Homemade BBQ sauce recipe made with blueberries? Yep! This Blueberry BBQ Sauce is so much tastier than any store-bought bottled sauce. There’s just a touch of spice and a little sweetness, all perfectly balanced. With very little prep and some cook time, you’ll be left with the tastiest homemade BBQ sauce that can be used on so many things.
This easy blueberry BBQ sauce recipe was originally posted in May 2016, but has been updated with further recipe details.
Hi everyone! How’s it going? How was your weekend? Do you guys watch Chef’s Table on Netflix? I really enjoy that one.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s basically a series showcasing various chefs and their restaurants, their stories and some amazing food. I swear, every time I watch that show I get so inspired and it puts me right in the mood to cook.
Ok, well I’m usually always in the mood to cook, always in the mood to eat, but even more so after watching this.
Do you have any show recommendations? I’m always up for checking out something new, especially when it involves food! Without further adieu, onto this fruit BBQ sauce!
What Goes in Blueberry BBQ Sauce?
Speaking of food, how about more food, LOL? It’s so awesome to use ingredients in unexpected or non-traditional ways. Like, making homemade BBQ sauce with blueberries! I love experimenting in the kitchen and it’s definitely my happy place.
So, what goes in BBQ sauce? The base of many homemade BBQ sauce recipes is ketchup. That is definitely in this blueberry barbecue sauce recipe, but besides that there are:
- Plenty of blueberries (4 whole cups … after all this is a blueberry sauce recipe)
- Tomato paste (to thicken)
- Aromatics like garlic and shallot
- Some mustard and vinegar to brighten
- Some seasoning
- Touch of maple syrup to reinforce the sweet side of things
- Chili and cayenne for some heat
- Cilantro stems for a little freshness
Sounds yummy, right?
How to Make BBQ Sauce
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot cook garlic, shallot and chili in some olive oil for a few minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to pot, including:
- tomato paste
- blueberries
- balsamic vinegar
- maple syrup
- whole grain Dijon mustard
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- salt
- pepper
- cayenne
- cilantro stems
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for about an hour (or until you’ve reached your desired consistency), stirring every 20 minutes or so, ensuring that it isn’t sticking.
- Then, blitz with an immersion blender or mash with a potato masher or simply leave as is!
- Pour into a jar.
- Enjoy!
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Tips for Making this Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Use a heavy-bottomed pot. Whenever I’m making sauces or jams I find that a heavy-bottomed pot works best and stuff don’t tend to stick like it would with a thinner pot.
Fresh cilantro stems were added to this blueberry BBQ sauce to add a little freshness and something different. If you’re not a cilantro fan, feel free to substitute with parsley or omit altogether.
Don’t leave the sauce and do whatever. Be mindful to check on occasionally and stir so there’s no sticking/burning.
Not into spice? Omit the chili peppers if you like (though this isn’t a spicy BBQ sauce). If you like things spicier, though, add a little more.
As mentioned above, I used an immersion blender to lightly blitz the sauce. If you don’t have that, use a potato masher. Alternatively, just break up with a spoon or leave as is. Make as smooth or as chunky as you wish.
How to Thin Barbecue Sauce
Is this blueberry BBQ sauce too thick? No worries! Just thin it out with a touch of ketchup or water, starting with about 1 tablespoon. Be careful not to add too much so that the flavours are diluted. Remember, you can always add more, but can’t take away.
How to Thicken Barbecue Sauce
Is your blueberry barbecue sauce too thin? Continue cooking until it reduces or thicken with a cornstarch slurry (use about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water). Stir and mix into BBQ sauce until things thicken.
How to Use this Blueberry Sauce
This homemade BBQ sauce recipe is legit good, you guys, and always gets rave reviews from those that make it (dare I say the best BBQ sauce recipe??). It’s delicious on SO many things, but some of my faves are:
- Ribs
- Chicken wings
- Hamburgers
- Pork chops or roast
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Stir into homemade beans
Do I Need to Refrigerate Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Yes! Store, covered, in the fridge.
How Long Does Homemade Barbecue Sauce Last?
Enjoy this homemade BBQ sauce within 5 days.
Enjoy this Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe? You May Enjoy These Too
What ingredients have you used in unexpected ways? I’d love to hear! It’s always nice trying new things.
This upcoming grilling season is the perfect time to try this BBQ sauce from scratch. It’s an easy and delicious recipe!
Hope you love this easy blueberry BBQ sauce as much as we do.
If you make this homemade BBQ sauce, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Best Blueberry BBQ Sauce Recipe (lots of blueberries)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 shallot , peeled and minced (or small onion)
- 2 red thai chili peppers , minced (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh (I used frozen))
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon whole grain dijon mustard
- ¾ cup ketchup (I used 'low-sodium' ketchup)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon, cilantro steams , minced (few stalks, no need to use leaves)
Instructions
- In a pot (I used a small Dutch oven), heat olive oil on medium low. Add garlic, shallot and chili peppers. Cook about 5 minutes.
- Add remainder of ingredients and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook about an hour or until you've reached your desired consistency/thickness, stirring every 20 to 30 minutes.
- Carefully using an immersion blender, blitz sauce (or use potato masher or spoon or simply leave as is). I didn't puree a lot because I wanted some texture. Serve with your favourite BBQ foods! Portion into a clean jar and store in the fridge. Enjoy within a few days up to a week.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot. Whenever I’m making sauces or jams I find that a heavy-bottomed pot works best and stuff don’t tend to stick like it would with a thinner pot.
- Fresh cilantro stems were added to this blueberry BBQ sauce to add a little freshness and something different. If you’re not a cilantro fan, feel free to substitute with parsley or omit altogether.
- Don’t leave the sauce and do whatever. Be mindful to check on occasionally and stir so there’s no sticking/burning.
- Not into spice? Omit the chili peppers if you like (though this isn’t a spicy BBQ sauce). If you like things spicier, though, add a little more.
- As mentioned above, I used an immersion blender to lightly blitz the sauce. If you don’t have that, use a potato masher. Alternatively, just break up with a spoon or leave as is. Make as smooth or as chunky as you wish.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
