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A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett

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BBQ sauce

The best bourbon BBQ sauce recipe

May 10, 2022

Home » BBQ sauce

This sweet and spicy, bourbon BBQ sauce recipe using common pantry ingredients is quick, simple and delicious. Making your own homemade barbecue sauce is so much better than anything you’ll find at the store. Try this sauce on pulled pork or chicken wings!

For a bourbon BBQ sauce with a fruity twist, try my blueberry bourbon BBQ sauce.

I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.

For ease of browsing, you can find all of my condiment recipes here.

Bourbon BBQ sauce in glass jar.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

Whisky BBQ sauce

This homemade BBQ sauce with bourbon whiskey is made with common pantry items and requires nothing more than a pot and a spoon or whisk. I wanted something really easy that could be made with almost no effort.

My other BBQ sauces require a blender of some sort, and while that isn’t difficult, sometimes I’m lazy and don’t want to pull out another thing that I’ll have to wash. So, instead of using fresh onion and fresh garlic, I went with their dried versions to make it easy.

Ingredients

This super easy bourbon barbecue sauce recipe comes together in 20 minutes – just stir it all together and let it simmer until thickened.

I’ve given a list of ingredients and what they bring to the party. There are also a few helpful tips on substitutions, if needed.

Bourbon BBQ sauce recipe in pot.
  • Tomato paste – Gives it sweetness and the familiar BBQ sauce taste.
  • Dark brown sugar – Dark brown sugar has more molasses. If you only have light brown, add a tablespoon of molasses.
  • Granulated garlic – To substitute with garlic powder, use half the amount.
  • Granulated onion – Same as above.
  • Kosher salt – I use Diamond Crystal. If you use Morton, cut the amount by almost half.
  • Black pepper – Regular black pepper, nothing fancy.
  • Mustard powder – I use Colman’s mustard powder, it has great flavor.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Fruity vinegar gives the BBQ sauce a nice flavor.
  • Bourbon – Use whatever you have, but not your most expensive bottle.
  • Adobo sauce – The sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo gives this BBQ sauce a little smokiness.

Bourbon BBQ sauce recipe

This brown sugar bourbon BBQ sauce recipe is just a little sweet and a little smoky. It’s great on pulled pork and I really like it on chicken wings.

Chicken wings with homemade BBQ sauce.

Variations and substitutions

If you don’t have mustard powder, you can use regular yellow mustard. Mustard powder has a bit of a kick to it, which is why I like it.

You can use maple syrup in place of brown sugar, but it will alter the taste of the sauce. If you’re a fan of maple, this might be a good swap for you.

No tomato paste, but you have tomato sauce? Use it. You may have to cook the sauce down a little longer, because of the water in tomato sauce.

BBQ sauce in glass jar with bottle of bourbon in background.

How to make it

Making your own barbecue sauce is simple. Here’s how to make this easy bourbon BBQ sauce recipe –

Pour bourbon into a medium-sized saucepot over low heat. Add the tomato paste and whisk until smooth. As the tomato paste and bourbon warm, it will come together. Then add in all of the spices and whisk again until smooth.

Increase the heat to medium and let it simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, until thickened. That’s it!

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few answers to common questions when making homemade barbecue sauce.

What is the best bourbon for BBQ sauce?

The best bourbon for BBQ sauce is the one you like! That being said, if you have a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, this is not the place for it. I’ve used both Bulleit and Woodford Reserve for my BBQ sauces and I like them both.

Can I freeze this sauce?

Yes! You can freeze the sauce for 6 months.

How long does it last in the fridge?

If stored properly, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this sauce should keep for about 2 weeks.

How much alcohol cooks out of the sauce?

In order to FULLY remove alcohol from food when cooking, it needs to simmer for a minimum of three hours. Because this sauce is only cooking for 15 – 20 minutes, about 40% of the alcohol will remain.
If you want to cook more of it out – use a WIDE, shallow pan and stir constantly. Stirring helps the alcohol to evaporate, as does a larger surface area. The good news is that whisky does seem to evaporate quicker than most spirits.

Homemade barbecue sauce with bourbon in glass jar.

And there you have it. A super simple, homemade bourbon BBQ sauce recipe in 20 minutes.

More BBQ sauce recipes

  • Loquat BBQ sauce
  • Pineapple mango BBQ sauce

Please share

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

Image for Pinterest

I hope you love this bourbon BBQ sauce recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting.

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

Yield: 2 cups

Bourbon BBQ sauce

Bourbon BBQ sauce

Homemade bourbon BBQ sauce recipe comes together in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup bourbon (*See note)
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. adobo sauce
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 2 tsp. granulated onion
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. mustard powder

Instructions

  1. Add bourbon to a medium saucepot over low heat.
  2. Next, add tomato paste, apple cider vinegar and adobo sauce, then whisk until smooth.
  3. Add remaining ingredients, whisk until smooth again and increase heat to medium.
  4. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened, or to desired consistency.

Notes

*If you want a more subtle bourbon flavor, use 1/2 cup of bourbon. If you want a stronger flavor, use 3/4 cup.

Option: If you find yourself at an Asian or Latin American market, grab a package of tamarind paste. It adds AMAZING flavor to homemade BBQ sauce recipes. You don't need much - a tablespoon or two. You can adjust from there to suit your taste buds.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Cuisinart Saucepan with Cover, 1-Quart
    Cuisinart Saucepan with Cover, 1-Quart

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1/4 cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 271mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Cheryl Bennett
Cuisine: American / Category: Condiment

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe (other than for personal use) without prior written permission. Thank you!

Filed Under: Condiment Tagged With: BBQ sauce

Easy pineapple mango BBQ sauce recipe

August 2, 2021

Home » BBQ sauce

Up your grill game with this easy pineapple mango BBQ sauce recipe. Super simple and so dang delicious, this barbecue sauce will add amazing flavor to whatever you are cooking. This sweet and spicy sauce packs the perfect punch – a touch of sweet and just enough heat to make your lips tingle.

Pineapple mango BBQ sauce in glass bottle with mango in background.

Just like my blueberry BBQ sauce recipe, this sauce goes really well with pork and chicken. It goes great with pulled pork, grilled chicken, chicken wings, and pork chops.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

Pineapple mango BBQ sauce

I love BBQ sauce. I mean – I really love it. It’s one of my favorite things for dipping and it is my go-to sauce for anything that needs a little something.

Mango pineapple BBQ sauce in glass jar with cut mangoes and brush on the side.

And, this sauce will help you up your game in a big way. I gave some to my neighbor and he RAVED about it, as did his handful of house guests.

I use my neighbors as my testers, because I know I can get immediate feedback on a recipe. And, I’m happy to report that this one was met with a big thumbs up.

Ingredients

This barbecue sauce recipe uses common ingredients that you likely have in your pantry or fridge, to keep shopping to a minimum.

Ingredients for mango pineapple BBQ sauce on plaster background.
  • Apple cider vinegar – My vinegar of choice for most things, ACV has a fruity acidity that brings flavor and not just a vinegary bite.
  • Tomato sauce – This gives the BBQ sauce a bit of that familiar tomato base, without the sweetness of ketchup, which we’re getting from the honey and brown sugar.
  • Dark brown sugar – You can substitute light brown if that is what you have. In that case, add a tablespoon of molasses to the mix as well.
  • Green chiles – I used Hatch green chilies because they are in season and it’s what I have. You can use canned chilies or jalapeños.
  • Onion – Yellow onion is the go-to choice. It is the best “cooking onion”, but use whatever you have.
  • Ginger – This sauce gets some of it’s heat from the ginger. Just in case you didn’t know, ginger packs a punch. It can clear your sinuses, but it adds amazing flavor.
  • Pineapple juice – Sweet, delicious and a bit of acidity. Pineapple juice is great in marinades and sauces.
  • Mango – Use soft, ripe mangoes that are super sweet for this recipe. Unripe or green mangoes will not work.
  • Oil – Choose a neutral oil like grapeseed or canola for this recipe.
  • Garlic – In my humble opinion, garlic belongs in just about everything.
  • Honey – Honey gives the sauce a floral sweetness that is different from the dark brown sugar.
  • Salt & pepper – Because everything needs salt and pepper.
Pineapple mango BBQ sauce in glass jar with chicken breast on plate in background.

How to make mango BBQ sauce with pineapple

This mango BBQ sauce with pineapple is all about building layers of flavor. First, we sauté onions, ginger and garlic to mellow those flavors a bit. Then, the mango goes in with the rest of the ingredients.

Step by step photos for making pineapple mango barbecue sauce.

Cook it all down for about 30 minutes to concentrate the flavors and to thicken the sauce. Use an immersion blender to purée the BBQ sauce until smooth and you’re done.

I used a recipe from serious eats as my jumping off point and then promptly started tweaking things. I’m really happy with the result and I hope you are too.

How can I use this BBQ sauce?

  1. Fill a few glass bottles and give to friends and neighbors as a gift.
  2. Shred some leftover roast chicken and toss with sauce for pulled chicken sandwiches.
  3. Top pork burgers with pineapple mango BBQ sauce, a ring of pineapple and a slice of melty cheese.

Please share

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

Image for Pinterest of barbecue sauce in glass bottle.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting.

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

Yield: 5 cups

Pineapple mango BBQ sauce recipe

Pineapple mango BBQ sauce recipe

Super simple and so delicious, this sweet, spicy pineapple mango BBQ sauce pairs well with pork or chicken and packs the perfect punch.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. neutral oil (canola or grapeseed)
  • 1 medium onion, diced, about 1 cup
  • 2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups mango, peeled and diced (2 large mangoes)
  • 6 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Hatch chilies, roasted, peeled and chopped (2 chilies, sub - canned green chilies or jalapeños)
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, like a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.
  2. Sauté onions for 4 - 5 minutes to soften them, then add garlic and ginger, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  3. Add diced mango and cook for one minute, stirring occasionally to keep anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Add remaining ingredients to pot and stir to combine. Simmer for 30 minutes, until reduced by about a third.
  5. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  6. Using an immersion blender, purée the sauce in the pot until smooth. Cool completely before storing airtight glass containers in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

This sauce gets even better after a day or two. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors really develop!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Breville Immersion Blender
    Breville Immersion Blender
  • Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. 
    Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

40

Serving Size:

2 tbsp.

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 34Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Cheryl Bennett
Cuisine: American / Category: Condiment

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Filed Under: Condiment Tagged With: BBQ sauce

Blueberry BBQ sauce recipe

June 3, 2020

Home » BBQ sauce

This bourbon blueberry BBQ sauce will soon be your go-to for ribs. The sweetness of the blueberries, the smokiness of the bourbon and the heat from the peppers come together to make this barbecue sauce out of this world. Bourbon BBQ sauce with the sweetness of blueberries pairs well with any kind of pork, especially ribs. It also goes really well with chicken thighs. 

blueberry BBQ sauce in glass jar with brush

Blueberries and bourbon, like my blueberry bourbon jam recipe, are a match made in heaven.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

Blueberry BBQ sauce recipe

Making blueberry barbeque sauce from scratch is not at all difficult. The most difficult part of the entire operation is waiting for it to cook down so it can be blended and consumed.

blueberry bourbon BBQ sauce in glass jar with blueberries

This easy homemade BBQ sauce, just like my pineapple mango BBQ sauce, is unlike anything you’ll find in the aisles of the grocery store. For that reason, I like to give this to friends and neighbors as a hostess gift. Homemade gifts are always special and this sauce definitely qualifies.

I have made this recipe 4 times already. SO GOOD!

– Will

How to make Blueberry BBQ Sauce

This recipe is incredibly easy. It’s the wait that is not.  

First, heat a bit of canola or olive oil in a medium pot, then add the onions and garlic. Let them sweat a few minutes until fragrant and starting to turn translucent. Next, add in the remainder of the ingredients and let the BBQ sauce cook down for roughly 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, it should start looking thick and syrupy.

Remove the bay leaves and using an immersion blender (or regular blender), carefully blend until smooth.

blueberry bourbon barbecue sauce with brush in jar

I have a couple of friends who are not experienced cooks, by their own admission, and they’ve made this blueberry BBQ sauce at least 4 times.

It is something different than the usual store-bought sauce and it barely requires more than an occasional stir.

If you are a beginner cook or you just want something delicious and unique that will not take the entire afternoon, this is the recipe for you.

bourbon blueberry bbq sauce on ribs

I love this homemade blueberry bbq sauce for ribs, but I’ve also put it on chicken thighs and a pork tenderloin and it was delicious.

Fattier meats tend to pair well with it, but a chicken breast or even chicken wings would be a fantastic pairing for this sauce.

Can I use frozen blueberries to make this BBQ sauce?

Yes! Frozen blueberries need to be thawed and drained before adding to the sauce.

They will make your sauce watery if they aren’t drained. Not the end of the world, but the sauce will require more time to cook down until it reaches that thick and syrupy stage before blending.

What can I serve with barbecue?

Here are a few options that will pair well with grilled meat and this sauce. This would make an easy and tasty summer menu!

  • Nectarine blue cheese spinach salad – A delicious summer salad that pairs well with barbecue.
  • Grilled lamb loin chops – Try this sauce on lamb too!
  • Cajun grilled potato wedges – A quick and easy side dish.
  • Strawberry Arnold Palmers – The most delicious blend of strawberries, tea and lemonade.
  • Blueberry lemonade – Made from blueberries, sugar, lemons and water.

Please share!

Your shares help this site to grow. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting. I love hearing from you!

Did you make this blueberry BBQ sauce recipe? Tag me on Instagram @pookspantry or share it in the Fabulous Foodie Friends Facebook group! I can’t wait to see your version!

Used In This Recipe:

  • Vitamix blender
  • Dutch Oven
Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Blueberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Blueberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

A delicious BBQ sauce made with fresh blueberries

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh blueberries, picked over
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 small or 1 large bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Heat canola oil over medium heat and sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Combine everything in a large pot and cook down for approximately 30 minutes, until thickened and syrupy.
  2. Remove bay leaves and let cool slightly.
  3. Transfer to a blender and pureé until smooth.
  4. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Notes

I happen to love vinegar, so I used 3/4 cup. If you are not a fan of the strong flavor, use 1/2 cup.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender 
    KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

2 tbsps.

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 62Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 217mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Cheryl Bennett
Cuisine: American / Category: Condiment

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Originally published 6/12/17, most recent update 6/3/20

Filed Under: Condiment Tagged With: BBQ sauce

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Hi there and thanks for stopping by!  I'm Cheryl, Chef by day and Blogger by night!

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