Barbecue sauce substitute

Sauces, wine and pantry liquids · Checked against 1 source · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Mix three-quarters cup of ketchup with 2 tablespoons of mustard and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to make 1 cup. It is a pantry fix for basting and sandwiches. Add smoked paprika or hot sauce if you want it to taste more like a barbecue sauce.

How much do you need?

I need (barbecue sauce)Unit

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

What to use

Ketchup, mustard and brown sugar
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- ¾ cup 175 ml ketchup
- 2 tbsp 30 ml prepared mustard
- 2 tbsp 28 g brown sugar
Best for
Basting, sandwiches, baked beans.
What changes
Sweet and tangy, not smoky.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

Use	Pick	Why
Baked beans	The mix	Standard.

Questions

How do I add smoke?

A pinch of smoked paprika.

Sources

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Food, Ingredient Substitutions

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.