Description
This smoky-sweet maple bourbon BBQ sauce is quick, easy, and perfect for grilling, dipping, or glazing. It strikes the perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of ketchup, 1/2 cup of maple syrup, and 1/4 cup of bourbon.
- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Stir the ingredients together until fully combined.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it starts to simmer. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together, remove it from heat.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container for storage. It will thicken further as it cools.
Notes
[‘Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust to your liking—add more vinegar for tang, a pinch of cayenne for heat, or extra maple syrup for sweetness.’, ‘Simmering allows the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken. Rushing this step can result in a thin or unbalanced sauce.’, ‘This sauce tastes even better after a day in the fridge, so feel free to prep it in advance.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 150
- Carbohydrates: 10
Keywords: BBQ sauce, maple bourbon, grilling, smoky, sweet, tangy, homemade sauce