Name: Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 16 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.25 cup Onion; 4 cloves Garlic; 0.75 cup Whiskey or Bourbon; 2 cups Ketchup; 0.5 cup Brown Sugar; 0.333 cup Apple Cider Vinegar; 0.25 cup Tomato Paste; 0.25 cup Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons Liquid Smoke; 2 teaspoons Salt; 0.5 tsp Hot Sauce; 0.25 tsp Ground Black Pepper

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Bourbon BBQ Sauce

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

¼ cup OnionMinced

4 cloves Garlicminced

¾ cup Whiskey or Bourbon

2 cups Ketchup

½ cup Brown Sugar

⅓ cup Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ cup Tomato Paste

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Liquid Smoke

2 teaspoons Salt

½ tsp Hot Sauce

¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

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Instructions

Add minced onion, minced garlic and whisky to a large sauce pan over medium-high heat.

Simmer for 7-10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.

Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, salt, hot sauce and ground black pepper.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the mixture until smooth.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Caramelize Your Aromatics 🧅
Sauté diced garlic and onion in a pan until deeply browned before adding other ingredients—this develops rich, complex flavors that elevate the entire sauce.
Toast the Tomato Paste 🍅
Cook tomato paste in oil for 2-3 minutes before mixing in liquids to remove the tinny taste and concentrate its natural sweetness and umami.
Bloom Your Bourbon 🥃
Add bourbon to a hot pan for 30 seconds to let the alcohol burn off while its complex flavors infuse the sauce—this creates depth without harshness.
Balance Acidity in Layers ⚖️
Add vinegar and hot sauce gradually while tasting, rather than all at once, to achieve the perfect sweet-spicy-tangy balance without overpowering the sauce.
Simmer Low and Slow 🔥
Let the sauce bubble gently for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the consistency to naturally thicken, creating a glossy coating that clings to meat.