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!
Best BBQ Sauce
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.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- 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.♨️ REHEATING
Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.❄️ FREEZING
Let the sauce cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Use freshly minced garlic for the boldest flavor.
- Let the sauce simmer fully to deepen the taste.
- Adjust the hot pepper sauce to suit your spice preference.
- If you prefer a smooth sauce, run the sauce through a sieve or strainer to remove onion and garlic bits.
- This sauce is best if it has time to chill out for about 12-24 hours, so plan ahead!
♻️ LEFTOVERS
Use leftovers as a glaze for grilled meats, a dip for fries, or a sandwich spread.Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on June 9, 2015. Updated on June 1, 2025.
I’m Jamie, a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!
This looks fantastic, Jamie ! I like trying out new BBQ sauces {and I LOVE a good whiskey, some in the sauce, and some in a glass 😉 }
Oh YUM!! Two of this families faves, Jim Beam and BBQ!! Can't wait to try it!
This looks amazing Jamie!
I love making homemade BBQ sauce, and I love the sound of the bourbon! Definitely making this soon!
Jorden is ALWAYS bugging me about making my own bbq sauce….I have to get on this! Looks amazing!
Made this today to go on country ribs. Since I only had Peach Jim Beam, I decided to just throw in one of the Juicy peaches that was laying on the counter.. Came out wonderful..Son loves it..Will be doing it again for sure…Thanks for sharing it.
This looks delicious! Wish I could can it!
Can this be canned? If so, how long? Pressure canned???
The time it takes to water bath can barbecue sauce depends on the altitude at which you’re canning:
Up to 1,000 ft: Process for 20 minutes
1,001–6,000 ft: Process for 15 minutes
Above 6,000 ft: Process for 20 minutes
I love yours recipes .
Do you have gluten free bread recipes?
I’m sorry, I don’t.
I made this for my family with a few tweeks (our family says a recipie is a guideline). This is the only BBQ allowed at our house now. My boyfriend does all the grilling at our house and he now refuses to buy store bought sauce.
Making a x6 recipie and canning it today. I will process in the pressure cooker for 45 minutes for pints(90 for quarts) let cool for 24hours before moving, then label and store.
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!