Name: Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup bourbon; 2 garlic cloves (crushed); 2 tbsp onion (minced); 1/2 cup ketchup; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 tsp liquid smoke; 1/2 tsp dijon mustard; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp hot sauce (optional); salt and pepper (to taste)

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This bourbon BBQ sauce is sweet and smoky with a subtle taste of whiskey. It’s the perfect companion for chicken, ribs, pulled pork and more! I love that making the sauce is quick and easy. It comes together in under 15 minutes and tastes way better than any BBQ sauce you’ll buy at the store!

How to make bourbon bbq sauce?

Making this bourbon BBQ sauce is as easy as throwing all the ingredients in a pot and bringing to a slow boil. The amount of time it takes the sauce to thicken will depend on the amount of liquid you add. I like making a small amount of sauce every time but if you choose to make a large amount, it will take a bit longer to cook. You can also add more or less bourbon, it’s all about personal preference here!

What to eat with bourbon bbq sauce?

I recently had the bourbon BBQ chicken sandwich from Chicken Guy in Atlantic City, NJ and it was so good I wanted to recreate it at home. My version is pretty spot on, I just made grilled chicken instead of fried chicken. Then I added mac sauce and BBQ sauce to my toasted brioche bun and topped my grilled chicken with pepper jack cheese, a dill pickle slice and cole slaw. Crumbled BBQ potato chips on top are optional but add yumminess to the sandwich. With a side of crispy onion rings, this is heaven on a plate!

Bourbon bbq chicken sandwich ingredients

This bourbon BBQ sauce is also great on baked chicken, ribs, pulled pork and more! Serve a large bowl of this sauce at your next BBQ for your guests to enjoy!

Does bourbon bbq sauce have alcohol in it?

Technically, yes because we add bourbon whiskey to the sauce. However, most of the alcohol evaporates while being cooked. When foods are cooked under high heat, the majority of the alcohol evaporates out. In fact, pure alcohol boils at 173 F, which is a lower temperature than what it takes to boil water. So I wouldn’t worry about alcohol content in the sauce. If serving sauce to children, just cook down the sauce a bit longer or omit the bourbon altogether.

What kind of bourbon is best for bbq sauce?

When it comes to drinking bourbon, my husband is the real connoisseur. He loves Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace and Knob Creek. However, for this recipe you should choose an inexpensive brand of bourbon, since you’ll be cooking off the alcohol anyway. Jim Beam is a good choice. Don’t waste your good bourbon, save that for happy hour (aka after the kids go to bed)!

Can I substitute whiskey for bourbon?

Yes! Whiskey works very well in this recipe. Since bourbon is a type of whiskey, the flavor profile will be similar.

How long does homemade bbq sauce last?

Homemade BBQ sauce will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. If freezing, I recommend using an ice cube tray to store as individual servings. That way you won’t have to use the frozen portion all at once and have to discard the remainder.

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