Grilling season is just about here so it is a perfect time to make our Homemade Pineapple Bourbon BBQ Sauce! See how easy this recipe is - you could have thick delicious barbecue sauce in less than 30 minutes.
Bourbon BBQ Sauce might just be the most delicious condiment ever! And if you love this, try our pineapple sweet and sour sauce, too.
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When grilling season rolls around, I love getting out of the house and experimenting with new flavors. I've made homemade BBQ sauce a few times now, and I love how simple it is to whip up. When it comes to making a sauce for basting, there are a couple of things I know I want:
- A thick luscious sauce that covers the meat or vegetables and hangs on - drippy sauces cause flare-ups.
- Balanced flavors that are not too sweet, spicy or tangy.
- Enough sugar to help give the grilled food nice caramelization on the grill, but not immediately burn.
This is the sauce I used on my grilled boneless pork chops and they are totally amazing!
Does Bourbon BBQ Sauce have alcohol?
Yes... bourbon! However, because the alcohol cooks off, you're just left with the delicious brown sugar flavor of bourbon.
However, if you don't want to use alcohol, you can just leave it out.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Ketchup
- Light Brown Sugar
- Pineapple Juice
- Crushed Pineapple
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Bourbon
- Molasses
- Salt and Pepper
- Granulated Garlic
- Onion Powder
- Parsley
- Red Pepper Flake
How Can I Make BBQ Sauce?
If you have never made your own BBQ sauce before, you might be intimidated, but it's really quite easy to do! The key is to get the right amount of acid, paired with just the right amount of sweet and heat.
In our Pineapple Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe, we're using ketchup as a base, which has vinegar in it. The Worcestershire also acts as an acid in this recipe. For sweetness, light brown sugar and molasses work together, along with the pineapple. This sauce is a little bit sweet, but there is just a pinch of red pepper flake to bring a hint of heat, too. If you like, you can also add a little cayenne pepper.
- Cook onions on low under translucent.
- Whisk in the ketchup, light brown sugar, pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, molasses, black pepper, granulate garlic, onion powder, chili powder, and salt.
- Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer 20-30 minutes.
Equipment
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- Sauce Pan
- Measuring Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup and Dry Measuring Cups
- Canning Jar Funnel and Ladle
- Whisk
- Immersion Blender
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How Long Should You Cook BBQ Sauce?
Our BBQ sauce recipe needs just 20-30 minutes to cook. That is plenty of time for all the flavors to come together and the sugars to caramelize a little. The longer this cooks, the thicker it will be, so take care not to let it go to long.
Recipe Variations
There are several other yummy flavors you could pair with this bourbon BBQ sauce instead of the pineapple. Substitute pineapple juice for apple juice and instead of crushed pineapple, use an equal amount of pureed peaches, plums, apricots or apples.
If you like a spicier sauce, try adding a bit of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the mixture. Always be sure to taste because a little goes a long way and it's easy to add more, but you can't take it out.
What is Bourbon BBQ sauce good on?
Well... what is it not good on?? My favorite way to use it is with pork, like in my grilled boneless pork chops recipe, but it is also delicious on chicken, too. Give it a try on grilled pork kabobs! Just skip the Asian marinade in the preparation. Slather on this gorgeous sauce and you're good to go!
If you love to grill, be sure to try our grilled top sirloin steak, grilled pork tenderloin, and grilled corn on the cob.
Similar Recipes
Try one of these other delicious recipes:
📌 Not ready to make this delicious bbq sauce yet?
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
You're going to love this bold but sweet BBQ sauce! It's perfect for pork and chicken but can hold its own for beef and veggies, too. Stay tuned for a new recipe next week with absolutely mouthwatering Grilled Pork Loin Roast using this tasty homemade BBQ sauce.
Incredible Pineapple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1½ cups light brown sugar
- ¾ cups pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed pineapple
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the diced onions and the olive oil. Cook over medium heat until the onions become translucent.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small onion
- Add the ketchup, light brown sugar, pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, molasses, black pepper, granulate garlic, onion powder, chili powder and salt. Whisk to combine.1 cup ketchup, 1½ cups light brown sugar, ¾ cups pineapple juice, ½ cup crushed pineapple, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, ½ cup bourbon, ¼ cup molasses, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon granulated garlic, ½ teaspoon onion powder, pinch red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens and reduces, about 20-30 minutes.
- Cool the BBQ sauce and then ladle into a mason jar.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
- Ladle
- Immersion Blender
jamie Sampson says
This sounds so delicious! I'm totally drooling!
Jamie
Todd says
Excellent recipe! Very similar to one I created years ago when I first discovered TJI Friday's Jack Sauce (they don't call it that anymore). I like to can my sauces for easier use in the future and to bring to my family out of state. I am wondering if this is acidic enough to be canned in a water bath or if it needs to pressure canned. Any ideas?
Ang Paris says
Hi Todd! I have not tried canning this as I normally make it in small batches. I have doubled it and put a jar in the freezer, which works great. If you try canning it, I'd love to know what you find.
Karen Howard says
This is on my grocery list for July. Need to buy bourbon! Lol. Definitely making lg. batches for Summer, Fall & for Christmas gifts. Thanks a bunch.
Tom S says
This sauce was amazing I was super excited that it didn't call for any extra cider vinegar I did add Some Habanero peppers 3 of them chopped up and I added an extra half a teaspoon of garlic and onion powder. I also substituted a quarter cup of sriracha ketchup for part if regular it came out so good. For those of you that don't wanna as sweet maybe you can add a little bit of cider vinegar
Ang Paris says
Hi Tom, I am so excited that my recipe inspired you to make your own version!
Thanks so much for visiting and leaving me a comment 🙂