Jazz up your main dishes with this easy, homemade maple bourbon BBQ sauce. Ketchup and other kitchen staples simmer on the stove top for a customizable sauce. It can be made from mild to spicy or somewhere in between!
It's a little bit embarrassing, but I can't remember eating BBQ until my early 20s. Say what? I certainly can't complain as we had a million delicious cuisines growing up in NJ, but BBQ just wasn't part of our repertoire. That all changed once we moved to San Diego. We lived super close to a BBQ place that quickly became one of our favorite take-out options. Hello brisket, pulled pork, ribs. SO good.
Now though we live in Nashville and BBQ is all over the place. When things get a little crazy at work sometimes we'll bring in mass amounts of BBQ for lunch and no matter where we order from, hoooly smokes, it's amazing. Inevitably on those days I spend the afternoon in a food coma after indulging a little too much, which may or may not make hours of work that much more difficult to power through. A price worth paying, I think.
In celebration of all things BBQ, I posted B's favorite BBQ sauce last year while we were trekking from CA to TN on our move. We do still make that recipe (I mean, it was billed as Brian's favorite for a reason), but this one has snuck in there as another favorite of his. Well, both of ours. 🙂 Basic kitchen spices and flavorings are added to ketchup, along with maple syrup for a bit of sweetness and bourbon for extra flavor!
We used ½ cup of bourbon, which lent a nice bourbon flavor in the finished product, but you can certainly add less if you're looking for a milder flavor in that regard. As the BBQ sauce comes to a boil and then simmers for about 40 minutes after the bourbon is added, the majority of the alcohol is burnt off, leaving the bourbon flavor behind.
We've been loving this maple bourbon BBQ sauce on plenty of main meals, even if they're not quintessential BBQ foods like pulled chicken/pork. Lately a drizzle on a beef/turkey/veggie burger or over baked beans has been my favorite way to enjoy!
Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ - ½ cup bourbon, to taste
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon honey mustard
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ - 1 teaspoon hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- All all ingredients to a sauce pan set over medium heat and stir so that everything is evenly combined. Let mixture cook until it reaches a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low or low-medium and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes as the sauce reduces. Once sauce has thickened to your liking, let cool and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
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Sam says
Everyone here is planning on making it, but nobody has. So, let me be the first to post a review after actually making it. It was a HUGE hit with my family. My boys absolutely loved it, as did I. Used it on ribs. We didn't have a drop of sauce left. Used half Jack Daniel's and half Jack Daniel's apple whiskey. I plan on sharing this one with everyone.
Alyssa says
I'm so glad you like it, Sam! The Jack and Jack apple combo sounds delicious - I'll have to give that a try! Thanks for letting me know how it went.
Sam says
Oops, in the process of making this for a friend. I did not use Jack's. It was half Jim Beam and half Jim Beam Apple!
Alyssa says
Perfect! I haven't gotten around to making this sauce yet with your apple whiskey combo (I seem to have a never-ending recipe list...) so I'll be on the lookout for Jim Beam. 🙂
Philip says
Planning to make this sauce to go with pulled pork rubbed in a brown sugar bourbon rub and smoked over chipped bourbon barrels. How long will the sauce keep?
Alyssa says
Hi Philip, that pulled pork sounds delicious! This sauce should keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks, maybe even longer.
Ashley says
haha you're not alone! I don't think I had BBQ until college when I moved to North Carolina! I vaguely remember one BBQ place in NJ where I grew up but it just wasn't big there.
But anyway, this sauce sounds awesome! Plus, there's bourbon involved which is just so fun!
Alyssa says
Right? It's not like people in NJ don't love to eat. I think there's just too much good food up there that gets in the way! Thanks Ashley!
Terri says
This barbecue sauce will certainly enhance any meat that we put in the grill. Can't wait to pick up a slab of ribs... Let the barbequing begin!
Alyssa says
Oh yes I bet it would be great on grilled meat - especially ribs! Yum. 🙂
Stephanie @ The Glamorous Gourmet says
My husband is going to go NUTS for this BBQ sauce - of course he'll probably tell me to not cook it too long & lose all the alcohol lol:) You're so lucky to live near all that amazing BBQ - I really look forward to making this sauce - thanks for sharing!
Alyssa says
Hahaha so funny Stephanie! Thank you!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Maple Bourbon BBQ sauce?! I love it! There's a crockpot bbq bean I make that is calling for this sauce! Love it....thanks for sharing!
Alyssa says
Ooh that crock pot BBQ bean recipe sounds absolutely delicious Annie! Thank you! 🙂
Danielle says
There's so many bbq places where I live too, but I do love it. I love that you added some bourbon to this, it looks fantastic!
Alyssa says
Thanks Danielle! I'm certainly making up for lost time with the BBQ nowadays haha Love being able to be creative with sauce flavors at home!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
Lucky! There is basically no BBQ places around where I live! But this sauce might just make up for that! This looks so good!
Alyssa says
Oh man - that's rough Cathleen! I was late to the game with making homemade BBQ sauce but it's such a favorite. Especially over easy breezy slow cooker pulled pork/chicken. 🙂
marcie says
You're so lucky you live in a place with such great BBQ! This sauce sounds amazing with the maple and bourbon -- I definitely need to try this. I'm so craving BBQ right now!
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! Ugh it's a blessing and a curse. It's so easy to satisfy a craving, but it's a little too easy at the same time. I want BBQ all the time! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love BBQ sauce! This one sounds delicious! I bet you're becoming the real bbq sauce expert being in Nashville!
Alyssa says
Thanks Natalie - we love this one! And oh yes, BBQ sauce expert is a title I aspire to!
Annie @Maebells says
This looks SO good! I have never made my own BBq sauce, that needs to change!
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! So many fun flavors to make!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Ooo I love homemade barbecue sauce! This combination sounds incredible! We were always fans of BBQ, but I don't know if my mom ever made her own sauce growing up, and I just started the last couple years -- it's way better!
Alyssa says
Yes I agree Ashley! We always have a jar or two in the fridge. This one disappeared so quickly! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
My motto is the more barbecue, the better! This sauce sounds amazing, Alyssa! I think I would use this on just about everything. Love the maple and bourbon combo!
Alyssa says
Amen, Gayle! Thank you! 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Alyssa, what a fantastic sauce. I love all the flavors and the kick of bourbon. This must taste wonderful. xo, Catherine
Alyssa says
Thank you Catherine! We love this take on BBQ sauce. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O i must try this bourbon version! I love making homemade BBQ sauce <3
Alyssa says
Thanks Rebecca! It's becoming one of my favorite kitchen staples to make at home. So many flavor combos! 🙂