• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop

Chili Pepper Madness logo

  • Recipe Index
  • RECIPES BY TYPE
    • BBQ/Grilled
    • Burgers
    • Chicken Wings
    • Chili
    • Curry
    • Dehydrator
    • Game Day
    • Hot Sauces
    • Jalapeno Poppers
    • Marinades
    • Pickling
    • Preserving
    • Quick and Easy
    • Salsas
    • Sauces
    • Seasonings
    • Stuffed Peppers
    • Tacos
  • COOKING TIPS
  • Pepper Info
    • Chili Pepper Types
    • The Scoville Scale
    • Hottest Peppers in the World
    • Growing Chili Peppers
    • Preserving
    • Health Benefits
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Buy Plants & Seeds
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes
  • Pepper Info
  • Chili Pepper Types
  • The Scoville Scale
  • Growing Chili Peppers
  • Preserving
  • Chili Pepper Health Benefits
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Cooking Tips
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • About Us
×

Home » Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Apr 15, 2022 · 24 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

This bbq sauce recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy with jalapeno peppers, bourbon and honey. It's tangy and flavorful and great on anything. Fire up the grill!

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Homemade Spicy BBQ Sauce is the Best

We're making some homemade bbq sauce in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. Care to join me? Everyone needs a good homemade bbq sauce recipe, and this one delivers on all levels. It brings a nice balance of sweet and heat and overall flavor that's great on anything for the grilling and bbq season.

Plus, it's very easy to customize to your own preferences, from the heat factor to the level of sweetness to the seasonings used. Feel free to mix things up for a more personal experience.

My preferred version uses jalapeno peppers for a nice level of every day heat along with honey and brown sugar for sweetness, and bourbon for an extra special finishing flavor that we just love.

It's quite a bit like a Kansas City style bbq sauce, with a great balance of heat and sweet.

I like to make an extra large batch and keep it in the refrigerator for quick and easy grilling throughout the week. I'm ready to fire up the grill right now. How about you?

Let's talk about how to make bbq sauce, shall we?

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce in a bowl

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Ingredients

  • The Peppers (and Veg). I'm using a couple of medium-sized jalapeno peppers for this homemade barbecue sauce recipe for a nice level of heat. Try it with spicier peppers for some serious heat. I also use onion and garlic for flavor and body.
  • Tomato Sauce. Tomato sauce is key for the sauciness of the bbq sauce. Most recipes call for ketchup, which is totally fine to use, though ketchup usually has a lot of sugar, so be sure to adjust as needed.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar brings the tangy element to the sauce, and is sweeter than white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
  • Worcestershire Sauce. This is a great flavor builder and perfect for homemade bbq sauce!
  • The Seasonings. I use cayenne pepper for extra heat and smoked paprika for a touch of smokey flavor, along with ground mustard and a touch of salt and pepper. You can try other seasonings to your preference, such as garlic powder. Feel free to experiment.
  • The Sweet. Honey and brown sugar are perfect for bringing in not only our sweet element for this bbq sauce, but also a nice touch of flavor. If you feel the sauce is too sweet, use one or the other, or cut back on both of them. Maple syrup is a nice substitution.
  • Bourbon. Bourbon carries oak and caramel flavors that translate wonderfully to the finished bbq sauce. This gives the sauce a distinctive finish.
  • Hot Sauce. Use your favorite! You'll get even more heat, which is what I love.
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Ingredients

How to Make Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce - the Recipe Method

Cook Down the Peppers, Onions and Garlic. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan to medium heat. Add onion and peppers and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and cook another minute, until garlic becomes fragrant.

Cooking down peppers, onions and garlic to make homemade bbq sauce

Simmer the Sauce. Add remaining ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors mingle. You can simmer longer if you'd like.

Simmering all of the ingredients in a pan to make bbq sauce

Option 1 - Strain the Sauce. Strain into a serving container and use as desired.

Option 2 - Process the Sauce. Transfer the ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth for a thicker version. Use as desired, or strain to thin it out.

Processed bbq sauce in a food processor

Serve it Up. You can serve this right away, or let it sit awhile to allow the flavors to more fully develop. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce on a basting brush

Boom! Done! Your sweet and tangy and spicy homemade bbq sauce is ready to go! Use it on anything from the grill, from BBQ chicken wings to bbq chicken pizza, grilled pork chops, grilled chicken, pork ribs, all of your favorites.

Enjoy! Such a great bbq sauce recipe. One of our favorites for sure.

Spreading homemade bbq sauce onto grilled chicken wings

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • The Heat Factor. Jalapeno peppers have a nice level of heat for most people, though more serious chiliheads can easily use hotter peppers to really heat things up. Try this bbq sauce recipe with serrano peppers for even more heat, habanero peppers for some serious heat, or ghost peppers for something truly spicy. Carolina Reapers, anyone? Oh boy!
  • Bourbon Alternatives. I have made this bbq sauce with tequila and rum as well and loved them both. Give those a try for a nice variation!
  • Non-Alcoholic Version. If you'd prefer to skip the booze, use a flavorful broth instead, or skip it entirely. You may need a bit of water to thin out the bbq sauce, though. Toss in some liquid smoke for a smoky pop!
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce on a spoon, ready to serve

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my homemade bbq sauce recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • Mango-Habanero BBQ Sauce
  • Alabama White BBQ Sauce
  • Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
  • Spicy Honey BBQ Sauce
  • Ancho BBQ Sauce
  • Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
  • Peach-Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • Chipotle-Bacon-Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • Homemade Mumbo Sauce
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce on a spoon

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe
Print

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe

This bbq sauce recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy with jalapeno peppers, bourbon and honey. It's tangy and flavorful and great on anything. Fire up the grill!
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course, sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq, bbq sauce, grilling, recipe, spicy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 123kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 6
Tap or hover to scale
4.91 from 11 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1-2 jalapeno peppers diced (use hotter if you'd like, such as habanero)
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (use ketchup for a sweeter version)
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (try it with tequila or rum instead, or use broth or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (try it with ghost pepper powder for extra hot)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey (maple syrup is a nice substitution)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (use less or omit for less sweet)
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan to medium heat. Add onion and peppers and cook for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute, until garlic becomes fragrant.
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors mingle. You can simmer longer if you'd like.
  • Option 1: Strain into a serving container and use as desired.
  • Option 2: Transfer the ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth for a thicker version. Use as desired, or strain to thin it out, plus more vinegar or water to thin as desired.
  • You can serve this right away, or let it sit awhile to allow the flavors to more fully develop. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Video

Notes

Makes 2-1/2 cups unstrained.
The Heat Factor. Jalapeno peppers have a nice level of heat for most people, though more serious chiliheads can easily use hotter peppers to really heat things up. Try this bbq sauce recipe with serrano peppers for even more heat, habanero peppers for some serious heat, or ghost peppers for something truly spicy. Carolina Reapers, anyone? Oh boy!
Bourbon Alternatives. I have made this bbq sauce with tequila and rum as well and loved them both. Give those a try for a nice variation!
Non-Alcoholic Version. If you'd prefer to skip the booze, use a flavorful broth or apple juice instead, or skip it entirely. You may need a bit of water to thin out the bbq sauce, though.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 123kcal   Carbohydrates: 22g   Protein: 1g   Fat: 1g   Saturated Fat: 1g   Sodium: 390mg   Potassium: 301mg   Fiber: 2g   Sugar: 18g   Vitamin A: 1148IU   Vitamin C: 15mg   Calcium: 29mg   Iron: 1mg
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/15/22 to include new video and information. It was originally published on 7/21/14.

 

Categories: BBQ/Grilled Tags: BBQ, Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, game day and superbowl parties, jalapeno pepper, patty's favorites, tailgating

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. suzanne bussiere says

    June 27, 2022 at 10:18 am

    5 stars
    Well just made this sauce might I say its a bit hot on the tongue.But very good and spicy.
    Know my hubby will love it.
    Thank you Mike for all your good recepies.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      June 27, 2022 at 10:54 am

      Thanks, Suzanne! I hope he enjoys it! Yes, quite a bit spicy, though you can dial that back a bit next time if needed.

      Reply
  2. Adam says

    May 04, 2022 at 4:33 am

    5 stars
    Very good indeed, thank you. I used dark rum instead of bourbon as that’s what I had at hand, and I’m very pleased with the results.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 04, 2022 at 6:30 am

      Nice! I love it, Adam. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Gloria says

    April 18, 2022 at 9:52 am

    5 stars
    This is THE BOMB!! Only changed one thing: went with the hot and deliciously fruity Habanero pepper. So good. Thanks again, Mike. You've become my go to for hot and delicious recipes. As I've told you before, your PuertoRican recipes are so spot on it's like my abuelita is cooking for me. Thanks for this amazing website. 🙂

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 18, 2022 at 10:05 am

      Awesome, Gloria! Very happy you enjoyed it! And I greatly appreciate the comments! Happy to be helpful.

      Reply
  4. Xavier says

    December 17, 2021 at 1:30 am

    4 stars
    Nice recipe here, definitely gonna try it this season.
    What can I use as a substitute for mustard

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      December 18, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      You can use actual mustard instead of mustard powder, or omit the ingredient.

      Reply
  5. David Lister says

    September 27, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Hey man,
    I'm keen on making this sauce, I'm not from the US, so when you say 'Tomato Sauce' in the ingredients, what do you mean exactly?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      September 28, 2020 at 5:44 am

      David, "tomato sauce" here in the U.S. is just processed tomatoes. It is basically a puree of fresh tomatoes. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    June 07, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    How long does it last refrigerated ?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 08, 2020 at 6:35 am

      Linda, this will last a month or longer, covered, because of the vinegar content. You can also freeze it. I hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
  7. Bill Hawkes says

    June 06, 2020 at 11:54 am

    Have you ever tried this recipe using spiced rum? If you have, what did you think about it?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 06, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Bill, absolutely. Rum would be great here. It's also good with tequila or whiskey/bourbon. Let me know how it turns out for you.

      Reply
  8. Leigh says

    June 01, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Mike,
    Dad's jalapeno peppers put to good use again!!
    Hunters chicken for dinner tomorrow using this BBQ sauce.
    Son-in-law doesn't like BBQ sauce but tried this one and was very impressed .
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 01, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      Yes! I love to hear it, Leigh. Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  9. Jayne says

    May 27, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    Hi
    Just wondering what mustard are we talking about, English, Dijon, American Yellow,..... ?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 28, 2020 at 6:45 am

      Jayne, the recipe calls for ground mustard, which is a typical mustard powder made from ground mustard seeds, usually yellow seeds. You can use a bottled liquid mustard, though. I would use spicy brown, but any will add some nice flavor. Let me know how it turns out for you.

      Reply
  10. Jeff Hendee says

    May 23, 2020 at 7:12 am

    5 stars
    If I make an even larger batch to give away or sell at craft fairs, can this be water-bath canned in pint jars?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 23, 2020 at 8:26 am

      Jeff, you can definitely water bath this, but check the pH first. For home preserving, it's best to shoot for 3.5 or lower. Otherwise, you can use a pressure canner.

      Reply
  11. Tarkkonen Raimo says

    May 23, 2020 at 4:15 am

    5 stars
    Good for basting/mopping?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 23, 2020 at 6:48 am

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  12. can I do something else instead of the ketchup ? I try to use mostly home grown but, I don says

    October 21, 2019 at 5:09 am

    This sounds yummy

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      October 21, 2019 at 8:05 am

      Yes, use tomato sauce instead of ketchup, or fresh tomatoes. You may want to adjust some of the sweet if you'd like.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

ALL. SPICY. RECIPES. Hi, I’m Mike and I LOVE Spicy Food! Say goodbye to bland and boring food with my easy-to-follow recipes. Let’s get cooking!

More about me →

Mexican
Cajun
Sauces
Seasonings

5 ESSENTIALS FOR SPICY COOKING

Subscribe and receive my FREE email series with tips for spicy cooking and new Recipes

Order The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND / BOOKS A MILLION

Order The Spicy Dehydrator Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND

Most Popular Recipes

  • Bang Bang Chicken
  • Jamaican Curry Chicken
  • Mexican Birria Recipe
  • Homemade Blackening Seasoning
  • Michelada Recipe - Spicy Mexican Beer and Tomato Juice Cocktail
  • Pollo Guisado Recipe (Chicken Stew)

Footer

NEVER MISS A RECIPE

Receive my "5 Essentials for Spicy Cooking" email series & new recipes

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Travel-Food | Stories | Privacy | Disclaimer | © 2022 Chili Pepper Madness

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER OF MEDIAVINE FOOD