This Blueberry BBQ Sauce is a smoky, tangy, slightly sweet homemade sauce made with blueberries, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and warming spices. Ready in under 30 minutes effortlessly.
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A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Time & Yield: 30 mins & makes about 2 cups
- Taste & Texture: Smoky, tangy, sweet, and spicy with a smooth, glossy finish.
- Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan-friendly, & Gluten-Free.
- Heat Level: 🌶Low(Adjustable to medium to hot)
Why You'll Love This Blueberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
⭐️Naturally thickens into a rich glaze
⭐️With perfectly balanced heat & sweet
⭐️Weeknight-friendly & endlessly versatile.
Inspired by both homemade barbecue sauce and traditional blueberry sauce, I wanted to create something a little bolder, and I find that the combination of blueberries and spices really works together.
This blueberry BBQ sauce was one of the first recipes I experimented with fruit and heat, and it turned out super delicious, giving me the confidence to develop more unique, fruit-based BBQ sauces like this pineapple BBQ sauce.
Simply dump all the ingredients into the pan, cook, and enjoy this fruity BBQ sauce that's better than store-bought.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Blueberries: Both fresh and frozen berries work perfectly for this recipe. Frozen is perfect for weeknights.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and acidity, giving this sauce a body.
- Apple cider vinegar bridges the unique flavors of the tomato ketchup and blueberries. You can swap it with white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses. Light brown sugar works perfectly for this recipe.
- Honey: Adds richness and a shine. You can swap it with maple syrup for the vegan version.
- Worcestershire sauce: This sauce has a savory, umami flavor. You can substitute this with soy sauce for the vegan version.
- Spices & Heat: I used a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This creates a complex flavor that works beautifully in this recipe.
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How To Make Blueberry BBQ Sauce
- Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then simmer 20 minutes until thick and glossy.
- Step 2. Remove from heat, blend until smooth, then use as a barbecue glaze or dipping sauce.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This blueberry BBQ sauce has a low heat level, thanks to black pepper, hot sauce, and cayenne.
- Mild: Use the recipe as it is.
- Medium: Add cayenne and crushed red pepper flakes for a rich heat.
- Hot: Go heavier on cayenne, crushed red pepper flakes, or stir in your favorite hot sauce.
How To Use?
- Glaze: Brush onto grilled salmon, pan-seared or air-fried chicken thighs for a sweet, tangy finish.
- Sauce: Toss with roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts.
- Marinate & Dip: Perfect for marinating pork chops or as a savory dipping sauce for meatballs.
Pro Tips For Best Results
- Whisk in a teaspoon of butter or corn syrup at the very end of the process for a silky, restaurant-style shine and finish.
- I used a hand blender for the smooth texture. If you prefer a chunky, rustic-style sauce, simply skip the blending step and leave the berries whole.
Troubleshooting
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of water or a little more vinegar.
- If you feel the sauce is too tangy, add a bit more brown sugar or honey to balance the flavor.
- If the blueberries are not bursting, cook the sauce on low heat for about 20 minutes, until the blueberries break down.
FAQ: Blueberry BBQ Sauce
This sauce will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to six months.
In this blueberry BBQ sauce recipe, smoked paprika adds depth, while black pepper sharpens the sweetness.
No! The blueberries are naturally high in pectin. Hence, as the sauce simmers, the pectin reacts with the sugar and vinegar, creating a natural, jam-like thickness.
Yes, ensure your apple cider vinegar(used in this recipe) has 5% acidity to safely preserve the sauce. Follow USDA guidelines and process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
📖 Recipe
Blueberry Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Simmer the base:
- In a medium saucepan, toss in all the ingredients together like, blueberries, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and salt.
- Stir it together and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Cook it down:
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring now and then.
- As the blueberries cook, they'll burst and the sauce will thicken to a glossy consistency.
Blend it smooth:
- Take it off the heat. Use an immersion blender (or pour into a regular blender once it's cooled a bit) and blend until smooth.
Serve:
- Enjoy as a glaze over ribs, grilled chicken, or use as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ingredient Swaps: Fresh or frozen blueberries both work. Use maple syrup instead of honey and soy sauce instead of Worcestershire to keep it vegan.
- Heat Level: This sauce is mild. Add cayenne, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to make it hotter.
- Texture: The sauce thickens naturally as it cooks. Blend for a smooth sauce or leave it chunky.
- Storage & Reheating: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat gently and stir well.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add water or vinegar. If it's too tangy, add a little more sugar or honey.
Nutrition
Additional Info
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