Sweet and sticky with just the right amount of heat, this Bourbon BBQ Sauce has a richness and depth of flavor like no other BBQ sauce recipe. Enjoy slathered over your favorite grilled meats all summer long!
Drizzle some on Pulled Pork and pair it with our favorite Coleslaw and Macaroni Salad for a complete meal.
The Best BBQ Sauce Recipe
The next time you fire up the grill, you’ll want to make a batch of this sweet & sticky bourbon BBQ sauce to slather all over your favorite grilled meats!
While I have a classic homemade BBQ sauce recipe that I love, this bourbon BBQ sauce is a great way to switch things up.
It has a richness and great depth of flavor like no other BBQ sauce you’ve ever had, thanks to the addition of bourbon. With the right balance of sweetness from the brown sugar and heat from the crushed red pepper, this BBQ sauce will wake up those taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Here are a few reasons we love this homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
- Quick and easy. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare this BBQ sauce from scratch, so it’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.
- Leftovers store well. You can also make this BBQ sauce in advance and store it in the fridge or freezer, so you have it on-hand anytime. (Full storage directions below.)
- Incredible flavor. A little sweet, a little savory, and just a bit of heat…this bourbon BBQ sauce will ignite all of your taste buds!
Does Bourbon BBQ Sauce Contain Alcohol?
As the name suggestions, this BBQ sauce recipe does contain bourbon – but its added for flavor, not to make this BBQ sauce boozy.
If you are concerned about the BBQ sauce being too ‘boozy’, simply stick to the cooking instructions with regards to the time needed to boil down. The alcohol will boil off leaving you with a rich & full-bodied BBQ sauce without any residual alcohol taste.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Bourbon – I used Bulleit but you can use any bourbon that you like.
- Ketchup – The tomato-y base to the BBQ sauce.
- Brown sugar & molasses – Both ingredients sweeten the BBQ sauce and help create the sticky texture.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a bit of tang to balance the other ingredients.
- Worcestershire sauce – For savory undertones.
- Soy sauce – Adds a bit of savory umami flavor.
- Dijon mustard – Adds a bit of tanginess.
- Spices – Granulated onion, garlic, black pepper, and crushed dried pepper add flavor and heat to this BBQ sauce recipe.
How to Make Bourbon BBQ Sauce
This homemade barbecue sauce recipe is quick and easy to prepare and it stores well, so you can enjoy it anytime.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Combine the ingredients. Whisk the bourbon and ketchup in a saucepan over medium/high heat. Whisk in the remaining ingredients.
- Thicken. Reduce the heat to medium/low. Continue to cook until the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate. Use immediately or transfer to heat-proof glass jars and refrigerate.
Tips and Variations
Here are a few tips for making the best bourbon BBQ sauce.
- Use honey instead of molasses. Honey is an excellent replacement for molasses and will provide the same sweet and sticky results.
- Double the recipe. You can easily double this recipe and store whatever you don’t use right away.
- Don’t use expensive bourbon. There’s no need to use fancy or expensive bourbon in this recipe, since the liquor cooks off. Any bourbon you enjoy drinking will work.
- Can I use whiskey instead of bourbon? All bourbon is a type of whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Yes, you can make this a whiskey BBQ sauce by using your favorite whiskey in place of the bourbon.
Ways to Use Homemade BBQ Sauce
There are so many ways to use this bourbon BBQ sauce. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Grilled chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs or Grilled Baby Back Ribs
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- As a dip for chicken tenders or fries
Basically, you can use this BBQ sauce recipe in place of regular BBQ sauce in pretty much any dish.
Proper Storage
- Storing leftovers. Store your bourbon BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. Glass canning jars work well. If sealed properly, your homemade BBQ sauce will last for up to 3 months in the fridge.
- Freeze. This Bourbon BBQ Sauce freezes well, which is a great reason to make a double batch. Just transfer any extra to a freezer-safe container and freeze for several months. Thaw in the fridge then enjoy!
More Homemade Sauces and Condiments:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup bourbon (I used Bulleit)
- 2 cups ketchup
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons molasses
- 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons granulated onion
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
Instructions
- On medium/high heat, add bourbon and ketchup to a medium-sized saucepan (about a 3-quart capacity), and whisk to combine.
- Add the remaining ingredients whisking until fully incorporated.
- Reduce heat to medium/low and continue cooking until the mixture has thickened and is reduced to 3 cups (about 15 minutes).
- Pour sauce into heat-proof glass jars and refrigerate until needed.
