Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe
The Chipotle BBQ Sauce recipe blends smoky chipotle peppers with traditional BBQ flavors for a bold, spicy sauce. It combines ingredients like brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup with the heat of chipotle peppers, offering a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky. Ideal for grilling, it enhances meats like chicken and ribs.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Knife (for mincing chipotle peppers)
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2-3 tablespoons finely minced chipotle in adobo
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Add Chipotle & Adobo Sauce:
- Add the finely minced chipotle peppers (2-3 tablespoons) and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers. Mix thoroughly.
Season the Sauce:
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper.
Salt to Taste:
- Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Adjust seasoning if necessary based on your taste preferences.
Simmer the Sauce:
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.
Final Adjustments & Serve:
- Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add more honey for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or more chipotle for heat). Let the sauce cool before serving.
Notes
❖ Adjust the Spice Level to Your Taste: Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can vary in heat depending on the brand and how many seeds are included. If you prefer a milder sauce, start with fewer chipotle peppers or remove the seeds before blending. Conversely, if you like it hot, feel free to add more chipotle peppers or extra adobo sauce for an added punch.
❖ Let the Sauce Rest for Better Flavor: After cooking, let your Chipotle BBQ sauce rest for a few hours (or overnight if you have the time). This allows the flavors to meld and deepen, giving you an even more robust and flavorful sauce. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will improve as it sits.
❖ Use It as a Versatile Marinade: This Chipotle BBQ sauce isn’t just for grilling. You can use it as a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or beef. Coat your meat with the sauce and let it marinate for at least an hour (or overnight) to infuse it with smoky, spicy goodness before cooking.
❖ Vegan-Friendly Substitutions: If you’re looking for a vegan version of this recipe, swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar. Additionally, make sure the Worcestershire sauce you’re using is vegan-friendly, as many traditional varieties contain anchovies. There are several plant-based versions available that will work just as well in this recipe.