Barbecue Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely.

Add the honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice to the saucepan. Mix until fully incorporated.

Stir in the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Remove from heat and let cool. For a smoother texture, blend the sauce using an immersion blender.