This is sweet-and-tangy Raspberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce A fun fruity twist on that classic BBQ sauce. Pour it over juicy ribs, chicken, tacos, or top it with cream cheese for an appetizer. It's the perfect spice!
Why you'll love this raspberry chipotle barbecue sauce recipe
This fruity raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce with a hint of garlic is an easy way to take your cooking to the next level.
- Sweet and delicious. Brown sugar and tomato sauce temper the tang of apple cider vinegar and raspberries, creating a perfectly balanced sauce.
- simple You just need to fry the onion and then boil the mixture for few minutes.
- Better than store bought. The recipe contains no added sugar or salt. You can also make it spicy or reduce the sweetness if you like.
- Freezer-friendly. At your next cookout, pull something out of the freezer and start grilling right away.
What you will need
Liquid smoke, a hint of molasses from the brown sugar, and sweet chipotles help create a smoke in the sauce. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.
- red onion – White or yellow onions also work.
- garlic- Fresh garlic and garlic paste are best.
- Olive oil – You can also use vegetable, corn or canola oil.
- liquid smoke – Swap it for Worcestershire sauce if you prefer.
- Brown sugar – It can be light or dark brown sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar – Avoid white vinegar as it is too tangy and sharp.
- Chipotles – They are also called “Chipotles in Adobo Sauce”. You can find it at Mexican supermarkets.
- Raspberry – You can use fresh or frozen (thawed).
- Tomato sauce – Make sure it's plain, so there's no Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese.
How to Make Raspberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
You'll never go back to store-bought BBQ sauce after seeing how easy this homemade version is. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.
- Add chopped onions. Add oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and fry until soft and translucent. Add garlic and chipotle. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Bring it together. Mix in tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and liquid smoke. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- boil Fold in the raspberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool and use for your favorite BBQ recipes. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
Spicy jalapeños and slices of tart raspberries can help enhance the flavor of this smoky raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.
- Use non-stick. While stainless steel cookware is great, it's easy to stick and burn things. Since the sauce contains sugar, I recommend sticking to non-stick pots and pans to prevent messes and spoilage of ingredients.
- Keep it low. Do not raise the heat to medium or high while simmering the sauce. The sugar will burn from one second to another and will give the sauce a bitter taste. This can clog the mixture and make it a bit chunky.
- Make it spicy. Stir in 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or red pepper sauce for heat. Sauteing 1/4 fresh jalapeño with the onion also works.
- Add texture. Chop up 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries and gently fold into the sauce before brushing the mixture over your favorite protein.
- Cut back on sweets. If you're not a fan of BBQ sauces that are on the sweet side, don't add all the sugar at once. Add 1/2 tablespoon at a time until sweet in taste. You will need to simmer the sauce for 3-5 additional minutes so that it thickens properly.
Ways to use it
Regardless of your protein of choice, you can add some raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce for sweet, caramelized goodness.
Proper storage
Make sure the raspberries are completely cooled before storing to prevent the mixture from fermenting.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Pour it into freezer bags in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To reheat it: Microwave it in 15-second increments until heated through. Brush it on your favorite recipes as usual.
More spice recipes to try
description
This smoky raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce recipe with garlic, liquid smoke and sweet onions is a fun twist on the classic BBQ sauce.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil and red onion.
- Saute for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent, add garlic cloves and chipotle pepper. Stir and fry for 30 seconds.
- Then add tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke. Stir until brown sugar dissolves.
- Add the raspberries, stir and bring to a boil.
- Once it boils, reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the event.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
