This Bourbon Barbecue Sauce recipe is sweet, tangy, and a full of flavor. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and only requires one pot!

Looking for more homemade pantry staples? Try my Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing and my Super Easy Salsa Verde!

stirring barbecue sauce in small silver pot with wooden spoon

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    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

    It’s not even summer yet, and I’m already in BBQ mode! I’ve been thinking of a million and one ways to use this barbecue sauce. I guess that’s what a freezing cold winter will do to a person.

    Full disclosure that I am a major condiment lover. I love to dunk and dip everything in sauces. But I have never tried making a homemade version of one of my favorite condiments — barbecue sauce.

    Making your own barbecue sauce at home is super easy! It doesn’t require much effort, only needs one pot, calls for less than 20 minutes of cooking time, and you can customize it to your liking. Just throw all of the ingredients into a saucepan and let it simmer. This barbecue sauce is sweeter than it is spicy however you can always spice it up by adding some cayenne pepper and paprika.

    Best of all, you should have all of the ingredients for this sauce already in your pantry.

    spooning out bourbon barbecue sauce out of mason jar

    ingredients

    • Olive Oil: Can also substitute a light-tasting oil like avocado or sunflower. Avoid butter.
    • Minced Onion and Garlic: I prefer fresh to the dried variety for this barbecue sauce because they brighten up the dish and add some texture, but you can use either.
    • Ketchup: This is the base of the homemade barbecue sauce. Use any kind you like, but if possible avoid ones with tons of sugar, as we’ll be adding some brown sugar to the sauce.
    • Worcestershire Sauce: This offers a smokey, umami flavor that makes this a true barbecue sauce.
    • Apple Cider Vinegar: You could also use white distilled vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice.
    • Bourbon: You can use your favorite bourbon in this barbecue sauce. I used Barterhouse Kentucky Bourbon. This bourbon is smooth and buttery with hints of brown sugar. It pairs perfectly with the sauce.
    • Brown Sugar: To sweeten the homemade barbecue sauce and offer molasses-y undertones. Light or dark will work.
    • Salt and Pepper: Just an eighth of a teaspoon of each.
    • Chili Powder: I like adding this for some heat, but you could leave it out, if preferred. Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and paprika would also workHomemade Bourbon Barbecue Sauce recipe

    how to make bourbon barbecue sauce

    • Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add in onion and cook for 2-3 minute. Add in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
    sautéing onions and garlic in small pot
    • Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Store in the fridge for up to a month or freeze for up to 6 months.
    simmered barbecue sauce in small silver pot

    Make a large batch, and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks or freeze any leftovers.

    Serve this sauce on wings, sandwiches, fries, or chicken tenders. Enjoy!

    What To Make with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

    STORAGE, FREEZING, AND REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS

    • Store in an airtight container or secure mason jar the fridge for up to 1 month.
    • Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe plastic bag or container for up to 6 months.
    • Reheat by allowing frozen barbecue sauce to thaw in the fridge overnight, then letting the chilled sauce come to room temperature on the counter. You can also warm in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through, but not boiling.
    scooping bourbon barbecue sauce out of glass mason jar

    MORE RECIPES TO TRY

    Looking for more ways to make your own homemade pantry staples? Try these simple sauce recipes:

    products used

    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

    4.41 from 5 votes
    Rate Print
    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. Sweet, tangy and a full of flavor. Incredibly easy to make and requires one pot!
    Servings: 4
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add in onion and cook for 2-3 minute.
    • Add in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
    • Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Store in the fridge for up to a month or freeze for up to 6 months.

    Notes

    Original recipe from chefsavvy.com. Please do not publish my recipe or pictures without linking back to the original post. Thank you!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 913mgPotassium: 315mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 480IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

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