There are a lot of good store bought barbecue sauces out there, but I usually prefer to make my own. Here is the recipe I make most often. It is sweet with just the right amount of heat and it has the wonderful flavor of bourbon. This recipe makes a lot, but it can easily be halved and it will keep for about a month in the fridge.
Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
2 tbs canola oil
1 medium onion, diced
8 garlic cloves, chopped
1 & 1/2 cups bourbon
4 cups ketchup
1 cup dark brown sugar
6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup liquid smoke
1 tbs hot sauce
1 tbs salt
1 tsp black pepper
In a pot over a medium heat add the canola oil. Then add the onion and garlic and saute for a couple minutes, just until the onions are translucent.
Then add the bourbon. Bring to simmer and let the bourbon reduce by half. This will take about 10 minutes.
This is what it should look like after the bourbon is reduced. *If you don't reduce the bourbon, your sauce will be inedible. You will have wasted your time and ingredients. Don't skip this step!*
Then add the ketchup, dark brown sugar, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 20 minutes. The sauce if fine like this, but I prefer a smooth sauce so I put it in the blender. This recipe make 2 quarts.
If you have any bourbon left over be sure to make a blackberry bourbon sour.
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