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You are here: Home / Recipes / Condiments / Sauces / Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce

By Traci · Jump to Recipe ·
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.

Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce is tangy, with smoky flavors, spicy and sweet! An easy, quick and totally mouthwatering BBQ sauce recipe for all your saucin’ needs. Enjoy with Vegetarian Baked Beans, and BBQ Chickpea Veggie Burgers! This recipe is vegetarian and vegan friendly and easily gluten free.

Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

This post was updated June 2019 with new photography and additional notes. 

Table of Contents

  • Homemade BBQ Sauce is the Best!
  • How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce from Scratch
  • A Combination of Mouthwatering Flavors
  • How Long will Bourbon BBQ Sauce Last?
  • Can Vegetarians and Vegans Eat BBQ Sauce?
  • A Few BBQ Sauce Recipe Notes
  • Things to Slather Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce on
  • Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

Homemade BBQ Sauce is the Best!

Have you made homemade BBQ sauce? I wasn’t a believer, until I tasted it and then learned how to make BBQ sauce from scratch. It’s soooo good drizzled on BBQ Cauliflower Ranch Bowls, as a dip with Crispy Oven Fries, or drizzled on Chickpea Veggie Burgers.

I have my standard go-to store-bought sauce… and it’s a good one when in a pinch. However, I found that I can control the flavors and ingredients easily when I make homemade barbecue sauce. And, I really love a sweet and spicy, whiskey BBQ sauce.

Hey, my Texas roots are showin, y’all!

And it’s so easy to whip up a batch of barbecue sauce, so why not? IMO, homemade BBQ sauce is the best BBQ sauce!

Homemade BBQ Sauce Pin

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce from Scratch

It takes a few pantry staples and 15 minutes of simmering for saucy BBQ sauce heaven to be made. In summary, here’s how to make this smoky BBQ sauce (see recipe card for details):

  • First, in a sauce pan, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, adobo sauce, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Balsamic vinegar, liquid smoke, yellow mustard, apple juice, Bourbon whiskey (see note***) and salt. 
  • Second, bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat down.
  • Third, simmer the mixture for 15 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken. 
  • Last, remove from heat and it’s ready to be used, or chilled for later.

The mixture will be smooth and will thicken as it cools. Use right away in your favorite BBQ recipe or store in the refrigerator or freezer for later.

A Combination of Mouthwatering Flavors

My favorite part of this smoky BBQ sauce recipe? The whiskey and smokiness of the adobo and liquid smoke. Although the alcohol cooks off, the bourbon flavor remains. Combine the interest of bourbon with the smokiness adobo sauce and liquid smoke, the subtle sweetness of apple juice and brown sugar, and the tang from vinegar, you’ll be slathering this on anything to savor this mouthwatering Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce.

A spoon will work too, if inclined…

Heat the Bourbon BBQ Sauce Ingredients in a pan.    Whisk the Whiskey BBQ Sauce Ingredients.Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

How Long will Bourbon BBQ Sauce Last?

A long time, unless you devour it all! I typically double batch and freeze for later. It’s really nice to have BBQ sauce on hand when you need it. 

  • Store BBQ sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
  • Freeze barbecue sauce for up to six months!

Can Vegetarians and Vegans Eat BBQ Sauce?

Absolutely yes! But if following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, you’ll need to pay attention to the ingredients. For this recipe, one ingredient in particular.

I’ve formulated this Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe to be vegetarian and vegan friendly with only one easy swap: vegetarian Worcestershire instead of traditional Worcestershire because traditional Worcestershire has anchovies in it.  That’s the only ingredient that needs special attention if vegan or vegetarian! Vegan BBQ sauce tastes just as delicious as its original self.

Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

A Few BBQ Sauce Recipe Notes

  • Worcestershire sauce: the original is not vegetarian because it contains anchovies. So, to be sure you’re making vegetarian and vegan homemade barbecue sauce sauce, look for vegan friendly Worcestershire sauce. I like Annie’s and Wizard’s. Their flavor is remarkably similar to the original! 
  • Coconut Sugar may be used instead of brown sugar in this recipe. However, the sauce will not be quite as thick, and it’s a little less sweet.
  • Find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in the Mexican ingredient section of the grocery store. It comes in a 7 oz can. Look for gluten free if needed. The leftovers freeze beautifully!
  • If gluten free, make sure the Worcestershire is gluten free. Wizard’s is. 
  • This barbecue sauce freezes with ease. I typically make a double batch and freeze for use through the summer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to use.

Things to Slather Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce on

  • Grilled BBQ Cauliflower Ranch Bowls
  • Portobello BBQ Sandwiches
  • Black Bean Burgers with Saucy Onions
  • Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans
  • TOFU BBQ with Summer Veggies
  • Black Eyed Pea Collard Rolls
  • Black Eyed Peas with Smoky Collards
Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
Print Recipe

Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Servings:1 3/4 Cups
Calories:1379kcal
Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean
Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce is tangy, with smoky flavors, spicy and sweet! An easy, quick and totally mouthwatering BBQ sauce recipe for all your saucin' needs. This recipe is vegetarian + vegan + easily gluten free.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (175 grams) Light Brown Sugar*
  • 2/3 cup (160 grams) Apple Juice
  • 2/3 cup (195 grams) Ketchup
  • 1/3 cup (65 grams) Bourbon Whiskey (see note for gluten free)***
  • 3 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Sea Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce vegetarian friendly, gluten free if needed
  • 2 teaspoons Adobo Sauce** look for gluten free if needed
  • 2 teaspoons Yellow Mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Liquid Smoke optional but bumps up smokiness!
  • 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco optional - to turn up the heat!

Instructions

  • In a small saucepot, whisk together the brown sugar, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon, vinegar, salt, worchestershire, adobo, and mustard together on medium-high heat. As soon as it starts to boil, turn the heat to medium-low and bring the sauce to a simmer. This sauce will boil over and make a mess if left to boil, so watch it closely.
  • Simmer for 15 minutes. Whisk as needed to incorporate all the ingredients. The sauce will start to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will continue to thicken. Add the optional liquid smoke and tabasco. Adjust Tabasco heat to taste.
  • Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator in a lidded container or up to six months in the freezer (be sure to leave at least a 1/2" head space if freezing). 

Notes

*1 C (158g) Coconut Sugar may be used instead of brown sugar in this recipe. However, the sauce will not be quite as thick, and it's a little less sweet.
**Find Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce in the Mexican ingredient section. It comes in a 7oz can. Look for gluten free if needed. The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freezer for up to several months. 
***My homemade sauce contains bourbon. Opt to use what best fits your diet/needs whether a traditional bourbon/whiskey or a sorghum based whiskey, you can add more apple juice instead of bourbon or leave it out all together if preferred. Conflicting information remains regarding distilled spirits being okay to consume for some gluten free individuals, but may not be okay for all.
Recipe Adapted From Jamie Oliver's BBQ Sauce
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Calories: 1379kcal | Carbohydrates: 294g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7229mg | Potassium: 1289mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 275g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Vitamin C: 13.4mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 4.9mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!
Pinterest pin for smoky bourbon BBQ sauce.

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I’m Traci and this is my blog. So Glad You Stopped By!

Here you’ll find full of flavor vegetarian comfort food with vegan and gluten free recipes too. I also share sourdough, sweets and naturally sweetened baked goods and desserts recipes because we all gotta have a little balance!

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