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.
Hi everyone! How’s it going? How was your weekend? Do you guys watch Chef’s Table? 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. Besides ketchup, in this blueberry barbecue sauce recipe you’ll find:
- 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 peppers and cayenne pepper 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 pepper
- cilantro stems
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour (or until you’ve reached your desired consistency), stirring every 15 minutes or so, ensuring that it isn’t sticking.
- Then blend with an immersion blender or mash with a potato masher or simply leave as is!
- Pour into a jar.
Tips for Making 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 blend 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, stirring regularly, until it reduces or thickens to your desired consistency.
Ways To Use 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
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!
If you make this easy blueberry BBQ sauce, be sure to leave a comment below!
This recipe was originally published in May 2016 but has been updated.
Best Blueberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, peeled and minced (or small yellow 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, regular or low sodium
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 tablespoon, cilantro steams, minced (few stalks, no need to use leaves)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat.
- Add garlic, shallot and chili peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomato paste, blueberries, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using) and cilantro stems. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until you've reached your desired consistency/thickness, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
- Carefully using an immersion blender, blend sauce (or use a potato masher or spoon or simply leave as is). I didn't puree a lot because I wanted some texture.
- Allow to cool (jam will further thicken as it cools), portion into a storage jar, cover, store in the refrigerator and enjoy within a few days up to a week. Yields about 2 cups. Serve with your favourite BBQ foods!
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.
- I used an immersion blender to lightly blend 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.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Yum In Your Tum | Amanda
This sauce looks amazing Dawn! What an interesting twist on BBQ sauce. I have never seen BBQ sauce made with blueberries before, but I cant wait to try it! and Chefs Table sounds like something I need to be watching, I love anything to do with food as well! 🙂 I have Netflix, but I am usually looking for cartoons for my son to watch. My weekend was pretty busy, because I am actually in the middle of moving back to Canada. Might not even be able to cook next week during the big move. But, I will be sure to save this delicious recipe to make when I return. YUMMY!
Girl Heart Food
Thank-you!! If you love anything to do with food, even shows, then you will probably love this one! Moving back to Canada? That’s exciting. A bit colder, probably, than what you’re used to, though. Hope you get to try the recipe soon when you are all settled in 🙂 Good luck!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I haven’t seen Chef’s table, but I do have it in my list on Netflix… guess I need to get on watching it huh? Our weekend was nice – perfect mix of work and play. Anyways, nothing beats homemade BBQ sauce, especially when you add fruit to the mix! LOVE that you added blueberries to yours, Dawn! I could slather this sauce on all the things.. including my face! 😉 Cheers, sweets! xoxo
Girl Heart Food
Yes, you do! Hubby and I love it! Best to watch it with a nice glass of vino in hand and an empty belly ’cause you’re gonna wanna make something afterwards 🙂 Happy you like the recipe. Thanks for the sweet comment, Cheyanne! xo
annie@ciaochowbambina
Oh my…. Two things: I can’t wait to watch Chef’s Table and I can’t wait to delight in this blueberry sauce! I’ve been eating a lot of my favorite little blue fruit lately and you’ve given us another fabulous use for the tiny health bombs! Thanks, dear!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! You will love the show, I’m sure of it, Annie! And thanks so much for the kind comment about the sauce 🙂 Enjoy!!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I am in such a blueberry mode right now! I love ’em. I’ve never made or even tried a fruit BBQ sauce! What have I been waiting for? This looks like one I need to try!
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Kathy! I have so many ideas for blueberries. So yummy! Hope you get a chance to try the recipe soon . Enjoy 🙂
Kevin | Keviniscooking
This is great, I love fruit in BBQ sauces (as you know). The cilantro stem add is wonderful, I am just imagining the combo. Love your writing Dawn, always entertaining. Pressure cookers always intrigued my and I have a few different ones. One thing I could never figure out was why they never made one that was scorch proof, like with a teflon coating inside. BUT this last one I got, electric, too, Hot Pot pressure cooker is off the hook easy and is like 6 things in one. Yay for grilling season!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kevin! I know 😉 It’s a lovely combo….hard to imagine not that long ago I didn’t like cilantro and now I try to put it in everything 😀 Appreciate the kind words about the writing, Kevin…that means a lot 🙂 The one I have has a teflon coating inside. Yours sounds wicked…6 things in 1? Talk about useful! And a double Yay from me for grilling season 😉 Bring it!!
Tracy | Baking Mischief
I *just* started season one of Chef’s Table last night and was in tears like 5 minutes in! The passion these people have for what they do is so lovely to watch! I can’t wait to watch the rest of the series.
This sauce looks AMAZING! I would never have considered blueberries in bbq sauce, but now I so want to try it. And over ribs? Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!
Girl Heart Food
I know, right? So good!! It only gets better 🙂
Thank-you, Tracy!! You’re gonna love (at least I hope so) Yeah, I put on ribs that were a little spicy and the combo worked perfectly. Now I want ribs, lol.
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
One of my favorite BBQ sauces from a place nearby in Asheville NC is a blueberry version so this sounds perfect for me! I’m all about calling this health food, too, and adding it to everything all summer long!! Pinned!
Funny about the pressure cooker… I didn’t know one growing up but we have one and I’m definitely scared of it. I know I just need to get on with it, read the manual again and start cooking, but it seems intimidating even as an adult 😉
Also, I need to tune into Chef’s Table – sounds like a good one! XO
Girl Heart Food
Yay! And yay for calling it a health food 🙂 I agree! So many good things in blueberries, isn’t it? Thanks so much for the Pin too, Kathryn…much appreciated!
I’m still not 100% over my fear of the pressure cooker, but getting more comfortable with it. Every time I use it, I’m always cautious that the cover is on properly and all the buttons are in the right position.
Chef’s Table is truly awesome. If you watch it, let me know what you think! Have a great week, girl! xo
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
I lllooooovvveeee condiments! Can’t wait to try this blueberry-barbecue-sauce!!!! and I have never heard of Chef’s Table on netflix! but sounds like I need to watch it! I love shows like that! and this BBQ sauce needs to happen at my next cookout for sure!
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Alice! Condiments, garnishes, you name it….really makes a dish, doesn’t it? Yay! Happy you like this recipe 🙂 You would really enjoy Chef’s Table. Hubby and I could easily watch the entire season in one sitting, but we like to take our time and enjoy every episode. Kinda stretch it out. So good. Thanks for the sweet comment!
David @ Spiced
What a fun recipe, Dawn…and perfect for the summer! You’ve got summer berries in there to create a fun twist on a classic summer sauce. I need to try this…ASAP! And the cilantro stems? I like that! I’m guessing this would be an excellent sauce on all sorts of grilled summer dishes. Yum! P.S. I’m still scared of our pressure cooker, too. Hah!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, David! The cilantro really does add a nice background freshness to the sauce. Glad you like the recipe. I must admit, I’m not fully over my fear of the pressure. Have a great week!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I’ve never watched Chef’s Table before, but I need to check that out! This barbecue sauce looks AMAZING, Dawn! I’ve never heard of a blueberry kind before, so I’m intrigued. I love the ingredients in here and how fresh this sounds. I could put barbecue sauce on just about anything, so I know this would be perfect. Pinned, of course! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Girl Heart Food
Oh, yes, you should definitely do that Gayle! I’m sure you would love it. Thanks so much! I love bbq sauce too, especially anything homemade. Hope you get a chance to try soon and thanks so much for the Pin, sweets 🙂 Have a lovely week too!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
My mum had a pressure cooker and I have been terrified of it as a child 🙂 Never watched chef’s table but I love watching cooking shows. It is so relaxing and inspirational at the same time. Blueberries in a bbq sauce is an amazing idea. I have to admit I am not too experimental in the kitchen – I once tried basil in a dessert and that was beautiful.
Girl Heart Food
Good to know I’m not the only one, Miriam 😉 Hubby and I watch a lot of cooking shows. I think I never get tired of them! Basil in dessert sounds delicious!Thanks so much for the comment, girl! Have a great week.
Kate @ Framed Cooks
Oh gosh – blueberry bbq sauce? Now THAT says summer all over it. Thanks for this great recipe – it’s going on my Summer of 2106 list!
Girl Heart Food
Doesn’t it, though? Thanks so much, Kate! Enjoy 🙂
Adina
I have cooked blueberries in so many ways but never like this, I am keeping this in mind for the next season, we have a huge and wonderful blueberry field not far away from us. Concerning food related books I can always recommend Nigella Lawson’s “How To Eat”, I read that book almost as if it was a novel. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Oh that would be wonderful to pick your own berries and then make this sauce 🙂 Thanks so much for the book recommendation; I’ll certainly have to check that one out…she’s great! Thanks for the comments, Adina. Have a great week!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I’m ALWAYS in the mood to cook too Dawn! And this blueberry bbq sauce will definitely be on my summer menu! I’ve never tried a bbq sauce with blueberries. Can’t wait to try! Hope you had a fabulous weekend!
Girl Heart Food
Cooking is the BEST, isn’t it? I find it soooo relaxing!! Plus, then I get to eat all the goodies, lol, and that’s pretty great too 😉 Thanks so much, Mary Ann! Happy you like the recipe 🙂 I did have a lovely weekend! Hope you did too. xo
Demeter | Beaming Baker
Alright, let’s go ahead and exchange high-fives for sharing a constant state of being in the mood to cook and eat. Lol. I’ve never seen Chef’s Table before, but you certainly have me intrigued!
Meanwhile, this blueberry barbecue sauce looks so, sooooo good!
The top blowing off the pressure cooker: OMG!! I totally thought the same thing! I mean, it’s called a pressure cooker!! It’s not called a relaxing + safe cooker. Lol. Glad that you got one and overcame your childhood fears. And now, we all have this wonderful blueberry bbq sauce because of it. 🙂 Yay!! Hope you’re having an awesome Memorial Day Weekend, D. Pinning, of course! xo
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
I keep meaning to watch Chef’s Table! I’ve heard awesome things about it. It’s on my list!
This BBQ sounds fantastic- I love the idea of making your own instead of buying premade!
Girl Heart Food
It’s really great, Sarah! One of my favourite foodie shows, for sure! Thanks so much 🙂