Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce Recipe

If you’re looking to add a smoky and tangy flavor to your grilled meats, then this Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce recipe is just what you need. It combines the rich flavors of bacon, bourbon, and barbeque sauce to create a bold and mouthwatering sauce that will take your grilling to the next level.

This recipe uses a combination of classic barbecue sauce ingredients such as ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce, but adds a unique twist with the addition of crispy bacon and a splash of bourbon. The bacon provides a smoky and salty flavor, while the bourbon adds a depth and complexity to the sauce.

To make this Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce, start by frying some bacon until it’s crispy. Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set it aside. Then, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and bourbon in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the crumbled bacon to the sauce and stir it in until it’s well combined. The sauce is now ready to be used on your favorite grilled meats!

Ingredients

• Bacon: This recipe calls for strips of bacon, which will add a smoky and salty flavor to the sauce.
• Onion: Chopped onions are used to add a sweet and savory taste to the sauce.
• Garlic: Minced garlic cloves provide a rich and aromatic flavor to enhance the overall taste of the sauce.
• Bourbon: This alcoholic ingredient gives the sauce a distinct flavor and helps to bring out the flavors of other ingredients.
• Ketchup: Ketchup acts as the base for the sauce and provides a tangy and slightly sweet element.
• Apple cider vinegar: This ingredient adds acidity and tanginess to balance out the sweetness of the ketchup.
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds a complex and savory flavor to the sauce.
• Mustard: Dijon mustard or a similar variety will provide a sharp and slightly tangy taste to the sauce.
• Dark brown sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a thick and rich texture.
• Smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the sauce.
• Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper gives a slight heat and warmth to the sauce.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is used to enhance the overall flavors and balance the sweetness.

These ingredients work together to create a sauce that is rich, bold, and full of flavor. The combination of bacon, bourbon, and other savory elements make this sauce a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or as a dipping sauce for appetizers. The balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors makes it a versatile sauce that can be enjoyed on a variety of dishes.

Instructions

To make the bacon bourbon barbecue sauce, follow these simple steps:

1. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside to cool. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
2. Sauté the onions and garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Add the remaining ingredients: Once the onions and garlic are cooked, add the tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, and the crumbled bacon. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Blend the sauce: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a regular blender to puree it until smooth. Be careful not to burn yourself when blending hot liquids.
6. Adjust the seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more brown sugar for sweetness, more bourbon for a stronger flavor, or salt and pepper for additional seasoning.
7. Store the sauce: Once the sauce has cooled, transfer it to a jar or airtight container for storage. It can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

This bacon bourbon barbecue sauce is perfect for glazing grilled meats or serving as a dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce. This will give it a deeper, more intense barbecue flavor.
• If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a tablespoon or two of honey or brown sugar to the mixture. This will balance out the savory flavors and add a touch of sweetness.
• If you like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce. This will give the sauce a spicy kick.
• You can also experiment with different types of mustard to change the flavor profile of the sauce. Dijon mustard will add a tangy, slightly spicy flavor, while honey mustard will add a touch of sweetness.
• If you don’t have bourbon on hand or prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or orange juice. This will still give the sauce a tangy, acidic flavor without the alcoholic undertones.

Here is a table summarizing the different variations you can try:

Feel free to get creative and customize the sauce to your personal taste preferences. Whether you like it spicy, sweet, or smoky, there are plenty of variations you can try to make the bacon bourbon barbecue sauce your own!