Description
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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 cooking 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.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level to your taste.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Sauce, Spicy BBQ Sauce, Homemade BBQ Sauce