Description
This homemade BBQ sauce is sweet, smoky, tangy, and packed with rich flavor from bacon, garlic, onion, honey, molasses, and apricot preserves. Perfect for ribs, chicken, pulled pork, burgers, and dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, halved
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, cook the bacon with the olive oil over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve for another use. Leave the bacon fat in the pot.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the ketchup, apricot preserves, molasses, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
- Add the thyme sprigs, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the onion, garlic, and thyme sprigs.
- For a smooth sauce, blend using an immersion blender until silky.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a smokier flavor, add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Add extra honey for a sweeter BBQ sauce.
- Increase red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Blend completely smooth for a restaurant-style sauce.
- Keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 HOUR
- Category: CONDIMENT
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: AMERICAN | BBQ | SUMMER