to cook through.
    Test that the meatballs are cooked by cutting one in half - there should be no pink showing.
    The cumin, coriander, garam masala and cayenne pepper can be replaced with an equivalent amount of mild, medium or hot curry powder (depending on your own heat tolerance).
    You can easily make a larger batch by doubling the ingredients.
    Nutrition does not include pasta, or mashed potatoes, and assumes that 3 people will consume the entire dish of meatballs and barbeque sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories - 437kcal | Carbohydrates - 39.3g | Protein - 30g | Fat - 17.1g | Saturated Fat - 3.6g | Cholesterol - 136mg | Sodium - 749mg | Potassium - 492mg | Fiber - 2.1g | Sugar - 25.7g | Vitamin D - 6µg | Calcium - 60mg | Iron - 17mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutrition information has been calculated using an on-line calculator, and is intended for information and guidance purposes only. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should consider calculating it yourself, using your preferred tool.

    Unless otherwise stated, a cup is the standard US cup containing 240 ml. In all my recipes this cup is assumed to hold 140g of flour. For help converting other ingredients between cups, grams, ounces and other measures, see my recipe conversion calculator.
    All my recipes are developed and tested at sea-level. For tips on adjusting recipes for high altitudes see my post on baking at high altitudes.
    Tried this recipe?If you made this recipe I'd love it if you could leave me a comment and let me know how it went!
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

    If you made this recipe and enjoyed it, I'd love it if you could give me a star rating in the comments below. And if you'd like to get in touch, you can email me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you. And don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list so you can grab yourself a copy of my FREE COOKBOOK!

    If you'd like to continue browsing, just click on this link to all my recipes.

    More Sauces, dips and marinade recipes

    • 2 oven-roasted duck legs in a baking dish with potatoes and carrots.
      Roast duck legs with red wine sauce
    • A plate of sausages on a bed of sweet potato mash covered in tomato and onion gravy with a side helping of peas.
      Sausage in tomato and onion gravy
    • A jar of tomato jam with a spoonful being scooped out.
      Tomato jam
    • Microwave lemon curd in a glass jar with a spoon.
      Microwave lemon curd (2-minute recipe)
    8 shares
    • Share on Facebook
    • Tweet

    About VJ

    Before I started my food blog I was an IT Consultant. Now that I've swapped an office for a kitchen I have a lot more time to spend on things that interest me such as trying out new recipes. Most of my cooking is based around quick and easy meals, mostly made from scratch, using everyday pantry ingredients.

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A picture of Veronica in the garden in front of a pink-flowering shrub.

    Hi, I'm Veronica! Welcome to my little kitchen. Step inside and browse my collection of recipes collected over the years.

    More about me →

    Readers favourites

    These are my most viewed recipes:

    • Sliced silverside on a plate with carrots and potatoes.
      Slow-cooker beef silverside
    • Slices of oven-baked gammon on a serving dish.
      Easy oven-baked gammon
    • Overhead shot of a white serving bowl filled with beef and kidney stew. There is a large wooden spoon at the side of the bowl.
      Slow-cooker beef and kidney stew
    • A slice of bacon and egg pie on a plate
      Proper bacon and egg pie
    • A pile of crusty German bread rolls.
      Crusty German bread rolls (Brotchen)
    • A dish of twice-cooked pork belly garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions.
      Twice cooked pork belly - with a sticky glaze

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Subscribe

    • Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free recipe ebook.

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 www.foodleclub.com

    Copyright © 2025 Foodleclub.com

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.