Rich Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Sauce
A silky, sticky, sweet-and-smoky BBQ sauce with the warmth of bourbon and caramel sweetness from brown sugar. Perfect for ribs, chicken, veggies, or as a dip.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups (approximately 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (220g) packed brown sugar (dark or light)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup (240ml) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, stir together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and hot sauce if using. Stir well to combine.
- Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Remove from heat and whisk in unsalted butter until melted and smooth, if using.
- Let sauce cool slightly before transferring to a jar or airtight container. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Simmer sauce slowly to allow bourbon to mellow and sugar to caramelize for best texture. Stir often to prevent burning. If sauce thickens too much after cooling, stir in a splash of water or bourbon to loosen. Butter is optional but adds richness and sheen. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce and ketchup brands. Bourbon can be substituted with smoky whiskey or rum. Adjust seasoning to taste with more vinegar, sugar, or spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 13
Keywords: BBQ sauce, bourbon BBQ sauce, brown sugar BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, sweet and smoky sauce, grilling sauce