15-Minute Apricot BBQ Sauce – Sweet and Spicy
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This 15-minute Apricot BBQ Sauce Recipe is a delicious combination of sweet apricots and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect as a marinade or dipping sauce for grilled meats, like salmon, chicken, pork, or beef.
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Why I love this homemade BBQ Sauce
- Unique flavor: Apricot BBQ sauce offers a distinct and unique flavor profile compared to traditional barbecue sauces.
- Sweet and tangy sauce: I live in Kansas City, where we are known for our BBQ. We tend to like a more sweet sauce than other barbecue cities.
- Versatile Sauce: This sauce is incredibly versatile and complements various dishes. Use it as a glaze for grilled meats like chicken, pork, or salmon, and it’s delicious on roasted vegetables.
- Summer vibes: Nothing says summer like this bright apricot sauce. It adds a refreshing and vibrant element to your grilling experience.
- Homemade is better: When you create a homemade sauce, you know exactly what is in it and how to pronounce all the ingredients! It’s also a great way to tailor the flavors to suit your preferences.
- It’s simply delicious: The top reason to love apricot BBQ sauce is its delightful taste. The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors makes it a delectable addition to any dish, making your meals more enjoyable and memorable.
HOW TO SERVE APRICOT BBQ SAUCE
- Grilled Items – Use the sauce on any grilled items like chicken breasts, salmon, or pork chops.
- Meatballs – Simmer meatballs in this sauce and serve as an appetizer.
- Crockpot Ribs – Sprinkle BBQ Seasoning on baby back ribs and cook in the crockpot for 8 hours. Remove the ribs and place them on a baking sheet that is lined with aluminum foil. Brush on the sauce and place under the broiler for 3 – 5 minutes.
- Brisket – Brisket is a delicious way to use this sauce.
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork – Spread the sauce on a bun for pulled pork sandwiches.
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
See full ingredient list in recipe card.
- Ketchup
- Apricot Preserves – This creates a sweetness much like brown sugar does in other barbeque sauce recipes. Apricot jam is a good substitution for preserves.
- Red Wine Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar can easily be substituted when making barbecue sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Smoked Paprika – To me, using smoked Paprika is essential to get the smokey flavor crucial in BBQ sauce. I discourage using liquid smoke as a replacement.
- Hot Sauce
Step-by-Step directions for making homemade apricot BBQ sauce.
Step 1: To a small saucepan, over medium heat, add ketchup, apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper and water.
Bring mixture to a boil, turn the heat down, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE
- Add the water last so that you can get the consistency you prefer.
- Add ½ – 1 teaspoon of cornstarch if the sauce is too thin.
- Let the sauce cool before transferring to an airtight container.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
FAQ
It’s best to serve BBQ sauce warm to keep whatever you are serving with the sauce hot.
This sauce will be nice and thick after cooking for 5 – 10 minutes.
Because fresh apricots can be hard to find, I find using apricot preserves best. To use fresh apricots you will need to cook them down and then add the sauce to a food processor to get the sauce smooth.
WANT TO STORE FOR LATER? HERE’S HOW…
Refrigerator: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. I like to use a mason jar.
Freezer: Cool leftover sauce to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. It will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. I prefer to use a resealable bag when freezing.
MORE MEMORABLE SAUCE RECIPES
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15-Minute Apricot BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 1 cup Apricot Preserves
- 3 1/5 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Ground Mustard
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
- 1-2 Tbsp Water
Instructions
- Add ketchup, apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and water to a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, turn the heat down, and simmer for 10 minutes.1 cup Ketchup, 1 cup Apricot Preserves, 3 1/5 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar, 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 Tbsp Ground Mustard, 2 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Hot Sauce, 1-2 Tbsp Water, 1/2 tsp Pepper
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
Notes
- Add the water last so that you can get the consistency you prefer.
- Add ½ – 1 teaspoon of cornstarch if the sauce is too thin.
- Let the sauce cool before transferring to an airtight container.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Was leery about the apricot BBQ sauce recipe since I’m not a fan of apricots. But this was delicious on some chicken breasts I recently grilled. Will definitely be using it again.
I’m glad you enjoyed. My favorite way to serve the sauce is on chicken!
Very good !!