Apricot BBQ Sauce is a simple homemade sauce that can take your BBQ to the next level! Make this easy recipe for the perfect sweet sauce in no time.
I really enjoy making homemade BBQ sauce, and this apricot sauce is one of the best. It's not only a versatile sauce, but it's a fun and easy way to combine apricot preserves or jam into a flavor enhancer or accompaniment to many different foods.
Each bite of this tangy sauce features apricot sweetness, giving your mouth a roller coaster of flavors. Using this simple recipe is a great way to add a pop of flavor to pork ribs, chicken, and more. We love to serve it with this classic Lipton Meatloaf Recipe.
Speaking of great sauce recipes, be sure to try this Hot Honey BBQ Sauce as well as this Sriracha BBQ Sauce!
Ingredients
- Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter for this.
- Onion - Mince into small pieces.
- Garlic cloves - Minced garlic works best.
- Apricot jam - This adds sweet flavoring to the sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes - Buy them in a can to save time.
- Brown sugar- Great for adding more sweetness.
- Tomato paste - Adds a bit of thickness and also an acidic flavor balance.
- Honey - For sweetness.
- Red wine vinegar - Balances out the sweet and savory. Apple cider vinegar also works.
- Salt - You can add salt to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce - The perfect tangy flavor addition.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make this Apricot BBQ Sauce Recipe
Step One: Saute the minced onion and minced garlic on medium low heat in a large pot. Do this for 4-5 minutes in the butter until soft and translucent.
Step Two: Add the other ingredients and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Step Three: You can use an immersion blender to make the mixture smooth. This is optional.
Step Four: Store in glass jars. Serve as desired!
Top tip
If you're using fresh whole tomatoes, a potato masher is a great way to get crushed tomatoes quickly!
Substitutions
- Seasonings - If you don't want to use minced garlic, you can use garlic powder or even onion powders as options.
- Maple syrup - This can be used instead of honey.
Variations
- Hot sauce - Add a little kick of heat with hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- Liquid smoke - This can be a great addition and an easy way to add a smoky flavor.
- Tomato sauce - If you don't have tomato paste, a bit of this can work.
- Seasoning - Add all kinds of paprika to this apricot BBQ sauce recipe for a fun flavor.
- Fresh apricots - You can use fresh fruit for this easy apricot BBQ sauce if you don't want to use jam.
See these Smoked Peaches for a fun, fruity recipe. You can even use them in this sauce!
Equipment
To make this apricot barbecue sauce, you only need a small sauce pan or pot. If you want to use a food processor or blender, it's optional.
Storage
Once you make this sweet BBQ sauce, let the mixture cool, then store it in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid. Then, store in your fridge until you are ready to use it.
Common Questions
There are lots of ways to use this BBQ sauce! You can pair it with your favorite chicken dish, use it for pulled pork, have it as a dipper for chicken tenders, add it to classic BBQ ribs, use it as a topping for beef or turkey burgers, or even coat chicken wings with it.
You actually can freeze barbecue sauce. It's delicious fresh, and as long as you store it properly, it should stay good for several days without issue. But for longer storage feel free to freeze.
Absolutely. If you have a strawberry jam or blackberry jam, those would be delicious options as well. Any type of fruit jam or preserves can easily be swapped in for a fun, new flavor.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Apricot BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 18 oz apricot jam
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large pot, saute the onions and garlic on medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes in butter until soft and translucent.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Optional: Using an immersion blender, blend all the ingredients until smooth.
Nutrition
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