This delicious and easy Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. Made with simple pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and apples, it’s quick to prepare and ideal for grilling, dipping, or glazing. Use it on chicken, ribs, or even roasted veggies for a burst of bold flavor!
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Gala apples, diced fine
How To Make Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce?
- Combine the ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the ketchup, dark brown sugar, applesauce, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, garlic powder, ground ginger, liquid smoke, onion powder, salt, and diced apples.
- Simmer the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly and the apples soften.
- Blend until smooth: Remove the saucepan from the heat and blend the sauce using an immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, let it cool slightly and blend in a standard blender.
- Store and serve: Serve warm or let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Recipe Tips:
- Use sweet apples for the best flavor : Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples work best because they add natural sweetness and balance the tangy vinegar.
- Simmer for the right time : Cooking for at least 15 minutes helps the flavors blend, but don’t overcook, or the sauce might get too thick.
- Blend for a smooth texture : If you like a silky sauce, use an immersion blender. For a chunkier texture, mash the apples instead of blending.
- Adjust sweetness and tang : If you want a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. For a tangier kick, increase the apple cider vinegar.
- Store it properly : Let the sauce cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week!
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Freeze: This sauce freezes well! Once cooled, pour it into a freezer-safe container or a resealable bag, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Place the sauce in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Potassium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 0g
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Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Description
This delicious and easy Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. Made with simple pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and apples, it’s quick to prepare and ideal for grilling, dipping, or glazing. Use it on chicken, ribs, or even roasted veggies for a burst of bold flavor!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the ketchup, dark brown sugar, applesauce, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, garlic powder, ground ginger, liquid smoke, onion powder, salt, and diced apples.
- Simmer the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly and the apples soften.
- Blend until smooth: Remove the saucepan from the heat and blend the sauce using an immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, let it cool slightly and blend in a standard blender.
- Store and serve: Serve warm or let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- Use sweet apples for the best flavor : Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples work best because they add natural sweetness and balance the tangy vinegar.
- Simmer for the right time : Cooking for at least 15 minutes helps the flavors blend, but don’t overcook, or the sauce might get too thick.
- Blend for a smooth texture : If you like a silky sauce, use an immersion blender. For a chunkier texture, mash the apples instead of blending.
- Adjust sweetness and tang : If you want a sweeter sauce, add more brown sugar. For a tangier kick, increase the apple cider vinegar.
- Store it properly : Let the sauce cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week!
Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce