Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce is a sweet, tangy blend of apples and bourbon, creating a rich, smoky flavour ideal for grilling, dipping, or glazing meats.
I made this Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce after seeing it prepared in a southern cooking show that highlighted homemade BBQ traditions.
I felt inspired to recreate it with my own touch. Now, I’ll show step by step how to make this delicious sauce from scratch, using real ingredients and careful preparation.
Why You’ll Love?
Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce combines the natural sweetness of apples with the rich, warming flavour of bourbon and a touch of smoky spice.
The brown sugar adds a deep caramelized note, while chipotle powder brings subtle heat, creating a perfectly balanced sauce.
Its thick, smooth texture enhances grilled meats, roasted veggies, and sandwiches alike. This sauce keeps well, maintaining its bold flavour, making it a tasty and reliable choice for adding extra depth to your meals.
How To Prepare Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Sauce / Condiment
Cuisine: American, Southern-Inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Yield: Makes about 3 cups
Kitchen Utensils
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Box grater (for apple)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Jar or airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Crown Apple Whiskey
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as avocado or grapeseed)
- 1 small red onion, finely diced (approx. ¾ cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (adds a smoky kick)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
How To Make Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce?
1. Cook The Onion And Garlic
Heat a bit of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, toss in the chopped red onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring now and then, until it turns soft and see-through. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until it smells fragrant.
2. Add The Apple
Mix in the grated apple and let it cook for another 3–4 minutes, until it softens and starts to break down a little.
3. Deglaze The Pan
Pour in the bourbon and Crown Apple. Stir everything around, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for a couple of minutes so the alcohol cooks off a bit.
4. Make The Sauce Base
Now add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, apple butter, ketchup, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if you want some heat), chipotle powder, and water. Stir everything together until it’s all mixed well.
5. Simmer The Sauce
Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Lower the heat and let it cook gently without a lid for about 20–25 minutes. Stir it every now and then until it thickens and the flavour come together.
6. Add A Splash Of Lemon
Stir in some lemon juice at the end. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed add more salt, sweetness, or spice to your liking.
7. Blend If You Want It Smooth
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it right in the pot with an immersion blender. Or let it cool a bit and blend it in a regular blender.
8. Cool And Store
Once the sauce cools down to room temperature, pour it into a clean jar or container with a lid. Store it in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it if you want to keep it longer.
Note
I always remind myself this sauce gets even better with time. I make extra and refrigerate; by day two, it tastes more balanced and rich, ready to elevate any dish.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 85 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Protein | 0.5g |
Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
The main speciality of this Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce lies in its rich blend of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavours with a bold bourbon kick.
Fresh grated apple and apple butter provide natural sweetness and depth, while the Crown Apple whiskey adds a unique fruity twist.
A hint of chipotle powder and red pepper flakes brings subtle heat, perfectly balanced by the acidity of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
This Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce is ideal for elevating grilled meats, especially pork, chicken, or ribs, with a gourmet homemade touch.
Amazing Serving Ideas
1. Brush Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce over grilled ribs for a rich, flavorful glaze.
2. Use it as a dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders or nuggets.
3. Drizzle the sauce on roasted vegetables to add a sweet and smoky twist.
4. Mix it into pulled pork sandwiches for an extra burst of flavor.
5. Spread the sauce on burgers or sliders to elevate every bite.
Expert Tips
● Use fresh, crisp apples for the best natural sweetness and texture in the sauce.
● Cook the sauce slowly on low heat to allow the flavors to meld and develop fully.
● Adjust the bourbon amount carefully to keep the flavor balanced without overpowering the sauce.
● Add chipotle powder gradually to control the smoky heat and suit your taste.
How To Make More Delicious Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce?
Enhancing the flavor of Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce involves using fresh, high-quality ingredients like ripe apples and good-quality bourbon.
Slow simmering allows the sauce to thicken and deepen in taste. Balancing sweetness and acidity is key, so adjusting brown sugar and vinegar amounts can elevate the flavour.
Toasting the spices before adding them brings out their aroma. For a smoother texture, blending the sauce helps. Letting it rest for a day allows the flavours to meld beautifully, intensifying its richness.
Storage & Make Ahead
Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce keeps well when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Cooling the sauce completely before sealing helps maintain its flavour and texture.
For longer storage, freezing in portion sized containers works great and preserves the taste for several months. Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the fridge and stir before using.
Preparing the sauce ahead saves time and allows the flavours to deepen, enhancing the overall richness when served.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Make This Sauce Spicy?
Adding more chipotle powder or red pepper flakes increases heat.
Can I Use Other Types Of Whiskey Instead Of Bourbon?
Yes, but bourbon adds a unique sweetness and depth.
Does The Sauce Need To Be Cooked?
Simmering helps blend flavours and thicken the sauce.
Can This Sauce Be Made Vegan?
Use a bourbon that is vegan-friendly and check all ingredients for animal products.
Conclusion
This Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce turned out to be an easy and truly delicious recipe that I enjoyed making from start to finish. I hope you feel inspired to try it too it’s simple, full of flavour, and worth every step.
Go ahead and make your own batch soon, and don’t forget to tell me how much you enjoyed it after tasting. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did!
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Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Box grater (for apple)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Jar or airtight container (for storage)
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple peeled, cored, and grated
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Crown Apple Whiskey
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as avocado or grapeseed
- 1 small red onion finely diced (approx. ¾ cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder adds a smoky kick
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Cook The Onion And Garlic
- Heat a bit of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, toss in the chopped red onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring now and then, until it turns soft and see-through. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until it smells fragrant.
Add The Apple
- Mix in the grated apple and let it cook for another 3–4 minutes, until it softens and starts to break down a little.
Deglaze The Pan
- Pour in the bourbon and Crown Apple. Stir everything around, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for a couple of minutes so the alcohol cooks off a bit.
Make The Sauce Base
- Now add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, apple butter, ketchup, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if you want some heat), chipotle powder, and water. Stir everything together until it’s all mixed well.
Simmer The Sauce
- Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Lower the heat and let it cook gently without a lid for about 20–25 minutes. Stir it every now and then until it thickens and the flavour come together.
Add A Splash Of Lemon
- Stir in some lemon juice at the end. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed add more salt, sweetness, or spice to your liking.
Blend If You Want It Smooth
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it right in the pot with an immersion blender. Or let it cool a bit and blend it in a regular blender.
Cool And Store
- Once the sauce cools down to room temperature, pour it into a clean jar or container with a lid. Store it in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it if you want to keep it longer.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 85 | Total Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 180mg | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sugars: 14g | Protein: 0.5g“Hi, I’m Samia, a passionate recipe creator with 5 years of experience in crafting delicious, unique dishes. My love for cooking has led me to explore a variety of cuisines, combining flavors to create memorable meals for every occasion. Whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or an elaborate feast, I believe in making every dish special. Join me on my culinary journey as I share easy-to-follow recipes and tips that will inspire your cooking and bring joy to your kitchen!”