There are tons of bottled barbecue sauces on the market. Some of which are good, others not so much. This doctored BBQ sauce recipe will help you take them from okay to oh yea! My best advice is to purchase a bottled sauce with a mellow flavor and work up from there. Look for one that is not too smoky or deep in color.

What you’ll need to make doctored BBQ sauce:
- 1 bottle of “original” barbecue sauce (store bought)
- Ketchup
- Cola
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Molasses
- Hot sauce (aim for a vinegar-based sauce, like Tabasco)
- Yellow mustard
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Black pepper

How to make it:
This doctored BBQ sauce recipe is so dang easy! Simply melt your butter in a saucepan, and add all the ingredients. Let it come to a simmer, reduce the heat and let it cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. That’s it!

How to use it:
I like to use this sauce in a variety of different recipes. First and foremost, it makes a great basting sauce. Also, I like to use this doctored BBQ sauce as a table sauce for brisket or pulled pork sandwiches. Finally, it is amazing in BBQ beans! See below for details:

Use this BBQ in sauce recipe in smoked baked beans
Try our other BBQ sauce recipes!

Doctored BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 bottle store bought barbecue sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup cola
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat butter in large saucepan. Add remaining sauce ingredients and let mixture simmer on medium-low heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring often.
- Once brown sugar has melted through an sauce is well combined, remove sauce from heat and cool for 20-30 minutes. Use right away or store in a jar, plastic bottle, or air tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week after preparation.
- Sauce works well on chicken, pork, beef, and some meat substitutes. You can also use this doctored delight as a table sauce.
Notes
Photos by Sabrina Baksh/derrickriches.com