Posts may contain affiliate links. Please see my Privacy Policy for further details.
This is just…
words just can’t describe how amazing…
Trust me on this one. Make this Bacon BBQ Sauce…
This sauce is sweet, spicy, tangy, zippy, bacon-y, it’s full bodied and robust.
It’s thick and rich and did I mention BACON-Y????
In some upcoming recipes you’ll see just how I used this sauce… other than eating it straight off the spoon!
Look at these GORGEOUS BBQ Boneless Beef Short Rib Sliders!!! Tell me these don’t scream SHOVE ME IN YOUR FACE RIGHT NOW?!!!
And this!
THIS!!!
Grilled Pizza (either on the bbq or indoors) with Shredded Beef Short Ribs and Bacon BBQ Sauce!
Like literally, I ate an entire one myself!
A word on canning
Do NOT use a water bath method on this. The ONLY way you should can this is by using a pressure canner as this contains meat. Please follow pressure canning guidelines to do so.
PrintBacon BBQ Sauce
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 45
- Category: Sauce
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: bbq, sauce
Find more fantabulous recipes, tips and tricks at www.thekitchenwhisperer.net. Also, join our TKW Family on Facebook
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped into 1” pieces
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tbl garlic, minced
- 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1/3 cup whiskey (Jack) or beef broth
- 4 Tbl Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbl dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp espresso powder or 1/2 cup strong coffee
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbl Spice Rub *See Note
Spice Rub
- 2 Tbl sea salt
- 1 Tbl celery salt
- 1 Tbl smoked paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbl fresh black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- 4 Tbl dark brown sugar
Instructions
Make the Spice Rub
- Add the spice rub ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Cover tightly and set aside.
- You will have extra so store in an air-tight container.
Make the Bacon BBQ Sauce
- Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot over medium heat, and add the bacon. Cook, stirring, until the bacon is browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside. Remove all but 1 Tbl of bacon grease from the pot and discard.
- To the pan, add the onion, garlic, tomatoes, and 2 Tbl spice rub mix. Stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until the onion begins to soften.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients (whiskey/broth, Worcestershire, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, espresso powder, honey and maple syrup) and bring to a low simmer. Add the cooked bacon; stir. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the stove and allow to cool if leaving chunky. If you want it smooth, use an immersion blender to smooth. Transfer to a covered container (I prefer glass) and store it in the fridge.
Notes
The Spice Rub recipe makes more than what is called for in this recipe. I would recommend making a batch of it, measuring out what you need for the recipe, and then putting the rest in a jar with a lid for later.
Keywords: bacon bbq sauce, sticky bbq sauce, tangy bacon sauce
The instructions for this recipe are incomplete. They never say to add the whiskey or to add the crisp bacon. Do you blend this to make it smooth or leave it lumpy? Please be more specific. NOTE: I added the bacon then I used my immersion blender to make it smooth then I canned it.
Hey Pat,
That’s odd as I just checked and it’s all there in the instructions. Maybe your browser pulled up an old cached page.
Refresh your browser and check again.
When you canned it, I’m assuming you used a pressure canner and not a water bath, correct?
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Should I drain the bacon fat, or keep it in there on step 1? Thanks!
Hi Tara!
I didn’t because there wasn’t a lot of fat however if you feel that there’s too much you can drain all but a Tbl (as you’ll need some fat for the onions to saute in). I’ll upadte the recipe instructionsn for more clarity!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This recipe sounds delicious and I love anything with bacon. What would you suggest as a substitute for the whiskey?
Hi Ellen,
Beef Broth instead of Whiskey.
Best Kitchen Wishes!