Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
On August 04, 2025
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My Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce is the perfect sweet and savory sauce that brings all those warm fall flavors to your favorite BBQ. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and has just the right amount of pumpkin pie spice without overwhelming the smoky goodness of your meats.
Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking “Pumpkin spice BBQ sauce? Has she lost her mind?” Trust me, I had the same reaction when my husband Todd jokingly suggested we jump on the pumpkin spice bandwagon. But here’s the thing: this sauce is absolutely incredible, and I’m not just saying that because I created it.
This isn’t some gimmicky sauce that tastes like liquid pumpkin pie. It’s a legitimate, delicious BBQ sauce that just so happens to have those cozy fall flavors we all love (some of us secretly). Even the biggest pumpkin spice skeptics come around after trying this sauce on some good smoked meat.
What is Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce?
Pumpkin spice BBQ sauce takes everything you love about traditional BBQ sauce and adds warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Warning: your backyard will smell like fall heaven when you make this. The maple syrup and molasses give it a rich, deep sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin pie spice, while the apple cider vinegar keeps everything balanced with just the right amount of tang.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
The beauty of this sauce is that it uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, plus one special addition that makes all the difference:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
That’s it! A lot of BBQ sauce recipes call for a dozen or more ingredients, but this one keeps things simple so each flavor hits the right notes.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
Making this sauce is almost too easy. In fact, it’s so simple that you’ll probably have it memorized after making it once. We’re talking “throw everything in a pot and let it do its thing” level of easy here.
- Combine everything. Grab a medium saucepan and add all your ingredients over medium heat. Give everything a good whisk to make sure it’s combined.
- Bring to a boil. Crank up the heat and let your mixture come to a rolling boil. You’ll start smelling those warm spices almost immediately, and your backyard will smell like a crisp fall day. Keep whisking occasionally so nothing decides to stick to the bottom of your pan.
- Let it simmer. Turn the heat down to low and let everything simmer together for 20-25 minutes. The sauce will start thickening up, the flavors have a little fall festival in your pot, and you’ll probably catch yourself sneaking tastes with a spoon (I won’t tell anybody).
- Let it cool. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool down just enough that you won’t burn your tongue when you taste-test it again. Transfer it to a lidded jar and stick it in the fridge. You can use it right away, but here’s the thing: it gets even better overnight. All those flavors meld together even more for a one-of-a-kind fall experience.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
This sauce is absolutely incredible on my Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork. That’s actually where this whole pumpkin spice adventure started! But don’t stop there. This sauce is fantastic on:
- Smoked chicken or turkey
- Grilled pork chops
- Smoked ribs
- As a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries
- Brushed on grilled vegetables
The sweetness from the maple syrup and brown sugar makes it perfect for pork, while the warm spices complement poultry wonderfully.
Storage and Making Ahead
This sauce keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. I like to use mason jars because they seal well and make the sauce look pretty sitting in the fridge and on your table.
You can also make this sauce up to a week ahead of your BBQ event. In fact, I recommend it. The flavors develop and mellow over time, creating an even more delicious sauce. Just give it a good stir before using and you’re good to go.
More Awesome BBQ Sauce Recipes
If you love making your own BBQ sauces at home (and trust me, once you start, you won’t want to stop), check out some of my other favorite sauce recipes:
You can find even more tasty BBQ sauce recipes here on the site, as well as in the Hey Grill Hey App.
Easy Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce Recipe
Embrace your inner pumpkin spice lover with this Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce. When you’re done enjoying this not-so-guilty pleasure, make sure to come back and give the recipe a 5-star review.
You can find more of my smoking and grilling recipes and videos on YouTube, Instagram, or my Facebook page. I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Combine and boil. Add all the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then whisk until well combined. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.1 cup ketchup, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 Tablespoons molasses, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes until sauce thickens. Stir occasionally to ensure nothing sticks to the pan.
- Cool. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool slightly before using.
- Use or store. Use the sauce immediately, or transfer the cooled sauce to a lidded jar to store for later use. For the best flavor, refrigerate overnight.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
