Two of my favorite sauces at Wendy’s are the Ghost Pepper Ranch and their BBQ sauce, especially with the Pretzel Baconator burger. Today, I’m sharing how I made a copycat version of Wendy’s BBQ Sauce at home. It turned out so delicious and close to the original that it felt like I was eating at Wendy’s!
The Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe starts like most BBQ sauces, with ketchup as the base. But what makes it special is an ingredient I don’t usually use for BBQ sauce—molasses. This was my first time adding molasses to a sauce, and it really made a difference. It adds a deep sweetness and also thickens the sauce, giving it a smooth, sticky texture.

If you love BBQ sauce but want something with a stronger, richer flavor, this recipe is for you. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!

What Is Wendy’s BBQ Sauce?

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce is a tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce that’s typically served as a dip for chicken nuggets, fries, or other menu items. It has a classic barbecue flavor but with a bit more depth, thanks to a blend of ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. The sauce has a smooth texture and a bold taste, making it perfect for people who love rich, flavorful BBQ sauces.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)

How To Make Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe?

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, molasses, and apple cider vinegar. Mix until smooth.

Step 2:
Add in the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.

Step 3:
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your preference by adding more brown sugar or cayenne pepper.

Step 4:
Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together. Let the sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Enjoy it with burgers, fries, or chicken nuggets!

Pro Tips

• If you like your BBQ sauce sweeter, add a little more molasses or brown sugar. For less sweetness, reduce them slightly.
• For an extra smoky taste, add a few drops of liquid smoke. It gives the sauce that grilled flavor without using a smoker.
• If you prefer a bit of heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce. You can also use chipotle powder for a smoky heat.
• If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer on low heat for a bit longer until it reduces to your desired consistency.

FAQ

How long can I store this BBQ sauce?
You can store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Can I freeze the BBQ sauce?
Yes, you can freeze it! Just pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before using.

What can I use instead of molasses?
If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup, though it will change the flavor slightly. Molasses gives the sauce a deeper sweetness and thicker texture.

Can I use this sauce as a marinade?
Absolutely! It works great as a marinade for chicken, ribs, or pork. Let the meat sit in the sauce for at least a couple of hours before cooking.

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

Recipe by JoleeCourse: SAUCECuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

56

kcal

Total time

35

minutes

Wendy’s BBQ Sauce is a tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce that’s typically served as a dip for chicken nuggets, fries, or other menu items. It has a classic barbecue flavor but with a bit more depth, thanks to a blend of ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons molasses

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)

Directions

• In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, molasses, and apple cider vinegar. Mix until smooth.
• Add in the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your preference by adding more brown sugar or cayenne pepper.
• Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together. Let the sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
• Enjoy it with burgers, fries, or chicken nuggets!

Notes

• If you like your BBQ sauce sweeter, add a little more molasses or brown sugar. For less sweetness, reduce them slightly.
  For an extra smoky taste, add a few drops of liquid smoke. It gives the sauce that grilled flavor without using a smoker.
  If you prefer a bit of heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce. You can also use chipotle powder for a smoky heat.
  If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer on low heat for a bit longer until it reduces to your desired consistency.