Smoky Apple Barbecue Sauce
Elevate your barbecue game with this Smoky Apple Barbecue Sauce, a bold, flavor-packed condiment that combines the sweetness of grated apples and honey with the tang of apple cider vinegar and the richness of dark brown sugar. Infused with smoky paprika, a hint of cumin, and a touch of cayenne pepper for subtle heat, this homemade sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Finished with a dash of optional liquid smoke and blended to your desired consistency, it’s a versatile addition to grilled meats, burgers, or roasted vegetables. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy barbecue sauce is a must-have for summer cookouts or cozy weeknight dinners. Enjoy this small-batch recipe fresh, or store it for up to a week in the refrigerator to level up your meals all week long!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium apple, peeled and grated (use a sweet variety like Fuji or Gala)
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 0.25 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the grated apple and cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add the ketchup, dark brown sugar, honey, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
If you desire a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth, or carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. If using liquid smoke, stir it in at this point for extra smoky flavor.
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to a jar or airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze in portions for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
77 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.0 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 5 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 265 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 15.1 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.3 g | ||
| Protein | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 12 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 63 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
