We’ve been known to whip up a homemade condiment or two over here in the test kitchen. Steak sauce, aiolis, chile oil, savory jams — they’re all in our DIY arsenal. And now … barbecue sauce!

It’s super easy to make: we dump all of the ingredients in a saucepan, simmer, and stir every now and then. But don’t let that simplicity fool you — it’s a whopper in the flavor department. There’s the sweetness of the molasses and brown sugar, the bright umami of the ketchup, the zing of the apple cider vinegar and mustard powder, and the warm spice of the smoked paprika and cayenne.

Sweet, sticky, and tangy, it’s everything a barbecue sauce should be. And we just love how the subtle heat of the cayenne likes to hang around in your mouth for a while. Plus, the sauce is the perfect consistency, not too sloppy or runny, for slathering over pretty much any grilled meat — chicken, steak, salmon, you name it. We’d also swirl it through some slow-cooked pulled pork and make a delightfully saucy sandwich. Eating it by the spoonful? Not totally out of the question.