Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

A smoky-sweet simmered sauce with a deep bourbon kick for ribs, chicken, or burgers.

Total 40 min Makes 16 oz Calories 68/serving

Dietary

Pescatarian, Wheat free, Nut free

Allergens

Dairy

This sauce simmers ketchup, molasses, and bourbon with smoked paprika and cider vinegar until thick and glossy. The alcohol cooks off while leaving behind a rich, caramelized backbone, making it a versatile glaze for grilled meats or a dipping sauce for wings.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.

  2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the bourbon. Return to the heat and simmer until reduced by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.

  4. Whisk in the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne until smooth.

  5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy, about 20 minutes.

  6. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust salt or cayenne as needed before transferring to a jar or bottle.

Rate this recipe

★ 3.8 (1)

Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

This sauce simmers ketchup, molasses, and bourbon with smoked paprika and cider vinegar until thick and glossy. The alcohol cooks off while leaving behind a rich, caramelized backbone, making it a versatile glaze for grilled meats or a dipping sauce for wings.

40 min 16 oz 68 cal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method

  1. 1

    Melt the butter in a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the bourbon. Return to the heat and simmer until reduced by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.

  4. 4

    Whisk in the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne until smooth.

  5. 5

    Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy, about 20 minutes.

  6. 6

    Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust salt or cayenne as needed before transferring to a jar or bottle.