Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Sweet, smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy, this homemade Blueberry BBQ Sauce is an easy way to add bold flavor to grilled meats, especially pork ribs, chicken, and summer BBQ favorites. Made with wild blueberries, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, gochujang, molasses, and smoked paprika, this fruity barbecue sauce is a unique twist on a classic.
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Servings: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 16 ounces wild blueberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Add the wild blueberries, dark brown sugar, ginger, garlic, apple cider vinegar, gochujang, kosher salt, cinnamon, molasses, soy sauce, and smoked paprika to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the blueberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Return the sauce to the saucepan if needed and simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes if you prefer a thicker glaze consistency.
- Use immediately or allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries, both work beautifully in this recipe.
- Simmer longer for a thicker, glaze-like sauce or add a splash of water to thin it out.
- For the best flavor, make the sauce ahead of time and let the flavors develop overnight.
- Brush onto ribs or grilled meats during the last few minutes of cooking to caramelize the sauce without burning.