Spicy Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe
A from-scratch spicy honey BBQ sauce made with fresh habanero and jalapeno peppers, not ketchup. Thick, bold, and deeply flavored, with honey and brown sugar balancing the heat. Adjust the spice level to your taste, from mild to extra hot.
Servings: 8
Calories: 146kcal
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 2-3 jalapeno peppers diced
- 4 habanero peppers diced
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 ounces tequila
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons spicy chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan to medium heat and add olive oil with onion and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes, or until everything softens.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, until garlic becomes fragrant.
- Pour in the tequila, then scrape up the flavor-packed browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer 1 minute.
- Add the tomato paste stir a bit. Cook 1 minute to bloom and deepen the tomato flavor.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.
- Transfer the bbq sauce mixture to a blender and process until smooth. Adjust with water 2-3 tablespoons at a time to thin to desired consistency, if needed.
- Transfer to a bottle or storage container - strain if desired for an even smoother bbq sauce. You can serve this right away, or let it sit awhile to allow the flavors to more fully develop.
Video
Notes
Stores in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks in an airtight container. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 1435IU | Vitamin C: 18.9mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.7mg