BBQ sauce is a way of life in this house. There really isn’t much I wouldn’t put it on, except cupcakes. Oh wait, don’t they make meatloaf cupcakes? I stand corrected. I know I’m gonna get flack but I have to say it, I’m not a fan of vinegary Carolina style sauce but I love me some Memphis style sweet and smoky sauce. Brown sugar and molasses are some of the first things I look for when I try a new sauce. While I’ve found some good ones, sometimes, you just want to make your own.
You can customize the flavors to your preference and in the fall, I prefer all things apple which is how this Apple Cider BBQ Sauce was born. When it cooks low and slow on the stove, it smells like heaven. Your spouse may drift down the stairs on a cloud of bliss saying “what’s that amazing smell!?” and you can be all “oh, just a little something I whipped up. How about BBQ beef sandwiches tonight?” And they will love you forever. Okay, they already do but you know…more. Those signs you see at craft shows that say “love you more?” They were made by the hands of grateful people who ate this sauce. I might’ve exaggerated on the last one. Seriously though, I had to hurry up and film and the stuff away because I was doing “quality control” checks by the spoonful. If you have a foodie in your life, this would make an awesome gift! The video shows you how to bring it all together and what the recipe should look like in different stages.
Need some suggestions on what to slather this stuff on? These are my favorites!
Easy Crock Pot Beef Roast (BBQ sammies, anyone?)
Juicy Oven Baked Chicken (This dish is begging for this sauce!)
Mr. Kringle’s Favorite Meatloaf (Five minutes before it’s finished, pour this sauce on and let it bake in. YUM!)
Ode to Slabtown Burger (Make a great burger even better!)
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Apple Cider BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 cup no salt ketchup (or regular just omit the salt below)
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp hickory liquid smoke
Optional
- 1 tsp berbere (Optional-for sweet heat)
- 1/2 tsp of salt (if needed)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (if needed after tasting)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan on medium low heat and allow to reduce for about 20-25 minutes.
- When the sauce coats the back of the spoon, it's ready!
- Taste sauce and make any flavor adjustments before putting in an airtight container. Good for 7-10 days.
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34 Comments
Oh my, this sounds amazing. I am going to try this!
I think you’ll love it!
BBQ sauce is a way of life in our home too. Especially when I throw away my husband’s sugar free BBQ sauce because we aren’t doing Keto any more and forget to replace it with REAL BBQ sauce. Guess I’ll make him this. 🙂
I slathered this on top of meatloaf Monday night and it was sooo good all caramelized on top!
Hello there!
I saved one bbq sauce recipe a couple of years back 😀 but never made it, yours looks nice! I wish I could take and try some, hope you’ve brought many liters to the Fiesta Friday party 😀 I’m sure many bloggers would like to get some
Hope you’re having fun and visit other bloggers’ posts as well. Have a nice weekend!
Homemade BBQ sauce is super easy to make and you can customize it so many ways!
This is so good <3
Thanks so much!
This sounds amazing! Any good substitute for molasses? Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
You can do a 1:1 substitute of maple syrup or honey. There are lots of great flavored honey out there, cinnamon or chipotle would be good choices. (I get mine through Beekman 1802 who has the BEST honey I’ve ever had!)
Maple syrup sounds fantastic! Thank you. 🙂
Sounds so good! I think I HAVE seen recipes for meatloaf cupcakes, so that would work. 😉 Pinning!
#inspirememondaylinkup
Absolutely! I’m down for meatloaf cupcakes any day! 😀
This sounds like an amazing barbecue sauce. And so easy to do! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – and have a wonderful week. Hope we see you next Sunday too!
Very easy and so customizable too!
That sounds lovely and definitely a much different BBQ sauce. Thank you for sharing.
Certainly, a lot more flavor than store bought! 😀
Now that is one excellent looking sauce! So deep and rich. I’d love to try it with the berbere!
Thanks for sharing your creation with us at Fiesta Friday this week!
Mollie
It is so yummy and that berbere gives a nice sweet and spicy kick!
Love this recipe. Scheduled to share on Coastal Bohemian in November.
Aww, thanks so much!
What a great flavor combo! Thanks for sharing.
We sure think so!
Oh this sounds AMAZING! I made a bbq sauce with peach preserved this summer that my family just loved and I am thinking it’s time to mix up a batch of fall bbq sauce. Pinned.
This sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Thanks!
This looks amazing. My hubby is a bit of a suace addict, so im gonna treat him to some of this at the weekend.
#happynowlinkup
Ooh, hope he likes it!
Sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!
Thank you!
This sounds so tasty!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much!
This wonderful post is a GARDEN feature on the November You’re the STAR blog hop: https://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2018/10/youre-star-week1-garden-november-2018.html
Thanks
Angie
Thanks so much! I appreciate it!