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Indulge your taste buds with the tantalizing fusion of tangy and sweet flavors in our exquisite Blueberry BBQ Sauce. Crafted with a perfect balance of luscious blueberries and smoky barbecue goodness, this delectable condiment is a culinary masterpiece.
What is Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Blueberry BBQ sauce is a unique and flavorful condiment that combines the tangy sweetness of blueberries with the smoky and savory elements of traditional barbecue sauce. It’s similar in uniqueness to Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce. It’s also a delicious blend of ingredients that offers a delightful balance of fruity and savory flavors.
Blueberry BBQ sauce can be used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for a variety of dishes, including grilled meats, poultry, vegetables, and even sandwiches. Its vibrant taste adds a delightful twist to traditional barbecue fare, making it a versatile and exciting addition to your culinary repertoire. Use it as a wing sauce, or coat your Pulled Pork, Pork Butt, or chicken in it.
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh Blueberries – Using fresh blueberries enhances the vibrant flavor of the sauce. Fresh blueberries provide a natural sweetness, juiciness, and complex taste.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is a crucial ingredient in blueberry BBQ sauce, just as it is in Carolina BBQ Sauce. It provides a tangy flavor, complexity, tenderizing properties, and versatility.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds a rich and deep sweetness to the sauce. Its molasses content provides a distinct caramel-like flavor that complements the tanginess of the blueberries and balances the overall taste profile.
- Molasses – Molasses contributes a distinctive and robust flavor to the sauce. Its deep, slightly bitter-sweet taste adds complexity and depth. It also helps achieve a thick and velvety texture in the sauce.
- Spices – You will add additional flavor to the sauce by mixing in the spices garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and some salt and pepper.
How to Make Blueberry BBQ Sauce
- Bring ingredients to a boil. Place all of your ingredients in a medium saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and bring your mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally so that the blueberries are evenly coated with the other ingredients.
- Reduce heat and simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Be sure to stir the sauce occasionally to prevent scorching. The moisture from the wet ingredients will help the blueberries soften as they cook, releasing enough juice to turn the mixture into a sauce.
- Pulse the sauce to barely blend it. Pour the sauce into a blender and pulse it a few times to break down the blueberries. For a completely smooth sauce fully blend it.
- Cool and store. Allow the sauce to cool fully before transferring it to a jar. Seal it with a lid and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
FAQS
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries to make blueberry BBQ sauce. Frozen blueberries can be a convenient option, especially when fresh blueberries are not in season. Just make sure to thaw the frozen blueberries before using them in the sauce.
Blueberry BBQ sauce is a versatile condiment that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, burgers, vegetables, sandwiches, ribs, tofu/tempeh, pizza, sweet potato fries, salmon, and charcuterie. Its sweet and tangy flavors elevate the taste of these dishes, creating a delightful and unique culinary experience.
Blueberry BBQ sauce can be used as a flavorful marinade. Its sweet and tangy profile imparts delicious flavors and helps tenderize the meat. Simply coat your desired protein, such as chicken, pork, or beef, with the blueberry BBQ sauce and let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. The sauce will infuse the meat with its unique blend of flavors, enhancing its taste and creating a juicy and succulent result when cooked.
Storage Information
Blueberry BBQ sauce is not only easy to make and store but is also the perfect sauce to make ahead of time.
- Make-ahead instructions: If you want to prepare blueberry barbecue sauce in advance, follow the recipe as directed and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing instructions: This recipe freezes incredibly well. If you plan to keep the sauce for more than 5 days, simply transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it for up to 3 months.
- Storage instructions: For best results, store in a sealed airtight container. I prefer to store this sauce in a jar with a lid. Make sure that your sauce has cooled fully before storing or refrigerating.
Variations
There are several variations of blueberry BBQ sauce that you can experiment with to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few examples:
- Spicy Blueberry BBQ Sauce: Add a kick of heat by incorporating ingredients like chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the base sauce.
- Balsamic Blueberry BBQ Sauce: Combine the tanginess of balsamic vinegar with blueberries for a unique flavor profile.
- Ginger Blueberry BBQ Sauce: Incorporate freshly grated ginger or ginger powder to give your sauce a delightful zing.
- Maple Blueberry BBQ Sauce: Substitute some or all of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a rich and distinct maple flavor.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Blend it up! For a smoother sauce, transfer your blueberry mixture to a blender and blend it until you reach your desired consistency. While this step is optional, it’s super easy and will only add a few more minutes to your total prep time.
- For a thicker or thinner sauce: to thicken your bbq sauce allow it to simmer for longer and for a thinner sauce don’t cook it as long.
- Stir as you simmer. Stirring your blueberry barbecue sauce occasionally as it cooks is important as this will help prevent scorching. If you don’t stir it, the ingredients may overheat and burn, having a negative impact on both the texture and flavor of the final product.
More BBQ Sauce Recipes
Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- Heavy-Bottomed Pot
- Blender optional
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh Blueberries or frozen
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional
Instructions
- Bring ingredients to a boil. Place all of your ingredients in a medium saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and bring your mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally so that the blueberries are evenly coated with the other ingredients.
- Reduce heat and simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Be sure to stir the sauce occasionally to prevent scorching. The moisture from the wet ingredients will help the blueberries soften as they cook, releasing enough juice to turn the mixture into a sauce.
- Pulse the sauce to barely blend it. Pour the sauce into a blender and pulse it a few times to break down the blueberries. For a completely smooth sauce fully blend it.
- Cool and store. Allow the sauce to cool fully before transferring it to a jar. Seal it with a lid and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
Notes
- Blend it up! For a smoother sauce, transfer your blueberry mixture to a blender and blend it until you reach your desired consistency. While this step is optional, it’s super easy and will only add a few more minutes to your total prep time.
- For a thicker or thinner sauce: to thicken your bbq sauce allow it to simmer for longer and for a thinner sauce don’t cook it as long.
- Stir as you simmer. Stirring your blueberry barbecue sauce occasionally as it cooks is important as this will help prevent scorching. If you don’t stir it, the ingredients may overheat and burn, having a negative impact on both the texture and flavor of the final product.
