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Crafting the Perfect Homemade Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: Smoky, Tangy, and Unforgettable

Welcome back to the Striped Spatula kitchen! After a brief but necessary hiatus, we’re thrilled to return with a recipe that perfectly encapsulates the flavors of summer grilling and signals our renewed enthusiasm: an exquisitely balanced Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a beautifully glossy, deeply smoky, and wonderfully tangy concoction that promises to elevate any dish it touches. While we might be slowly transitioning away from the height of summer, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the last weeks of grilling season before the autumn whispers of pumpkin spice take over. Trust us, once you make this homemade sauce, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Our journey back to the blog starts with a bang, and what could be more fitting for a triumphant return than a recipe featuring bacon? This particular barbecue sauce is a game-changer, moving beyond the ordinary to deliver a gourmet experience right in your backyard. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare, yet boasts a complexity of flavor that will impress even the most discerning palates. So, let’s dive into the world of homemade barbecue sauce and discover the magic of combining savory bacon with the subtle warmth of bourbon.

Why Homemade BBQ Sauce? A Culinary Awakening and Economical Choice

For many years, barbecue sauce was a staple I always bought pre-made. It felt like one of those things that were just easier to grab off the shelf – a convenient supporting player in my cooking repertoire. My perspective dramatically shifted a few years ago when I received a thoughtful gift: a small, specialty bottle of Bacon-Black Pepper-Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. The moment I tasted it, I was hooked. Its flavor was utterly incredible, and I found myself putting it on everything imaginable until the bottle was completely empty.

That’s when the true revelation occurred. Curious about its origin and ingredients, I checked the label. To my astonishment, the small 8-ounce bottle of pure deliciousness came with a staggering $22 price tag. While I wholeheartedly appreciate gourmet items and can easily lose myself in the aisles of a specialty food market, that price point was a significant eye-opener. It begged the question: could I create a sauce of similar quality and depth at home without breaking the bank? The answer, unequivocally, was yes.

The journey to homemade barbecue sauce proved to be far more rewarding and economical than I ever anticipated. Not only is it significantly cheaper to make a batch that yields more than double the volume of that expensive store-bought bottle, but it also provides complete control over the ingredients. You can avoid unnecessary additives, high-fructose corn syrup, and other “tongue-twister” ingredients often found in commercial brands. This means a fresher, healthier, and ultimately more satisfying sauce tailored precisely to your preferences. Once you taste the difference, you’ll likely never go back to mass-produced varieties.

The Simplicity of One-Pot Perfection: Effortless Flavor in Under an Hour

Don’t let the thought of making barbecue sauce from scratch intimidate you. While the ingredient list might seem extensive, aiming to achieve that coveted depth of flavor we all crave in a good sauce, the process itself is remarkably straightforward. In fact, it’s largely a one-pot affair, requiring minimal active cooking time and maximum flavor development. This recipe is designed for ease, proving that gourmet results don’t require complex techniques or specialized equipment.

The beauty of this Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce lies in its gentle simmering. After a quick sauté of the foundational aromatics, all the ingredients come together in a single heavy-bottomed saucepan. There, they’ll simmer uncovered for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. During this crucial period, the sauce slowly thickens, reducing to a glossy, rich consistency that beautifully coats the back of a spoon. More importantly, this simmering time allows all the diverse flavors – from the smoky bacon and sweet molasses to the tangy vinegar and warm bourbon – to meld and harmonize, creating a truly exceptional sauce. Stirring occasionally is all it takes, with a little more attention towards the end to prevent scorching as it thickens.

Moreover, the homemade approach allows for effortless customization. Craving a little more heat? Adjust the chili powder to your liking. Prefer a sweeter profile? A touch more brown sugar can be added. The ability to taste and tweak as you go ensures that every batch is perfectly suited to your taste buds, providing a culinary experience that no store-bought option can match.

Flavor Harmony: The Symphony of Bacon, Bourbon, and Beyond

The true genius of this Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce lies in its expertly crafted flavor profile. Each component is carefully selected to contribute to a balanced and deeply satisfying taste experience:

Applewood Smoked Bacon: The Smoky Foundation: We start by rendering diced Applewood Smoked Bacon until it’s wonderfully crisp. This step serves two critical purposes: first, it provides delightful, crunchy bacon bits that add texture to the finished sauce (though you can strain them out for a smoother consistency if preferred). Second, and perhaps more importantly, the rendered bacon fat becomes the flavorful base for sautéing the onions and garlic, infusing the entire sauce with an authentic, rich smokiness without needing any artificial smoke flavorings.
Aromatic Depth: Onions and Garlic: Finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic are cooked in the bacon fat until soft and fragrant. These foundational aromatics build a crucial layer of savory depth, complementing the smoky bacon and providing a robust backbone for the vibrant flavors to come.
Tangy & Tomato Base: A combination of rich tomato sauce, classic ketchup, sharp Dijon mustard, and bright apple cider vinegar forms the quintessential tangy core of any great barbecue sauce. The vinegar cuts through the richness, while the Dijon adds a sophisticated pungency and helps emulsify the sauce to a smooth, glossy finish.
Deep, Rounded Sweetness: Dark Brown Sugar and Molasses: For sweetness, we turn to firmly-packed dark brown sugar, which imparts a wonderful caramel-like flavor, and molasses. It’s important to use regular molasses (not the stronger, more bitter blackstrap variety) for its deep, earthy, and slightly malty notes that perfectly round out the sweetness and contribute to the sauce’s appealing dark hue. This duo ensures a complex sweetness, not just a sugary one.
The Bourbon Whisper: Warmth and Complexity: Three tablespoons of your favorite bourbon are added to the mix. While the alcohol largely cooks off during the simmering process, it leaves behind its distinctive warm, slightly sweet, and oaky notes. Bourbon adds an unparalleled layer of sophistication and depth, intertwining beautifully with the smoky bacon and sweet molasses to create that signature “bourbon” character without being overtly alcoholic.
Spicy Undertones and Umami Boost: Worcestershire sauce introduces a vital umami element, adding a savory depth that ties all the flavors together. Mustard powder provides an earthy, pungent kick, and freshly-ground black pepper offers a subtle warmth. For those who crave more heat, a customizable amount of chili powder can be added to dial up the spice to your preferred level. Even for someone like me, who prefers milder spice, the black pepper alone often provides just the right amount of kick!

A Versatile Culinary Companion: Beyond the Grill

This Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce is far more than just a grilling accompaniment; it’s a versatile culinary workhorse ready to transform a multitude of dishes. Its robust, smoky-sweet, and tangy profile makes it an ideal partner for almost anything you can imagine:

Grilled Chicken: Slather it generously over chicken breasts, thighs, or a whole roasted chicken. The sauce caramelizes beautifully, creating a delectable, sticky glaze that’s incredibly flavorful.
Burgers and Sliders: Forget your standard condiments! A dollop of this homemade BBQ sauce on your next burger or slider will elevate it to gourmet status, adding a layer of smoky, sweet, and tangy goodness.
Ribs (Pork or Beef): This sauce is a match made in heaven for slow-cooked or grilled ribs. Brush it on during the final stages of cooking for a deeply flavored, fall-off-the-bone experience that’s truly unforgettable.
Grilled Salmon or Shrimp: Don’t limit yourself to red meats! The smoky sweetness of this sauce pairs surprisingly well with the richness of grilled salmon or the delicate flavor of shrimp, creating an unexpected but delicious fusion of flavors.
Pulled Pork or Chicken Sandwiches: Shredded slow-cooked pork shoulder or chicken breasts absorb this sauce beautifully, resulting in incredibly moist, flavorful, and tender sandwich fillings that are perfect for a crowd.
Roasted Vegetables: Toss root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or even Brussels sprouts in a bit of this sauce before roasting for a caramelized, savory-sweet side dish.
Homemade Pizza Base: For a unique and flavorful pizza, spread a thin layer of this barbecue sauce instead of traditional tomato sauce, then top with chicken, red onion, and cheese.
Our Favorite: Grilled Meatball Subs: For an absolute showstopper, keep an eye out for our upcoming recipe for Grilled Meatball Subs. This sauce takes juicy meatballs to an entirely new level, creating a sandwich experience that is truly one-of-a-kind and a personal favorite!

Beyond these suggestions, consider it a fantastic dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, or chicken tenders. Its rich texture and complex flavor profile make it an indispensable condiment to have on hand.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Convenience

One of the fantastic advantages of making your own Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce is its excellent shelf life and freezer-friendliness, making it perfect for meal prepping or having a delicious condiment ready at a moment’s notice:

Refrigeration: Once cooled completely, transfer the sauce to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to one week. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after a day or two, making it even more delicious.
Freezing: For longer storage, this sauce is an ideal candidate for freezing. Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers, jars (leaving headspace for expansion), or even ice cube trays for smaller portions. It can be stored in the freezer for up to one month without significant loss of quality. Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently.
Gifting: This homemade barbecue sauce makes a wonderful edible gift! Pour it into decorative jars, add a custom label, and present it to the grill masters and food enthusiasts in your life. It’s a thoughtful present that truly showcases your culinary skills.

Having a batch of this flavorful sauce prepared and ready transforms simple meals into extraordinary culinary experiences, proving that a little effort in the kitchen can yield tremendous rewards.

Troubleshooting Your Homemade BBQ Sauce

While this recipe is straightforward, here are a few tips for common adjustments:

Sauce Too Thin? If your sauce hasn’t thickened to your desired consistency after simmering, simply continue to cook it over low heat, stirring more frequently, until it reduces further. Ensure your saucepan is wide enough to allow for good evaporation.
Sauce Too Thick? If the sauce becomes too thick for your liking (especially after refrigeration), you can easily loosen it. Stir in a tablespoon or two of water, chicken broth, or even a splash more bourbon until it reaches your desired consistency.
Adjusting Sweetness or Tang: Taste your sauce as it simmers. If it’s too sweet, a splash more apple cider vinegar can balance it out. If it’s too tangy, a teaspoon more brown sugar can mellow it. Remember to add small amounts, stir, and taste before adding more.
Spice Level: The recipe suggests ½ to 2 teaspoons of chili powder. Start with ½ teaspoon if you prefer a milder sauce, and add more gradually to reach your desired level of heat.

Striped Spatula: Official and Growing Strong!

Before we dive into the recipe details, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news for my little company. You might have noticed a subtle yet significant update to the Striped Spatula logo at the top of the page: it now proudly features a registered trademark sign! As of July, both the Striped Spatula® word mark (our blogging brand name) and our distinctive stylized logo have become federally-registered trademarks of Striped Spatula, LLC. This eight-month process was a significant undertaking, marking a thrilling and crucial step forward in my journey as a food writer and business owner.

Taking this next step fills me with immense excitement for the future of bringing you delicious, inspiring recipes and culinary insights. As always, I extend my deepest gratitude to you, my dear readers, for joining me on this incredibly fun and rewarding journey. Your continued support, engagement, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind Striped Spatula, and I am genuinely excited to continue growing this site and sharing many more delicious adventures with you.

Print Recipe

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Based on 3 votes)

Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

by
Amanda Biddle

Homemade BBQ Sauce with bacon and bourbon is a cinch to make! If you prefer your sauce on the milder/sweeter side, omit the chili powder, or use only 1/2 teaspoon. For a sauce with a kick, add additional chili powder to taste.

Makes 2 cups sauce.

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
45 minutes

Total Time:
55 minutes

Servings:
16 servings (2 tablespoons)

Ingredients

4 ounces Applewood Smoked bacon, cut into a small dice
½ medium yellow onion (about 1 cup), chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
½ cup tomato sauce
½ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons molasses (not Blackstrap)
3 tablespoons bourbon
½ cup firmly-packed dark brown sugar
½ to 2 teaspoons chili powder (optional), to taste
1 teaspoon mustard powder
½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan. Add chopped onions to the bacon fat, reduce heat to medium, and cook until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. As the onions release their moisture, scrape up any bacon drippings from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined. Add the reserved crisp bacon. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. (Remember to stir more frequently towards the end as the sauce thickens to prevent it from scorching). Season to taste with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Step 3: Store the cooled sauce, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Notes

Texture Preference: We love the delightful texture of tiny bacon bits in our barbecue sauce. However, if you prefer a perfectly smooth consistency, simply strain the sauce through a mesh sieve before serving, discarding the solids. Alternatively, you can puree the sauce (with or without the bacon) after cooking using an immersion blender or a regular blender. Be aware that pureeing will result in a thicker texture, which might need to be loosened with a splash of water or broth, depending on its intended use.

Nutrition Estimate

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

About Our Recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.

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