Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

With its delightful balance of juicy cherries and the spicy flavor profile of chipotle peppers, this Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce can transform any meal into a memorable feast.

Whether you’re slathering it on ribs, glazing chicken, or even drizzling it over roasted veggies, it perfectly captures the essence of both summer sweetness and smoky heat.

I have a slight obsession with making my own bbq sauce. I put it on just about everything, burgers, steaks, chicken strips, even pizza! No, not regular pizza, Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza silly.

This year for Thanksgiving I wanted to change things up (because I don’t actually like turkey) so I created a Southwest Roasted Turkey smothered in this thick and delicious – slightly sweet, slightly spicy, cherry bbq sauce – and it was amazing!

Ingredients

• Ketchup: Ketchup offers a tangy and sweet base for the sauce. It’s something almost everyone has in their pantry, making it a convenient starting point.
• Sweet Cherries: Fresh or frozen cherries bring a natural sweetness and a pop of color. They are an essential component, combining with the other flavors to create a delightful sweet-spicy balance.
• Cherry Concentrate: This is my secret weapon to achieving and deep, cherry flavor that holds it’s own with the flavors of chipotle peppers.
• Chipotle Peppers: These are the real kick in the sauce. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add a smoky heat that’s both bold and flavorful. You can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or fewer peppers.
• Sweet Onion & Garlic: These add another dimension to the barbecue sauce and help to bring the flavors together.
• Brown Sugar: Adding brown sugar can heighten the sweetness and add a rich molasses flavor. It’s perfect if you want a sweeter profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A dash of this sauce brings an umami flavor that complements the sweetness of the cherries and smokiness of the chipotles.
• Spices: Chili powder and ground allspice add an extra layer of depth and flavor to your sauce.

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

How to make Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in the ketchup, cherries, brown sugar, cherry concentrate, Worcestershire sauce, diced chipotle pepper, Dijon mustard, chili powder, ground allspice, salt and black pepper. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes.

Remove from heat and carefully puree with an immersion blender until smooth.

Allow to cool completely, then pour into a lidded container, like a mason jar, and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Expert Tips

• If your sauce is too thick, a splash of water or additional cherry concentrate can help. If it’s too thin, simmer it a bit longer until it thickens.
• You need to use cherry concentrate, not cherry juice. You can find it in the health food section at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
• Keep an eye on the sauce to prevent it from burning. Stir often to ensure even cooking.
• Taste the sauce as it simmers. If you prefer more heat, add another chipotle or adobo sauce. For sweetness, add more brown sugar or drizzle in some honey.
• Different types of cherries will alter the flavor profile. Sour cherries will add a tart element, while black cherries will deepen the sweetness and color. You may need to adjust the sweetener and acid (like vinegar or lime juice) to balance the flavors.
• Homemade sauce can last for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. If you want to extend its shelf life, consider freezing the sauce in portions or canning it using proper preservation methods.
• For sugar free bbq sauce, substitute Swerve brown for the brown sugar and choose a cherry concentrate with no added sugars.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
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Enjoy!!