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awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

(1 rating)
Andy59 avatar
Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
@Andy59
Wichita, KS

On New Year’s Eve I always serve my smoked pork ribs, slathered in my homemade BBQ sauce. This is a kickin’ sauce that really delivers a lot of flavor, and can stand up to the rigors of a slow cooker without breaking down. I have clients that will never use any other BBQ sauce, and so I usually make this sauce by the gallon. I’ve tried several variations on this sauce; even using Chinese vinegar to kick up the tartness level. But this basic recipe is lip smacking good stuff. So, you ready… let’s get into the kitchen.

►
(1 rating)
yield serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

  • DRY SPICES
  • 1 Tbsp
    dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp
    smoked paprika
  • 2 Tbsp
    chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    ground yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried sage
  • 1/2 tsp
    cayenne powder (totally optional)
  • 1 tsp
    salt, kosher variety
  • THE SAUCE
  • 8 oz
    smoked bacon, rough chopped
  • 1 md
    yellow onion, rough chopped
  • 4 clove
    garlic, rough chopped
  • 1 lg
    shot of good bourbon
  • 1/2 c
    coffee, brewed
  • 1/2 c
    espresso, brewed
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh honey
  • 1 c
    ketchup, homemade, if possible
  • 1 Tbsp
    soy or tamari sauce

How To Make awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

  • 1
    Gather your dry ingredients.
  • 2
    Gather your sauce ingredients.
  • 3
    Rough chop the bacon, onion, & the garlic.
  • 4
    Chef's Note: What's a rough chop. A rough chop is when the veggies need to be cut up but they are not a part of the presentation of the dish.
  • 5
    Chef’s Note: Take a nice big swig of the bourbon… just to make sure it’s fresh.
  • 6
    Place a skillet over medium heat, and then add the bacon.
  • 7
    Cook, stirring regularly, until the bacon begins to brown, but not burn, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • 8
    Add the onion and garlic to the skillet.
  • 9
    Continue to cook and stir, until the onions have softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • 10
    Add all of the dry ingredients.
  • 11
    Chef’s Note: The cayenne sends this sauce into the hot category. You can cut that down to a small pinch, or leave it out altogether. When I leave it out, I usually add a bit of cumin as a substitute.
  • 12
    Stir until they are combined into the bacon/onion mixture.
  • 13
    Chef’s Note: Take another swig of the bourbon… just to make sure it’s still fresh.
  • 14
    Deglaze the pan with a generous splash of bourbon (a nice large shot).
  • 15
    Immediately take the pan off heat.
  • 16
    Add the contents of the pan to a blender or stand mixer.
  • 17
    Add the coffee, espresso, ketchup, honey, and soy sauce.
  • 18
    Chef’s Note: When I talk about using ketchup in this recipe, I would really hope you choose a homemade variety. Otherwise you are making a condiment out of a condiment. Besides, store-bought ketchup has things in it, other than ketchup. Go homemade… if you can. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/versatile-homemade-ketchup.html?r=1
  • 19
    Blend until completely smooth.
  • 20
    Store in a glass airtight container, and refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy.
  • 21
    Keep the faith, and keep drinking… err cooking.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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