Impress Your Guests with This Homemade Apricot BBQ Sauce
Welcome to the world of BBQ sauce making! Nothing brings people together like a good old-fashioned barbecue, and nothing makes it better than a homemade sauce. Today, we’re going to introduce you to a recipe that will have your guests’ taste buds dancing with joy – the Apricot BBQ Sauce.
This sauce is not your average barbecue sauce. It’s a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and sweet flavors that will complement everything from pork to chicken. The secret ingredient? Apricots. Yes, you heard that right. This recipe uses apricot jam and dried apricots to give it a unique flavor profile that’ll make any meat shine.
Some say that BBQ sauce is the heart of every BBQ meal. It’s what takes an ordinary piece of meat and turns it into something special. This recipe aims to do just that. By combining the best ingredients, including Worcestershire sauce, garlic cloves, onion, cider vinegar, ketchup, apricot preserves, and brown sugar – we’ve created a masterpiece.
So fire up your grill and get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy apricot BBQ sauce recipe. Whether you’re new to BBQ sauces or looking for something different than the traditional barbecue flavor – this Apricot BBQ Sauce is perfect for everything from grilled meatloaf to roasted vegetables.
We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grilling enthusiasts, rejoice! I bring you the perfect BBQ sauce recipe that will soon become a staple for all your meat recipes. This Apricot BBQ sauce is an absolute game-changer, and you’ll love it for so many reasons.
Firstly, let’s talk about the ingredients. This sauce recipe uses a potent combination of fresh apricots, BBQ sauce staples such as ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, and other pantry essentials to give your taste buds the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors. Not only that, but this recipe is incredibly versatile, as you can switch it up with substitutes or try out different variations to suit your preferences.
But what sets this recipe apart from others is its ability to elevate any meat it grills. Trust me; this Apricot BBQ sauce is perfect for everything from pork ribs to chicken thighs. The secret lies in the sweet and savory taste of the sauce that adds flavor depth to any dish without overpowering its natural taste.
And if that’s not enough reason to make it, the preparation is easy-peasy. It takes only a few minutes with a blender or food processor to pulse everything together – how convenient is that?
So there you have it – the best Apricot BBQ sauce recipe known to mankind. Perfect for summer nights and even for those impromptu backyard barbecues; it’s so good that you’ll want to keep creating new meat dishes just to slather this sauce all over them again and again.
Don’t take my word for it – try it out yourself and thank me later!
Ingredient List
Below is a list of ingredients you will need for your homemade Traeger Apricot BBQ Sauce recipe:
Here’s what you need:
- Apricot preserves: 1 cup
- Dried apricots: 1/4 cup
- Brown sugar: 3/4 cup
- Ketchup: 1 cup
- Cider vinegar: 1/4 cup
- Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Traeger Apricot BBQ Sauce: 2 cups
- Garlic cloves: 2, chopped
- Onion: 1, chopped
- Canola oil: 1 tablespoon
For a spicier version of this sauce, consider adding spicy apricot jam or roasted apricot. You can also adjust the sweetness and tanginess by tweaking the amount of brown sugar and vinegar. And don’t forget to choose fresh apricots for the best flavor possible in this easy apricot BBQ sauce recipe!
The Recipe How-To
Before starting, gather all the ingredients you will need for this easy apricot BBQ sauce recipe.
Step 1: Preparing the Apricots
Start by preparing the apricots. You will need 2 cups chopped apricots, which can be either fresh or dried. If using dried apricots, make sure they are moist and plump before using them in this recipe.
Step 2: Cooking the Onion and Garlic
Heat up 1 tablespoon of canola oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add in 1 chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute.
Step 3: Combining the Ingredients
To the saucepan, add 2 cups of ketchup, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, ½ cup of honey, ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika powder. Mix everything together well.
Step 4: Adding the Apricots
Add in your chopped apricots, along with 18 ounces of apricot preserves/jam or diced roasted apricots to the saucepan. Make sure to mix everything together well.
Step 5: Simmering the Sauce
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. Once it has reached boiling point, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Final Step: Pulse the Sauce
Once your sauce has cooled down slightly, transfer it into a blender or food processor and pulse a few times to get a smoother consistency.
Your homemade apricot barbecue sauce is now ready! Enjoy it on everything from pork chops to grilled chicken thighs!
Substitutions and Variations
Apricot BBQ sauce has a wonderful balance of sweetness, tanginess, and smokiness that makes it perfect for anything from pork ribs to grilled chicken. If you’re looking to switch things up, here are some substitutions and variations that you can try:
1. Substitute honey or maple syrup for the brown sugar. Both of these options will add a natural sweetness to the sauce and complement the apricot flavor nicely.
2. Swap out the ketchup for tomato paste or canned tomatoes. This will give the sauce a deeper tomato flavor and a thicker texture.
3. Use fresh apricots instead of dried apricots or apricot preserves. This will give the sauce a more subtle apricot flavor and a fresher taste overall.
4. Add some heat with spicy apricot jam or red pepper flakes. This will give the sauce a little kick without overwhelming the other flavors.
5. Make it smokier by using Traeger pellet grills to cook your meat and vegetables before adding the sauce. Traeger’s popular apricot BBQ sauce already has a wonderfully smoky flavor, but cooking everything on a pellet grill takes it to another level.
6. Play around with the seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce are all fantastic additions to this sauce, but feel free to experiment with other seasonings as well. The secret recipe to making perfect everything is experimentation!
Keep in mind that any changes you make to this recipe may alter the flavor slightly, so start small and taste as you go until you achieve the perfect balance for your palate!
Serving and Pairing
The versatile Apricot BBQ Sauce complements a variety of dishes, making it the perfect accompaniment to your grilled meats. Its unique blend of tangy sweetness and smoky flavor pairs well with everything from pork to chicken.
When serving, pour the sauce generously over your meat dishes right before serving. The sauce can also be used as a marinade for an extra flavor boost. To take things to a whole new level, try basting your meats with the sauce while cooking on the grill – this will caramelize the sugars in the sauce and give your bbq a sticky glazed finish.
For a complete meal, pair your grilled meats with some delicious side dishes; coleslaw, baked beans or cornbread all make excellent BBQ side dishes. If you want to take things up a notch, slather some apricot BBQ sauce onto freshly grilled veggies or use as a dipping sauce with appetizers like chicken wings.
For those looking for a spicy kick, add some chopped jalapenos or cayenne pepper to the recipe for some heat!
Whether you are hosting a backyard summer bbq or simply craving some homemade bbq sauce, apricot bbq sauce is perfect everything from meatloaf to grilled vegetables. With its sweet and tangy flavor profile, it’s sure to become a crowd-pleaser at all of your bbq events!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
It’s always good to plan ahead when it comes to meal preparation, especially if you’re hosting a barbecue or gathering. Lucky for you, this apricot BBQ sauce recipe can be made ahead of time and stored until you’re ready to use it.
To make this sauce in advance, simply combine all the ingredients listed in the recipe and store in an airtight container. You can store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to keep it for much longer periods, store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
When reheating the sauce, all you have to do is take it out of the fridge or freezer, and either heat on your stove or microwave until hot. But do make sure that you stir the sauce occasionally as sugar tends to settle at the bottom of the container, which can cause the flavor to be inconsistent.
If you find yourself needing to thin out the sauce before reheating it or during cooking, just add some apple cider (or any type of vinegar) or even a bit of water or chicken broth. This will help bring back its consistency.
Lastly, if you have any leftovers after your barbecue event, you can always store them for next time! This apricot BBQ sauce goes well with pork, chicken and even meatloaf. It’s versatility and flavor make it worth keeping around for future gatherings or quick dinner ideas.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect Apricot BBQ Sauce every time, attention to detail is key. Even a slight variation in the ingredients or cooking technique can make all the difference. Here are my top tips for ensuring you end up with a BBQ sauce that is sweet, tangy and smoky with just the right consistency.
Firstly, when preparing your ingredients, take the time to properly measure everything out. Precision in ingredient amounts is crucial to achieving the desired flavor and texture of your sauce. To ensure accuracy, use measuring spoons and cups instead of eyeballing it or estimating.
Secondly, it’s important to let your sauce cook long enough for all the flavors to meld together. A slow simmer over low heat works best to achieve this. Resist the temptation to rush things by turning up the heat or boiling too rapidly, as this can cause sugars in the sauce to burn and give it a bitter taste.
Thirdly, don’t skimp on quality ingredients. Choose ripe apricots with good flavor and aroma, and avoid using canned or processed alternatives. Use only high-quality ketchup or tomato paste, and opt for organic wherever possible.
Lastly, be sure to taste as you go along. Adjusting seasonings is essential to perfecting a sauce. Taste frequently but do not add salt until near the end of cooking time as it can lead to over-salting.
Follow these tips and you’ll have a delicious Apricot BBQ Sauce that is perfect everything from pork and chicken dishes to meatloaf and beyond!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Apricot BBQ Sauce is a must-try recipe for any grill master looking to add something sweet and savory to their grilling repertoire. This sauce is perfect for everything from pork to chicken, and its unique blend of flavors will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
With its easy-to-follow recipe, this sauce can be made in advance and stored for later use. It can even be used as a base for other sauce recipes, adding a delicious twist to your favorite grilling dishes.
From the sun-dried apricots to the traeger apricot bbq sauce, this recipe has everything you need to make the best apricot barbecue sauce around. So why not give it a try? Your friends and family will thank you for it!
Apricot BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in medium-size saucepan.
- Bring to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes.
- (Sauce can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days).