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After tasting this Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce, you may never buy the stuff at the store again! This sauce is the perfect balance of smoky, zesty, and sweet! Great on pork, chicken, or beef!
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If there’s one condiment my family can’t live without, it’s BBQ sauce. We put it on everything – from burgers and ribs to fries or in place of pizza sauce and even eggs. While we have our go-to store brands, nothing beats a rich, smoky homemade BBQ sauce.
This Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce is the ultimate and best BBQ sauce. It’s smoky, sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy. Whether you’re grilling chicken, slow-cooking ribs, or making burgers, this homemade BBQ sauce recipe adds bold, delicious flavor to every bite.
How can I make BBQ sauce at home? It’s way easier than you think! This Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce recipe comes together on the stovetop with simple ingredients and a splash of bourbon for extra depth. If you’ve never made your own sauce before and wondered how can I make BBQ sauce, this is the perfect place to start.
Pro tip: Make it ahead so it has time to chill in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours – the flavor gets even better! I use this recipe in a homemade version of Red Robin’s Whiskey River BBQ Burger – be sure to check it out!
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Way better than anything from a bottle
- Deep, smoky flavor from bourbon and liquid smoke
- Versatile – use it on pork, chicken, burgers, or as a dip
- Easy to make in under an hour
- Makes a great gift in a cute jar!
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- onion – use shallots for a milder flavor
- garlic – substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed
- bourbon whiskey – substitute with apple juice for an alcohol-free version
- ketchup – no substitution recommended
- brown sugar – substitute with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness
- apple cider vinegar – substitute with white vinegar or lemon juice
- tomato paste – substitute with extra ketchup if needed
- Worcestershire sauce – substitute with soy sauce; for a closer flavor, mix soy sauce with a splash of vinegar and a bit of molasses or brown sugar
- liquid smoke – omit if unavailable, but it adds key smoky flavor
- salt – adjust to taste
- black pepper – no substitution recommended
- hot pepper sauce – substitute with crushed red pepper or cayenne to taste
✨ Variations
- Add crushed red pepper for extra heat
- Stir in a few teaspoons of honey or molasses for a richer sweetness
- Try smoked paprika for even more depth
- Swap bourbon with apple juice for a non-alcoholic version
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🔥 Tips
- Let it simmer to fully develop the flavor
- For a smooth sauce, strain out the onion and garlic
- Cool completely before storing in the fridge
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed
❓ FAQs
Absolutely! It’s great on fries, pizza, eggs, and even as a sandwich spread.
It keeps in the fridge for 10 to 14 days when stored in an airtight container.
Yes! Just replace the bourbon with apple juice. You’ll still get great flavor.
The bourbon gives it a rich, bold flavor that sets it apart from standard homemade BBQ sauce.
Yes! For a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer until it reduces. For a thinner consistency, add a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired texture.
Most of the alcohol will cook off during simmering, but not all of it. If you want to avoid alcohol completely, use apple juice instead.
You sure can! Just coat your meat and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
It has a little kick, but it’s easy to adjust. Add more hot sauce for heat or leave it out for a milder sauce.
Definitely. It scales up well. Just use a larger pot and stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom.
This recipe hasn’t been tested for canning, so it’s best to refrigerate or freeze it for safety.
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Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce
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Equipment
- medium saucepan
- garlic press
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 – 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 cups ketchup
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
Instructions
- Bring the onion, garlic and whiskey to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Lower heat to a simmer and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Use BBQ sauce in your favorite recipes or as a dip or topping ingredient.
- Store in refrigerator and use within 10-14 days.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days.
- Let the sauce cool completely before transferring to a container.
♨️ REHEATING
- Stovetop: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
❄️ FREEZING
- Cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Let the sauce chill for 12-24 hours before using for deeper flavor.
- Simmer gently to prevent burning and allow the flavors to develop.
- Strain for a smooth texture if preferred.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- This recipe is designed for stovetop preparation only – no alternate methods are needed.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Use as a glaze for grilled meats, a dipping sauce for fries, or spread on burgers and sandwiches.
- Stir into baked beans or use as a base for BBQ chicken pizza.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce sounds absolutely delicious! I can already imagine how the rich flavors will elevate my grilled dishes. Can’t wait to try it out at my next cookout! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!