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Homemade barbecue sauce is almost ridiculously easy to make and I can promise you that it tastes better than anything you can buy at the store. This is a spicy, rich, slightly smoky barbecue sauce that is perfect with beef, chicken, or pork.
A few weeks ago, my husband requested a bourbon barbecue sauce. We were making ribs and he wanted to dip them in a spicy sauce. I didn’t get a single picture of the sauce at the time, because we ate almost all of it.
I made this sauce again a couple weeks later for pulled pork and again, it disappeared before I managed to snap a photo.
This time I planned ahead and made the sauce early in the day, so that I could get a picture. I chopped up some roast chicken and tossed it generously with the barbecue sauce. We made it into sandwiches this time, but we’ve also stuffed saucy barbecue chicken into potatoes.
If you don’t happen to be a fan of bourbon, here are a few more great barbecue sauces:
Ingredients
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 2 - 4 tablespoons Sriracha sauce or the hot sauce of your choice
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Stir together all the ingredients in a heavy large saucepan or medium heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Let cool and then transfer to a large glass jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!
Notes
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY: Apple Nachos
THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: Spicy Honey Chicken Salad
Absolutely love this sauce, can't wait to try it!
How can you love it if you haven't tried it?
I'm sure Matt was simply saying that he loves the flavors in the sauce. I've often said I loved a dish before I've tasted it. The look, the ingredients, the flavors, any number of things can make it appealing.
(Thanks, Matt! I hope you like it as much as we do!)
I think this will rock on some grilled chicken wings, some of my favorite flavors.
This looks awesome! I love a little spice in my bbq sauce.
This is GREAT! I used 3 tbs of sriracha and I think 2 would have been plenty (I like the heat but might be too much for my kids). I was worried about using the molasses as I am not a big fan but it works great! Can't wait to slather this on my pulled pork sliders topped with grilled pineapple!
I make my sauce for restaurant use thus much larger quantities with a couple additions. Try adding a coffee reduction and a good dark rum to your recipe. Muy RICO!
Rum instead of Bourbon? or in addition?
What can I sub for molasses?
You can sub honey or brown sugar. It won’t taste the same, but it should work fine.
Let me tell you, this sauce is amazing! Thanks for sharing. Usually I check reviews first before I cook sth. This time, after I’ve read ingredients didn’t have to. Everything I love is here 😉 Didn’t have enough regular molasses, so I added pomegranate one. Didn’t have bourbon, so I used green Johnnie Walker. Delicious! Will definitely do it again! 🙂
Looks like a good combination of sweet and savory flavors. This will go great with chicken.
Substituted honey bourbon for the straight bourbon & used maple horseradish mustard instead of dijon mustard. This worked well. Has amazing flavor! Will be making this again!
Oh yum! I bet that was delicious too. I’m glad you like it.
So tangy and delicious! I added some cayenne pepper because we like it extra spicy, but other than that I followed the recipe to a T and it’s my new fav! Thank you!
You are welcome! My boys love the extra spicy option, even if I’m not a huge fan. Glad to hear that the barbecue sauce is a hit.
Delicious!!! I tweaked it a bit and added 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I went with 1/3 cup of Bourbon and this BBQ sauce is my hubby’s favorite 😍
I’m so glad you like the sauce, Rene!