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    Home » Recipes » Condiments & Sauces

    Published: Aug 21, 2015 · Modified: Jun 2, 2023 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliates

    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce (two recipes!)

    Jump to Recipe
    Smeared Jar of barbecue sauce on wooden table, spoon

    My quest for the best barbecue sauce ended when I tried it with bourbon. So good I had to make two slightly different recipes. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to make them and how long they last!

    Table of Contents Open
    About barbecue sauce
    The difference between the 2 recipes
    Related recipes you might like:
    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce - two recipes
    Brown and red barbecue sauces in jars on a wooden surface with spoons.


    Making homemade barbecue sauce is very easy and quick.

    You can have it in your fridge for weeks, so there's really no excuse to make it. I usually have a jar along with the best chimichurri sauce, which is the real deal of course.

    Use it for barbecued and grilled meats, sandwiches, glazes for cocktail sausages, holiday hams, and other sweet and sour sauces. I also add it to sandwiches when I have leftover rosemary steak.

    The truth is that a barbecue sauce made with bourbon is fantastic. Barbecue sauce by itself is incredible. Bourbon is amazing in the first place, so both are even better.

    Front view of two jars with different barbecue sauces with spoons on a wooden table.

    About barbecue sauce

    It originated in the United States, as we all know, in the South from what I read.

    There are a million recipes and a whole lot are great ones. It all comes down to personal taste as to what goes into it in addition to the usual ingredients such as ketchup, onion, sugar or another sweetener, something spicy, and such.

    My favorite is with bourbon, which lends a sweet but smoky aftertaste that is amazing.

    The difference between the 2 recipes

    The original recipe is redder, with a more defined tomato flavor, an onion and vinegar aftertaste, and the amount of hotness you like, since it's the added tabasco that gives it that extra kick -  I suggest you start with a teaspoon and see how it goes, since adding too much makes it hard to water down afterward, something I learned the hard way.

    It has a more traditional flavor, more old-fashioned.

    Jar with dripping red barbecue sauce on a wooden surface.

    The newer version, pictured below, of my loved bourbon barbecue sauce, is more sophisticated, with liquid smoke, soy sauce, and a few other ingredients. Its texture is more liquid and has a smoky aftertaste, a more adult version of what I always thought as barbecue sauce.

    Dripping jar with brown barbecue sauce, a wooden spoon on a wooden surface.

    Both are amazingly easy to make, nothing more than cooking the ingredients in a saucepan, stirring often to avoid burning the bottom, and then refrigerate it before using. Really easy and so worth making at home. Grilling season is ending somewhere but will start soon somewhere else.

    And a bourbon barbecue sauce is always a good idea to have in the fridge. You never know when the burger pang strikes.

    Which one do I choose? The darker one, with liquid smoke. For now at least.

    Brown barbecue sauce in jar with spoon beside it on a smeared wooden table.

    Related recipes you might like:

    • Top view of glass jar with chimichurri sauce and silver spoon, white surface
      Chimichurri Sauce (authentic recipe)
    • Several cut slices of juicy Rosemary Garlic Butter Steak on wooden board
      The best Rosemary Garlic Steak
    • Glass jar with peach chutney and a silver spoon. White marble surface.
      Fresh Peach Chutney (easy recipe)
    • Silver fork pinching mini sausage among several in white bowl, grey linen and wooden board underneath.
      Little Smokies Recipe

    Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
    You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series to Boost your Home Baking Skills! And our regular newsletter.
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    Two Smeared Jars of barbecue sauce on wooden table, spoons

    Bourbon Barbecue Sauce - two recipes

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    My quest for a favorite barbecue sauce ended when I tried it with bourbon. So good you guys! Two recipes that are amazing, different and so easy to make you wouldn't believe it!

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 1 ½ cups each

    Ingredients

    For the red one (right on top picture):

    • 1 cup (240g) ketchup
    • 2 Tablespoons molasses
    • 3 Tablespoons honey
    • â…“ cup bourbon
    • 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
    • ½ to 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
    • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder

    For the brown one (left on top picture):

    • 1 cup ketchup
    • ½ cup bourbon
    • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon molasses
    • 2 Tablespoon honey
    • 3 Tablespoon apple vinegar
    • 2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 1 ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon hot paprika
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. For both recipes, put all ingredients in a medium saucepan with high edges.
    2. Mix with a wooden spoon and cook at low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens a bit.
    3. Let cool completely, transfer to a container with lid, and refrigerate.
    4. It keeps for weeks, even months.
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 10
    • Category: Sauces
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: barbecue sauce

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @vintagekitchenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #vintagekitchenblog

    Adapted from Bon Appetit

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    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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    Comments

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    1. emmaorussell says

      September 13, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      I need to get the BBQ going again!! I especially like the sound of the brown one - great recipe!

      Reply
    2. Shulie Foodwanderings says

      April 17, 2016 at 1:47 pm

      Stunning!

      Reply
    3. Lora CakeDuchess says

      September 23, 2015 at 10:22 am

      I'm so craving just a taste of both of those sauces! But would be with Renee, one could be used for grilling and one for slow cooking, hopefully, on the same day! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Cathleen says

      September 20, 2015 at 7:43 pm

      For some reason, I have never thought of making my own barbecue sauce! This looks great!

      Reply
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