Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Honey bourbon BBQ Sauce is a rich and flavorful sauce that combines the sweetness of honey with the smoky depth of bourbon, creating the perfect sauce for grilling pork tenderloin, chicken, salmon, and shrimp.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.
Why you’ll love this Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe
Rich and Complex Flavor Profile: Honey bourbon BBQ sauce combines the natural sweetness of honey with the warm, smoky flavor of bourbon. This blend creates a flavor profile that’s both sweet and savory, with a subtle hint of sophistication from the addition of bourbon.
Delicious Twist – Creating honey bourbon BBQ sauce adds a unique twist from the sauce you purchase at the grocery store. This sauce makes these Honey Bourbon Chicken Wings a favorite on my website.
Impressive Entertaining Option: Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, a dinner party, or a casual get-together, the distinct flavors of the sauce are sure to make your dinner stand out and be memorable.
Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce – Preparing your own barbecue sauce allows you to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. You won’t find any high fructose corn syrup in this recipe.
We love Apricot Homemade Barbecue Sauce too. It’s way better than a store-bought version.
Ingredients to make bourbon honey barbecue sauce
See the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness and caramelized flavor to BBQ sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Imparts a tangy and slightly fruity flavor that complements the sauce’s richness and balances out the sweetness from other ingredients like sugar or ketchup. White vinegar can be substituted.
- Ketchup – The base of the sauce.
- Honey – Maple syrup is a good substitute if you don’t have honey.
- Bourbon – Use your favorite drinking bourbons like Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Wild Turkey or Maker’s Mark.
- Corn Starch – Helps to thicken the sauce.
- Garlic
- Dijon Mustard – Brings a combination of sharpness and tanginess with a hint of spiciness, adding depth and complexity to the sauce’s overall taste profile.
BBQ Spice Blend
We love BBQ Spice Rub to accompany this homemade sauce. It’s perfect on all grilled meats and grilled vegetables.
This spice blend has paprika, garlic powder, celery salt, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
How to make bourbon barbecue sauce
Step 1: To a small sauce pan, add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, honey, ketchup, bourbon, cornstarch, garlic, and Dijon mustard to a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
The sauce should coat the back of a spoon and continue thickening as it cools.
Step 2: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
FAQ
This honey bourbon sauce tastes both sweet and smokey with a hint of spicy.
The cornstarch in the recipe helps to thicken the sauce.
I suggest using the kind of bourbon you like to drink, but keep in mind it’s not important to use a super expensive brand.
Ways to use Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Grilling Glaze: Brush bourbon BBQ sauce onto meats like chicken, pork ribs, pork chops, or beef burgers during the last few minutes of grilling for a caramelized and flavorful glaze.
Dipping Sauce: Serve bourbon BBQ sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, french fries, onion rings, or other fried foods.
Sandwich Spread: Use bourbon BBQ sauce as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, and sliders to add a tangy and smoky kick to your favorite handheld meals.
Marinade: Let meats marinate in bourbon BBQ sauce for a few hours or overnight before grilling or baking to infuse them with rich flavor and moisture.
How to store sauce
Cool the sauce completely before storing it in an airtight container like a mason jar.
Because homemade sauce has fewer preservatives than the kind you purchase at the grocery store, the shelf life is shorter. The sauce is good in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Try these honey bourbon meatballs
These chicken meatballs are coated in a sticky-sweet honey bourbon glaze, making them the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish for any occasion.
More sauce recipes
Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Packed
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Bourbon
- 1 tsp Corn Starch
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
Instructions
- Add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, honey, bourbon, cornstarch, garlic, and Dijon mustard to a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15-20 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon and continue thickening as it cools.2 tablespoons Brown Sugar, 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 cup Ketchup, 1/2 cup Bourbon, 1 tsp Corn Starch, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1/4 cup Honey
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
Notes
- 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 flake
Bourbon and BBQ Sauce. Now that’s a match made in heaven. And this recipe is divine. It’s a “must-have” condiment found in my refrigerator on a continual basis. Thanks so much for sharing Jill.
Thanks Kristy!
Where’s the honey in your recipe?
I’m so sorry! I’ve just updated the recipe card. You’ll want to use 1/4 cup of honey. Thanks so much for commenting and helping me get this fixed!