Posts may contain affiliate links that help enable me to continue to provide you with free recipes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Per the National Center for Home Food Preservation, all meats must be pressure canned however they do not condone canning cured meats. Others have done it and I as well however with this recipe. I would advise doing your own research on this and contacting them directly for any updated instructions.
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 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1/3 cup whiskey (Jack) or beef broth
- 4 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder or 1/2 cup strong coffee
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon Spice Rub *See Note
Spice Rub
- 2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 4 tablespoon 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 tablespoon of bacon grease from the pot and discard.
- To the pan, add the onion, garlic, tomatoes, and 2 tablespoon 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.
doug says
“1/2 lb bacon, chopped into 1” pieces”
is this a solid slab of bacon cut into one inch cubes or slices of bacon cut every 1 inch. if it is slices of bacon, what thickness of bacon do you recommend.
Best,
Doug
TKWAdmin says
Hey Doug, great question, thanks! I bought thick sliced bacon though I have made it with regular sliced bacon as well. The thickness depends on how much ‘texture’ you want in your sauce. I thought about using slab bacon but I didn’t want ‘cubes’ if you will in the sauce. These pieces are just the perfect size.
If you use cubes, while the outside would be crispy the inside would still be rather ‘soft’ and I think that as a texture in bbq sauce wouldn’t be a welcome addition.
For me I prefer the thick sliced bacon cut into 1″ strips. It renders down nicely and has just enough texture to give you a blast of bacon in every bite.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
doug says
Thanks for the quick reply. This looks awesome. Going to give the short rib pizza a go on the grill tomorrow. pretty excited.
TKWAdmin says
You are most welcome! I’m so excited too! What time should I be there to help you eat it? Tee hee 🙂
chris says
What kind of spice rub? Is this a store bought or hone made mixture?
jamie says
im wondering about the rub also? is there a special recipe?
TKWAdmin says
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for bringing the omission to my attention. This bbq sauce was part of the BBQ Boneless Beef Short Rib Sliders (http://www.thekitchenwhisperer.net/2013/06/10/bbq-boneless-beef-short-rib-sliders/) that used this rub. I had the recipe there but didn’t put it in here. I’ve updated the recipe above.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
TKWAdmin says
Hey Chris,
Sorry about that! I missed putting it in the recipe. It’s now fixed.
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
This makes more than enough Spice Rub for the recipe so jar the rest for another use (awesome on chicken!)
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Jojo says
Everyone LOVED the sauce and the sliders, we also had BBQ hamburgers (etc.) so I was able to send everyone home with little cups of sauce, rolls and meat for a treat the next day. Of course, everyone wanted the recipe. Thank you again.
TKWAdmin says
That is so awesome to hear Jojo! You’re like me – make extra and send everyone home with a ‘goodie’ bag 🙂 Love it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Jojo says
Just made the sauce. Oh my, you said “trust me.” Well kiddo you have earned my trust BIG TIME. This is a wonderful sauce, so good, so many uses. Not having JD on hand I went to the liquor store and purchased (2) mini bottles which one is not quite enough for 1/3 cup but the second one leftover so only need to purchase one next time. Also cooked the ribs yesterday but not quite to the point I would like them – put in the fridge overnight so this morning I was able to remove all the accumulated fat off the top, pull them out & remove any remove any fatty areas that remained on the meat and they are now cooking again, will be done just in time for company and the addition of this fabulous sauce. Thank you so much, will be a staple around here for sure.
TKWAdmin says
Yeah!! Jojo I am THRILLED to hear this! I am beaming from ear to ear! This sauce is just… I’m speechless! And with those shortribs! Lord have mercy! Try that sauce on chicken next time you grill! Use the same dry rub and then when the chicken is almost done, baste it with that sauce!
HEAVEN!
I can’t wait to hear what your company has to say about it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Jojo says
The short ribs are in the crock pot! Just the smell is wonderful and the same for the rub. Cannot wait to try these. On my way to the state owned liquor store for some JD to make the sauce. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
The Contessa (Linda) says
This is a “must try soon” recipe. Thank you for sharing
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
Tumbleweed Contessa
TKWAdmin says
Hi Contessa!
You are most welcome! Have a fantabulous day!
Best Kitchen Wishes!