Get the App

Recipes

Find a Recipe Blue Ribbon Recipes Pinch It!™ Feed Browse All Recipes

Editorial

Food Bites & Articles Videos What is a Blue Ribbon? Meet the Test Kitchen

Community

Member Recipes Groups Sweepstakes Contests Shopping

awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

(1 rating)
Andy59 avatar
Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
@Andy59
Wichita, KS

On New Year’s Eve I always serve my smoked pork ribs, slathered in my homemade BBQ sauce. This is a kickin’ sauce that really delivers a lot of flavor, and can stand up to the rigors of a slow cooker without breaking down. I have clients that will never use any other BBQ sauce, and so I usually make this sauce by the gallon. I’ve tried several variations on this sauce; even using Chinese vinegar to kick up the tartness level. But this basic recipe is lip smacking good stuff. So, you ready… let’s get into the kitchen.

(1 rating)
yield serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

  • DRY SPICES
  • 1 Tbsp
    dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp
    smoked paprika
  • 2 Tbsp
    chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    ground yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried sage
  • 1/2 tsp
    cayenne powder (totally optional)
  • 1 tsp
    salt, kosher variety
  • THE SAUCE
  • 8 oz
    smoked bacon, rough chopped
  • 1 md
    yellow onion, rough chopped
  • 4 clove
    garlic, rough chopped
  • 1 lg
    shot of good bourbon
  • 1/2 c
    coffee, brewed
  • 1/2 c
    espresso, brewed
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh honey
  • 1 c
    ketchup, homemade, if possible
  • 1 Tbsp
    soy or tamari sauce

How To Make awesome honey bacon bourbon bbq sauce

  • 1
    Gather your dry ingredients.
  • 2
    Gather your sauce ingredients.
  • 3
    Rough chop the bacon, onion, & the garlic.
  • 4
    Chef's Note: What's a rough chop. A rough chop is when the veggies need to be cut up but they are not a part of the presentation of the dish.
  • 5
    Chef’s Note: Take a nice big swig of the bourbon… just to make sure it’s fresh.
  • 6
    Place a skillet over medium heat, and then add the bacon.
  • 7
    Cook, stirring regularly, until the bacon begins to brown, but not burn, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • 8
    Add the onion and garlic to the skillet.
  • 9
    Continue to cook and stir, until the onions have softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • 10
    Add all of the dry ingredients.
  • 11
    Chef’s Note: The cayenne sends this sauce into the hot category. You can cut that down to a small pinch, or leave it out altogether. When I leave it out, I usually add a bit of cumin as a substitute.
  • 12
    Stir until they are combined into the bacon/onion mixture.
  • 13
    Chef’s Note: Take another swig of the bourbon… just to make sure it’s still fresh.
  • 14
    Deglaze the pan with a generous splash of bourbon (a nice large shot).
  • 15
    Immediately take the pan off heat.
  • 16
    Add the contents of the pan to a blender or stand mixer.
  • 17
    Add the coffee, espresso, ketchup, honey, and soy sauce.
  • 18
    Chef’s Note: When I talk about using ketchup in this recipe, I would really hope you choose a homemade variety. Otherwise you are making a condiment out of a condiment. Besides, store-bought ketchup has things in it, other than ketchup. Go homemade… if you can. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/versatile-homemade-ketchup.html?r=1
  • 19
    Blend until completely smooth.
  • 20
    Store in a glass airtight container, and refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy.
  • 21
    Keep the faith, and keep drinking… err cooking.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
ADVERTISEMENT