By Becky Hardin
Updated May 6, 2025
I’m a big fan of anything that makes my life even just a little bit easier, and this semi-homemade BBQ brisket sauce is such a great life hack! Sure, it’s not the made-from-scratch kind of homemade, but it’s a special recipe that starts with my favorite bottled sauce, and the extra ingredients I add that make it perfect, slightly sweet, slightly savory, and completely delicious.
5-Star Review
“This was perfect. Just cooked my first brisket and this sauce was exactly spot on what I was wanting.” -Michael
BBQ Brisket Sauce
Sometimes I feel like store-bought BBQ sauces are missing something, so why not just add in those extra flavors myself?
Starting with my personal favorite BBQ sauce, I mix in Dijon mustard for savoriness, brown sugar for sweetness, Worcestershire for tanginess, and red pepper flakes for a touch of spice to get the exact flavor I want. I love using this as a brisket sauce because I think it just complements beef brisket so well. I always double the recipe as it’s great having this incredible sauce in the fridge to use with other recipes.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ▢ ½ cup ketchup I prefer Heinz but any brand will work.
- ▢ 1 cup store-bought BBQ sauce I like Original Recipe KC Masterpiece or Original Blues Hog , but feel free to use your favorite.
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ Serve with BBQ Beef Brisket! (click for recipe!)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often. ¾ cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup store-bought BBQ sauce, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make BBQ Brisket Step by Step
Combine the ingredients : Combine ¾ cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup store-bought BBQ sauce, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often.
Cool and enjoy: Let the sauce cool and then store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
How to Store
Store leftover homemade BBQ brisket sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Stir well before using.
Serving Suggestions
This semi-homemade BBQ brisket sauce is good with so many recipes, but I especially love it with BBQ brisket . It’s the best brisket sauce and cooks into the beef so perfectly. I also often find myself using this recipe in place of BBQ sauce in tons of other dishes, too! I love using this sauce on little smokies , or sometimes I’ll add it to crockpot spare ribs , and even baked BBQ chicken breast ! It just adds a little extra something.
more yummy sauces to try
Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Easy Bang Bang Sauce
Mustard Cream Sauce
Cowboy Butter
BBQ Brisket Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup ketchup I prefer Heinz but any brand will work.
- 1 cup store-bought BBQ sauce I like Original Recipe KC Masterpiece or Original Blues Hog , but feel free to use your favorite.
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Serve with BBQ Beef Brisket! (click for recipe!)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often. ¾ cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup store-bought BBQ sauce, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, ⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
