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A jar of fresh, rich bbq sauce homemade, ready for dipping and grilling.

Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce Homemade

Craft a deliciously smoky and spicy homemade BBQ sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo. Perfect for adding a kick to any dish, this recipe is easy to follow and yields a rich, flavorful condiment.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Blender (optional)

Ingredients
  

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups can tomato sauce or ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1-2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 tbsp adobo sauce from the can

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil for 3-5 minutes until softened. Then, add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce (or ketchup), apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, minced chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce, mixing thoroughly.
  • Add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the mixture, stirring until all ingredients are well combined and no clumps remain.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for heat.
  • For a silkier sauce, carefully transfer the hot sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
  • Remove the sauce from heat, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to airtight jars or containers for storage.

Notes

This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For an extra smoky flavor, you can add a pinch of liquid smoke during the simmering process.