Go Back Email Link
+ servings
barbecue sauce in a bail jar.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Looking for an authentic Kentucky Bourbon BBQ sauce for your grilled meats? This Knob Creek Kentucky bourbon bbq sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats, adding to burgers, or just serving as a dipping sauce! Best of all, it's easy to make and takes only a few minutes! Keep reading to learn how to make this fantastic sauce yourself. It's the perfect addition to any summer cookout!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Grilling
Cuisine: American Southern
Servings: 24
Calories: 41kcal
Author: Kelly Bloom
Recipe Card Email

📩Email To Your Inbox

Send this recipe straight to your inbox by entering your email. As a bonus, you'll receive recipe ideas every other week!

Ingredients

  • ½ onion, chopped finely
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 vanilla bean , scraped
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1 cup Knob Creek Maple Bourbon (or any bourbon you like)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom, ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
  • ¼ teaspoon Coleman's mustard powder
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions

  • Chop the onion and garlic up very fine. Place in a saucepan with the water and salt. Cook on medium heat until onion is soft and translucent.
    ½ onion, chopped finely, 1 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Using a sharp knife, slice down the length of the vanilla bean. Spread it open, and using the knife or a spoon tip, scrape out the mealy vanilla caviar. Add the vanilla caviar to the onions. Save the scraped vanilla pod for your sugar canister or dry and grind with your coffee beans.
    1 vanilla bean
  • Add the tomato paste, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon. Bring to a boil stirring constantly, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer 20 minutes to reduce sauce.
    1 tablespoon soy sauce, ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, 6 oz tomato paste, 1 cup Knob Creek Maple Bourbon
  • Stir in the ginger, chili powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and mustard powder and simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the maple syrup.
    1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cardamom, ground, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground, ¼ teaspoon Coleman's mustard powder, ¼ cup maple syrup
  • Let cool, then pour into Ball canning jars. Freeze or hot water process what you will not be using in the next week. See Notes for link for Hot Water Canning Process Method.

Notes

  • Can, or 'put up' your excess barbecue sauce. It stores well using either the hot water bath process canning method, or frozen in small tubs.
  • Prepare this bourbon barbecue sauce a day or two ahead of time so that the flavors mingle and bloom.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg