The best blueberry BBQ sauce recipe (2024)

This bourbon blueberry BBQ sauce will soon be your go-to recipe. The sweetness of the blueberries, the smokiness of the bourbon and the heat from the peppers come together to make this barbecue sauce out of this world. Bourbon BBQ sauce with the sweetness of blueberries pairs well with any kind of pork, especially ribs. It also goes really well with chicken thighs.

I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.

You may also be interested in my apple bourbon BBQ sauce recipeand mypineapple mango BBQ saucerecipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my BBQ sauce recipes in one place.

Blueberries and bourbon, like my blueberry bourbon jam recipe, are a match made in heaven.

Why you should make this recipe

• Quick & Easy – Ready from start to finish in about 45 minutes.
• Versatile – Any kind of pork is a perfect match, but I’ve also paired chicken thighs with it and it is delicious.
• Make ahead – You can make this homemade blueberry BBQ sauce a day or two ahead of time.

Blueberry BBQ sauce recipe

Making blueberry barbeque sauce from scratch is not at all difficult. The most difficult part of the entire operation is waiting for it to cook down so it can be blended and consumed.

This easy homemade BBQ sauce, just like my bourbon BBQ sauce, is unlike anything you’ll find in the aisles of the grocery store. For that reason, I like to give this to friends and neighbors as a hostess gift. Homemade gifts are always special and this sauce definitely qualifies.

Ingredients

This blueberry bourbon barbecue sauce uses common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

• Blueberries – I used fresh blueberries, but you can use frozen if they are out of season.
• Ketchup – Gives it the familiar BBQ sauce taste.
• Brown sugar – A little sweetness balances the flavors.
• Apple cider vinegar – Acidity helps to give it a little tang.
• Bourbon – The alcohol will mostly cook off, leaving a smoky sweetness behind.
• Onion and garlic – These aromatics give the blueberry BBQ sauce great flavor.
• Jalapeño pepper – I used a whole pepper, but you can adjust to your preferences.
• Salt and pepper – Everything needs to be seasoned, so these ingredients are a freebie.
• Crushed red pepper – A little extra spice, it is optional if you prefer less heat.
• Neutral oil – I use grapeseed, but canola is also a good option.
• Bay leaf – Adds a subtle flavor in the background, it won’t be overwhelming.

How to make blueberry BBQ sauce

This recipe is incredibly easy. It’s the wait that is not.

First, heat a bit of canola or grapeseed oil in a medium pot, then add the onions and garlic. Let them sweat a few minutes until fragrant and starting to turn translucent.

Next, add in the remainder of the ingredients and let the BBQ sauce cook down for roughly 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, it should start looking thick and syrupy.

Remove the bay leaves and using an immersion blender (or regular blender), carefully blend until smooth.

I have a couple of friends who are not experienced cooks, by their own admission, and they’ve made this blueberry BBQ sauce at least 4 times.

It is something different than the usual store-bought sauce and it barely requires more than an occasional stir. If you are a beginner cook or you just want something delicious and unique that will not take the entire afternoon, this is the recipe for you.

I love this homemade blueberry barbecue sauce for ribs, but I’ve also put it on chicken thighs and a pork tenderloin and it was delicious.

Fattier meats tend to pair well with it, but a chicken breast or even chicken wings would be a fantastic pairing for this sauce.

Blueberry BBQ sauce FAQ’s

Variations and substitutions

• If you prefer less heat, omit the jalapeño pepper, or use half instead of a whole pepper.
• Need an alcohol-free version? Substitute bourbon with apple juice.

For a berry-flavored variation, swap half of the blueberries with blackberries, strawberries or raspberries.

You can also swap out ketchup for canned tomatoes, but you’ll need to adjust the vinegar and sugar to your tastes, because ketchup is already seasoned and tinned tomatoes are not.

How to safely blend hot liquids

Working in restaurant kitchens for many years, I have plenty of experience with this. When steam is created from hot foods, it creates pressure. That pressure can build inside the blender, causing the lid to pop off and hot liquid to spill.

When blending hot liquids in a blender, do not fill the blender all the way up. The liquid needs room to expand.

The other helpful tip is to remove the clear blender cap in the middle of the lid, then place a clean, folded, thick kitchen towel over the hole before blending (I recommend using a dark towel for this in case it gets stained and folding a few times so you have several layers protecting your hand).

The towel covers the hole, but it allows the steam to escape, so you don’t get splashed and burned. Place your hand on top of the towel to hold in place, then turn the blender on low to get it started. When the blueberry bourbon BBQ sauce has started moving, increase the speed. Decrease the speed when the sauce is blended to your liking before shutting off to avoid splashes.

Serving suggestions

Here are a few options that will pair well with grilled meat and this sauce. This would make an easy and tasty summer menu!

• Grilled steak – Swap out the gremolata sauce for this one.
• Grilled lamb loin chops – Try this sauce on lamb too!
• Cajun grilled potato wedges – A quick and easy side dish.
• Strawberry Arnold Palmers – The most delicious blend of strawberries, tea and lemonade.
• Blueberry lemonade – Made from blueberries, sugar, lemons and water.

Helpful tools and equipment

• Vitamix blender – This is the same one I own. It isn’t inexpensive, but it’s worth every penny. It is the blender I used to make this sauce.
• Dutch Oven – A heavy-bottomed pot works perfectly for so many things, including making BBQ sauce.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting.

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it onFacebookorpinit to your favorite recipe board.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send youweekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello!All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe (other than for personal use) without prior written permission.Thank you!

Originally published 6/12/17.