This is sweet and rich Raspberry Chili BBQ Sauce A fun, fruity twist on the classic barbecue sauce. Spread it over juicy ribs, chicken, tortillas, or serve it on top of cream cheese as an appetizer. This is the perfect condiment!
Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe
This fruity raspberry pepper BBQ sauce with a hint of garlic is an easy way to take your picnic to the next level.
- Sweet and delicious. Brown sugar and ketchup temper the flavors of apple cider vinegar and raspberries, creating a perfectly balanced sauce.
- Simple. You just need to sauté the onions and cook the mixture for a few minutes.
- Better than store bought. There is no excess sugar or salt in the recipe. You can even make it spicier or less sweet if you like.
- Suitable for freezing. Grab some from the freezer at your next picnic and start grilling right away.
what do you need
The liquid smoke, molasses from the brown sugar, and sweet jalapeños help enhance the smoky flavor of the sauce. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities.
- red onion – White or yellow onions also work.
- garlic – Fresh garlic and minced garlic are best.
- olive oil – You can also use vegetable, corn, or canola oil.
- Smoke liquid – You can swap it out for Worcestershire sauce if you like.
- brown sugar – It can be light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
- apple cider vinegar – Avoid using white vinegar as it is too strong and harsh.
- jalapeno pepper- These are also known as “jalapenos in adobo sauce.” You can find them in Mexican supermarkets.
- raspberry – You can use fresh or frozen (thawed).
- ketchup – Make sure it's plain so it doesn't have any Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese in it.
How to Make Raspberry Chili BBQ Sauce
You won't want to go to the store-bought BBQ sauce again after you see how easy this homemade BBQ sauce is. Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card.
- Sauté the onions. Add oil to large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until softened and translucent. Add garlic and jalapeños. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Put it together. Add tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar and liquid smoke. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Bring it to a boil. Stir in raspberries and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Set it aside to cool before using it in your favorite grilling recipes. enjoy!
Tips and variations
Spicy jalapeños and chunks of tart raspberries help elevate the flavor of this Smoky Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce.
- Use a non-stick pan. While stainless steel pans are great, things are more likely to stick and burn. Since the sauce contains sugar, I recommend sticking to non-stick pots and pans to prevent mess and wasted ingredients.
- Keep a low profile. Do not turn the heat to medium or high while the sauce is cooking. The sugar will burn every second, giving the sauce a bitter taste. It also grabs the mixture and thickens it slightly.
- Make it spicy. Stir 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the sauce for extra heat. Sauteing 1/4 of a fresh jalapeño pepper with the onions also works.
- Add texture. Chop 1/2 cup fresh raspberries and gently stir into the sauce, then brush the mixture over your favorite protein.
- Reduce sweetness. If you don't like sweeter barbecue sauce, don't add all the sugar at once. Add 1/2 tablespoon at a time until sweet. You will need to cook the sauce for an additional 3-5 minutes to thicken properly.
How to use
No matter which protein you choose, you can add some Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce for a sweet, caramel-y goodness.
Store correctly
Make sure to cool completely before storing to prevent the raspberry mixture from fermenting.
- refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or glass jar for up to 4 days.
- refrigerator: Portion into freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- To reheat: Place in the microwave and heat in 15 second increments until hot. Brush it onto your favorite recipe as usual.
More seasoning recipes to try
describe
This Smoked Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce recipe features garlic, liquid smoke, and sweet onions for a fun twist on the classic BBQ sauce.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add olive oil and red onion.
- Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until onions are translucent, add garlic cloves and jalapeños. Stir and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Next add the tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke. Stir until brown sugar dissolves.
- Add raspberries, stir and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
