- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 16 (about 2 tablespoons each)
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup finely chopped candied jalapeños (Cowboy Candy)
- 2 tablespoons candied jalapeño syrup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional for extra richness)
Instructions
Step 1
Combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, chopped candied jalapeños, and jalapeño syrup in a medium saucepan.
Step 2
Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper if using.
Step 3
Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 4
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. The sauce will gradually thicken.
Step 6
If you prefer an ultra-smooth sauce, carefully blend it using an immersion blender or standard blender after it cools slightly.
Step 7
Stir in the butter during the final minute of cooking for an extra silky finish, if desired.
Step 8
Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool for about 15 minutes. It will continue thickening as it cools.
Step 9
Transfer the sauce to a clean glass jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using for the best flavor.
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality candied jalapeños for the best sweet-and-spicy flavor.
- Simmer gently rather than boiling to prevent scorching.
- Blend the sauce if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Add more jalapeño syrup for extra sweetness or extra vinegar for more tang.
- Brush the sauce onto grilled meats during the last 5–10 minutes of cooking to prevent the sugars from burning.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.
- The flavor becomes even richer after resting overnight.
Serving Suggestions
This BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, smoked ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, grilled shrimp, meatloaf, baked chicken wings, roasted vegetables, and grilled sausages. It also makes an excellent dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, and sweet potato wedges.
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 55
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Calcium: 12 mg
- Iron: 0.4 mg
- Potassium: 95 mg