Description
Blueberry jalapeño bourbon BBQ sauce blends sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors into a bold condiment perfect for summer grilling. Homemade preservation brings gourmet complexity you can savor on meats, sandwiches, and more throughout the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Peppers:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 12 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) bourbon
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Base and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) tomato paste
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare blueberries by rinsing fresh varieties or thawing frozen ones, ensuring thorough drainage. Remove seeds from jalapeños and chop finely according to desired heat level.
- Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium temperature. Sauté diced onions until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and chopped jalapeños, cooking briefly to release aromatic flavors.
- Pour bourbon into the pan, gently stirring to lift browned bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce and alcohol to evaporate.
- Combine blueberries, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, smoked paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper into the saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring periodically until sauce thickens and blueberries break down.
- Use an immersion blender to create a smooth consistency, alternatively transferring to a countertop blender in batches after slight cooling.
- Taste and refine flavor profile by adjusting seasonings as needed.
- Sterilize canning jars and lids through boiling water method, maintaining warmth until filling.
- Carefully ladle hot sauce into prepared jars, leaving½ inch headspace. Clean jar rims and secure lids with fingertip-tight bands.
- Submerge filled jars in boiling water canner, processing for 15 minutes while accounting for altitude variations.
- Allow jars to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours, verifying seal integrity before storage.
Notes
- Balance heat by removing jalapeño seeds for milder sauce or adding extra seeds for more intensity.
- Swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken stock for non-alcoholic version, maintaining deep flavor complexity.
- Experiment with alternative berries like raspberries or blackberries for unique sauce variations.
- Use an immersion blender cautiously to prevent splattering, ensuring smooth sauce consistency without burning yourself.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg