Bourbon Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce

I was born and raised in barbecue country.  I called Kansas City home for more than thirty years before moving to New England.  In Kansas City, you can throw a stone and find four delicious barbecue joints.  Each one has a specialty, a dish that they are known for.  They all have their own sauces.  In Kansas City, barbecue sauce is a thick ketchup and molasses based concoction that adds heat and flavor to everything it touches.

Moving away from Kansas City didn’t mean that I was leaving my appreciation for good barbecue behind.  It did mean that I was going to need to develop my own barbecue sauce because I could no longer depend on finding a barbecue joint around every corner.  Fortunately, making a batch of barbecue sauce is a quick and easy process. 

I started tinkering.  I added a bit of this and that, adjusting the seasonings and spices until they were just to our liking.  I make sure that we have a Mason jar full of this delicious sauce in the refrigerator at all times because we use it liberally on burgers, sandwiches, and even drizzle it over a fried egg when enjoying a sandwich or salad topped with a fresh egg from our chickens and ducks.

I like to add a bit of bourbon to my barbecue sauce.  If you prefer, it can be omitted and will lead to a slightly thicker sauce that requires less time to reduce and thicken on the stove.  In fact, you can easily adjust any of the ingredients to suit your tastes.  If you like your sauce spicy, a bit of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce added to the mix brings a delicious smoky heat that is sure to be a hit at your dinner table.  It certainly is at ours!

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Bourbon Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce

Jennifer from 1840 Farm

This recipe is very adaptable. You can omit and change the ingredients based on your tastes and preferences. I like to use soy sauce as my source of salt as it adds a nice color and flavor. If you prefer, it can be omitted, seasoning the sauce with the salt you use in your kitchen. If you like a spicy sauce, you can add a bit of minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce or a pinch of cayenne and chili powder.

Cuisine: American

Author: Jennifer from 1840 Farm

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup bourbon
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon molasses
• 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a bare simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Simmer gently until the sugar is completely dissolved and the sauce has thickened to your liking. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Transfer the sauce to a Mason jar or other container with a tight fitting lid. This barbecue sauce stores well in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Tried this recipe?Mention @1840Farm or tag #1840FarmFood! We can't wait to see what you make!