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Jun 8 2013

Bacon BBQ Sauce

Find the recipe card at the end of the post. Make sure to read the content as it contains chef tips, substitution options, and answers to FAQs to help you succeed the first time around!

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This is just…

words just can’t describe how amazing…

Bacon BBQ Sauce

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.

Bacon BBQ Sauce2
Bacon BBQ Sauce1

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?!!!

BBQ Boneless Beef Shortrib Sliders1

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!

GrilledBBQBeefShortRibPizza

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.

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Bacon BBQ Sauce

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5 from 31 reviews

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  • Author: The Kitchen Whisperer
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 45
  • Yield: ~ 3 cups of sauce
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: bbq, sauce

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

  1. Add the spice rub ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Cover tightly and set aside.
  2. You will have extra so store in an air-tight container.

Make the Bacon BBQ Sauce

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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114 responses

  1. Kurt
    July 7, 2016

    I’m definitely gonna try this one. That pizza looks amazing!! Although, I don’t think a “Dutch oven” is what I would use (at least not mine). ????
    Definitely on my short list.

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      July 7, 2016

      Hey Kurt,

      Thank you 🙂 The pizza recipe on the site too – just search for Short Rib Pizza. It’s a staple in my house. What type of pot would you use for this?

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  2. Robert
    July 7, 2016

    How much sauce does this recipe make?

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      July 7, 2016

      Hi Robert!

      This makes almost 2 pints.

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  3. Lisa
    May 3, 2016

    This is AMAZING!

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      May 3, 2016

      You are most welcome Lisa!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  4. Lindsay
    May 3, 2016

    Thanks so much for the quick reply. I decided to make the recipe as is and leave it chunkier, it smelled and tasted SO good! My 4 year old came downstairs out of his bed and said “I smell something delicious, is it bacon” Can’t wait for everyone to taste it on the short ribs tonight! I let it cool and stored in the fridge to use today, the layer of fat on top solidified as it cooled, and there seems to be a pretty decent amount of it, I assume from the bacon rendering. Should I skim that off before I reheat to use today or just incorporate it back into the sauce? I don’t want it to be oily, but didn’t notice anything about this in the original recipe. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Lindsay
    May 2, 2016

    I’m in the middle of making this now. Is this a “chunky” style bbq sauce or am I missing a step of blending it? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      May 2, 2016

      Hi Lindsay!

      I leave it chunkier but you can easily blend it to smooth. It’s honestly your call. If you look closely at the pics it has ‘chunks’ or bits in it but again it’s totally up to you. Let me know what you think of it!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
      1. Lindsay
        May 2, 2016

        Thanks so much! I decided to leave it chunkier and follow recipe as is :)I made tonight to use on the short ribs tomorrow. It’s cooling now, and I’m noticing a good amount of darker red oil on the top, I assume from the rendered bacon. Should I be skimming that or leaving it in when I jar it?

        Reply
      2. Lindsay
        May 2, 2016

        Thanks so much for the quick response. I decided to leave it chunkier and follow the recipe as is. I made it tonight to prep to make the short ribs tomorrow. It’s cooling now, and I’m noticing a decent amount of darker red oil on the top. I assume from the bacon rendering. Should I be skimming this when it cools/solidifies or leaving it in when I jar it? Thanks again!

        Reply
  6. ᗩᗰᗩᑎᗪᗩ
    April 19, 2016

    I ᗩᗰ ᔕO ᒪOOKIᑎG ᖴOᖇᗯᗩᖇᗪ TO TᖇYIᑎG TᕼIᔕ ᖇEᑕIᑭE ᗩT TᕼE ᖴᗩᗰIᒪY ᑕOOK Oᖴᖴ. I TᕼIᑎK ITᔕ ᗩ ᗯIᑎᑎEᖇ ᖴOᖇ ᔕᑌᖇE!

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      April 20, 2016

      Hi Amanda!

      You guys are going to love this! Let me know what your prize is WHEN you win 🙂

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  7. Ruth
    April 4, 2016

    OMG. I just finished and tasted this BBQ sauce, it to die for. Planning on making the short ribs tomorrow, my problem is going to be keeping my spoon out of the jar between now and then.

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      April 7, 2016

      I LOVE it Ruth! Thank you so much! Oh I know exactly what you are talking about with the spoon in the jar as I do that myself.

      WAIT until you use this as a pizza sauce with bacon and chicken. Seriously you’ll want to kiss someone!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  8. Mary
    January 30, 2016

    How long will the leftover sauce keep in the fridge. I’m not really interested in processing or canning it. Can you freeze the leftover sauce?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      January 30, 2016

      Hi Mary!

      It’ll last about 2-3 weeks. And yes you can freeze it. I have a bunch in my freezer now actually.

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  9. Crystal Stanfield
    May 16, 2015

    What can I use in place of the whiskey? I know it cooks out any alcohol but I don’t want to invest in that.

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      May 17, 2015

      Actually Crystal, alcohol does not burn off completely when cooking or baking with it. There still are remnants of the alcohol left behind. Since it only calls for a small amount either you can buy the little ‘airline’ size bottles at the liquor store or use vanilla and maple extract in it’s place. It’s not a one-for-one ratio. Just go with a tsp of each with perhaps a little heavier on the maple.

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  10. Erin
    October 1, 2014

    How long does this sauce stay good? Want to add it to my brother’s bacon basket for Christmas.

    Reply
    1. TKWAdmin
      October 1, 2014

      Per http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/FreezerChart.htm it says 6 months opened however due to it having meat in it I would opt for a month. HOWEVER if you have a pressure canner you can make a huge batch of this and can it properly and it’ll last at least a year on the shelf.

      Love the idea of a bacon basket!!!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
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