Combine all the ingredients into a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes.
Be careful not to burn – don’t leave it unattended.
Notes
Make sure you stir the sauce as it cooks, and keep the heat low so you don't burn your sauce.What to do with leftoversStore in an airtight container (like a mason jar) at room temperature if you prefer. I keep mine in the refrigerator out of habit. This will have a longer shelf life if you refrigerate.Substitutions/AdditionsA tiny bit of liquid smoke is awesome in this if you don't have smoked paprika on hand.Garlic powder and onion powder are great additions to this recipe. Add 1/2 teaspoon to begin with and taste before adding more.Changing it upIf you like a spicy barbecue sauce instead of a classic flavor, you can add a little bit of hot sauce, extra chili powder, a little cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes to impart a little heat.If you like things sweeter, add a little honey or extra brown sugar.If you want a smoky flavor, be sure to use smoked paprika, or add a dash of liquid smoke.