Name: Best Blueberry BBQ Sauce Recipe {lots of blueberries}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 16 2 cups, approximately
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 cloves garlic (-minced); 1 shallot (-minced (or small onion)); 2 red thai chili peppers (-minced (or to taste)); 1 tbsp tomato paste; 4 cups blueberries (-frozen or fresh (I used frozen)); 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 2 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp whole grain dijon mustard; 3/4 cup ketchup (-I used 'low sodium' variety); 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (-optional); 1 tbsp cilantro steams only (-few stalks, chopped)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 May 2016, but has been updated with further recipe details.

Hey everyone! How’s it going? How was your weekend? Do you guys watch Chef’s Table on Netflix? They just released Season 2 and it’s unreal. I really enjoy that show. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s basically a series showcasing various chefs and their restaurants, their stories and some amaaaazing 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. Some of the food, though, is like art. You should totally check out this show. Do you guys have any show recommendations? Always up for checking out something new, especially when it involves food! Anywho, onto this fruit bbq sauce, shall we?

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?

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!

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 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp of cold water. Stir and mix into bbq sauce).

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 for a little somethin’ somethin’

Do I Need to Refrigerate Homemade BBQ Sauce?

Yes! Store, covered, in the fridge.

How Long Does Homemade Barbeque 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 recipe, delicious and there’s load of antioxidants in those blueberries.

Hope you love this easy blueberry bbq sauce as much as I do.

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,

~Dawn

An overhead shot of a jar blueberry barbecue sauce alongside a spatula and blueberries.

5 from 1 vote