A homemade copycat of the iconic McDonald's BBQ sauce — glossy, smooth, and perfectly balanced between sweet, tangy, and lightly smoky. Made with ketchup, corn syrup, molasses, white vinegar, liquid smoke, and a secret ingredient of apricot preserves for that signature fruity sweetness.
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In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Whisk well until the molasses and corn syrup are fully incorporated into the ketchup base.
Place the saucepan over medium heat until it begins to bubble gently. Immediately reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
Let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 8 to 12 minutes, whisking occasionally. The sauce should darken slightly and thicken enough to coat a spoon. Remember, it thickens significantly as it cools.
Remove from heat. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a jar or airtight container. Leave the lid off until it reaches room temperature.
For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using. Store refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
