Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

My Dr Pepper BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, smoky, and seriously addictive! Made with simple ingredients and Dr Pepper for a rich caramelized flavor. It’s perfect for all your BBQ sauce needs!

Meet Your New Cookout MVP

Ridiculously Easy: Just whisk, simmer, and watch it turn into a thick, glossy barbecue sauce everyone will rave about.
That Dr Pepper Magic: Just like with my Dr Pepper pulled pork, the soda adds a rich caramel flavor that makes this sauce stand.
Made for Cookout Season: This is the ultimate sauce for ribs, pulled pork, chicken, burgers, beef, and anything fresh off the grill.

Ingredients for Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

Use Regular Dr Pepper: Full-sugar Dr Pepper is key for the rich caramelized flavor and proper thickening. Diet or zero sugar versions won’t reduce the same. If needed, add 1–2 tablespoons of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce.
Turn Up the Heat: Add hot sauce, cayenne, or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the sweet BBQ flavor.
Try Cherry Dr Pepper: Cherry Dr Pepper adds a subtle fruity sweetness that tastes amazing with the smoky, tangy sauce.

How to Make Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

This Dr Pepper BBQ sauce is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, and when it simmers down, it becomes thick, rich, and perfect for brushing, dipping, or drizzling over your favorite grilled meats. Once you taste it, you may never want store bought BBQ sauce again.

Combine: Add the Dr Pepper, ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.
Cook: Heat over medium high until simmering. Reduce the heat to medium low, then cook for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally, until thickened. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Sauce thickened and simmering in the pot.

Alyssa’s Pro Tip

Keep the heat low. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium low and whisk every few minutes so the sugars don’t burn.

Must Have Tools For This Recipe

Whisk: Helps everything blend together while the sauce simmers.
Sauce Container: Perfect for storing leftovers or keeping extra sauce ready for grilling and dipping.

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My Dr Pepper BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, and seriously addictive! Made with simple ingredients and Dr Pepper for a rich caramelized flavor.

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Keyword BBQ Sauce with Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce, Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce Recipe, Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce Recipe, Soda BBQ sauce

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 30

Servings cups

Calories 437kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Equipment

1 Large pot

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) can Dr Pepper
1 cup ketchup
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper more or less to taste

Instructions

Add 1 (12-ounce) can Dr Pepper, 1 cup ketchup, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper in a medium saucepan and whisk to combine.
Heat over medium-high until simmering. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

Leftover Instructions

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Freezer: Freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw completely, and if needed, simmer on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 5 minutes to thicken it back up.

Nutrition

Someone spreading Dr Pepper BBQ sauce on some grilled chicken.

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