Must Try Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
Dive into flavor with this must-try apple bourbon BBQ sauce! Sweet apples, rich bourbon, and smoky spices blend perfectly to elevate your grilling game.
This recipe makes a delicious homemade BBQ sauce that you simply must try! It’s the saucy sidekick your grill’s been waiting for.
This is one of those super easy recipes that will teach you how to create your own BBQ sauce! This sauce combines homemade applesauce made with sweet fresh apples, rich aged bourbon, and just the right hit of smoky flavor. You’re going to love it!
I whipped this up one weekend while wrangling my teen boys and their endless hunger, and now they ask for it on everything. Seriously, if they could dip pizza in it, they would.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This BBQ sauce recipe hits all the right notes: it’s sweet, tangy, and smoky. It’s also totally customizable—amp up the heat, cut the sugar, or tweak the spices to make it your own. Plus, it’s a fabulous way to use those granny smith apples from your fall haul.
Whether you’re basting chicken wings, drizzling it over pulled pork, or dunking French fries, this sauce is the perfect addition to your grill game. And your taste buds? They’re about to be obsessed.
We’re talking next-level deliciousness here. This isn’t your basic store-bought variety loaded with high fructose corn syrup—this is a fruit-based BBQ sauce with real, tender bits of apple, bold spices, and that unforgettable distinctive flavor of good bourbon. Trust me, once you make your own, there’s no going back.
It’s the perfect dipping sauce to make in the fall during apple season! We love it on this smoked pulled pork, BBQ burger, and chicken wings.
You can easily control the smoky flavors, sugar content, and level of heat by creating your own sauce this barbecue season.
Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
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Supplies
Ingredients
Start with a few simple ingredients from the grocery store. The full list can be found in the recipe card below.
- Apples, cored, peeled, and sliced – You can also substitute 1 cup of store-bought applesauce for the apples, butter, and brown sugar.
- Butter – Use what you have on hand, whether salted or unsalted.
- Brown sugar – I like to use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor, but light brown works too.
- Ketchup – The classic BBQ base.
- Red wine vinegar – Adds that punchy tang; apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can sub in just fine.
- Kentucky Bourbon – Use your favorite aged bourbon of choice.
- Worcestershire sauce – The umami MVP, here to round out the sweet flavors.
- Salt, paprika, and black pepper – This trio brings the savory, the smoky, and a little heat.
Instructions
1. Toss your peeled, cored, and sliced apples into a small saucepan with the butter and brown sugar.
2. Simmer over medium heat until the apples are soft enough to mash with a fork. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix.
4. Use a handheld blender to blend everything to a smooth consistency.
Note: You can also pour the sauce into a traditional blender or use a food processor to blend.
5. Serve immediately or cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.
We made delicious smoked burgers on the Traeger the other day and, I have to say, this perfect barbecue sauce was my favorite part! The natural sweetness of the apples and smoky notes of bourbon are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
How to Store BBQ Sauce
This apple butter bourbon sauce can be kept in an airtight container for a few weeks. We like to store this natural BBQ sauce in a mason jar in the fridge to use all summer long.
Tips and Tricks
- For a smoky twist, add a dash of liquid smoke or try a touch of chipotle chilies.
- Use tomato paste mixed with water if you’re out of ketchup and want to skip the extra sugar.
- Adjust the heat level with a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
- Make a big batch and seal it in jars using a water bath canning method for shelf stability.
- Serve warm or cold—this sauce shines either way.
This great sauce comes together perfectly with the ingredients listed, however, you can play with the original recipe by adding a few things to those basics. Give your homemade BBQ sauce a depth of flavor that you can call your own. Simply add or substitute ingredients to your liking.
We also love this amazing Alabama white sauce recipe that you should totally try!
Substitutions
Try these variations when creating your own barbecue sauce.
- Use tomato paste or tomato sauce mixed with water instead of ketchup.
- Add yellow mustard, dry mustard, or mustard powder.
- Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be used instead of red wine.
- A dash of cayenne pepper will add extra heat to this homemade sauce.
- Add onion powder, garlic powder, or hot sauce to taste.
- This easy BBQ sauce is perfect for adding to all kinds of dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does apple bourbon BBQ sauce taste like?
It’s sweet, tangy, smoky, and a little spicy with a warm bourbon kick.
How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?
Stored in a glass jar or airtight container in the fridge, it’ll keep for 2-3 weeks.
Can I make it without bourbon?
Sure! Just swap the bourbon for apple juice or a splash of lemon juice if you’re keeping it kid-friendly or booze-free.
Can I freeze BBQ sauce?
Absolutely. Pop it into freezer-safe jars or containers, leaving a little space at the top. It’ll keep for months, ready for whenever the grill calls.
What can I use this BBQ sauce on?
Everything from ribs to chicken nuggets! We especially love it on smoked brisket, BBQ chicken, and yep—even drizzled over French fries.
What should you use this sauce on? Pretty much everything! It’s teenager and dude approved!
BBQ Sauce Suggestions
- Pork chops
- Smoked chicken
- French fries
- BBQ chicken
- Barbecue ribs
- Smoked hot dogs
- Pork shoulder
- Chicken nuggets
- Smoked brisket
I am sure that there are other things that this BBQ sauce would be amazing paired with! Just try it and tell us which one was your favorite.
Be sure to check out these 20+ Best Smoker Recipes on a Pellet Grill too!
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Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples cored, peeled and sliced
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ cup ketchup
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup bourbon
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Core and peel the apples, slice and then cook them on the stovetop on medium heat in a small sauce pan with butter and one tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Once fork tender and easy to mash, cool and add to a medium bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix.
- Use a handheld blender to blend everything to a smooth consistency.
- Serve immediately or cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Notes
- 1 cup of store-bought applesauce may be substituted for the apples, butter, and tablespoon of brown sugar.
- You can also pour the sauce into a traditional blender or use a food processor to blend.
- For a smoky twist, add a dash of liquid smoke or try a touch of chipotle chilies.
- Use tomato paste mixed with water if you’re out of ketchup and want to skip the extra sugar.
- Adjust the heat level with a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
- Make a big batch and seal it in jars using a water bath canning method for shelf stability.
- Serve warm or cold—this sauce shines either way.
Nutrition
