Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

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A sweet, smoky, and tangy barbecue sauce made with apple butter. Perfect for ribs, chicken, or pulled pork!

Course condiment

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword apple bbq sauce, apple butter bbq sauce, apple butter bbq sauce recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings servings (1/4 cup each)

Calories 104kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Equipment

medium saucepan

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup
¾ cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup water
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional), for heat
Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, apple butter, vinegar, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and cayenne (if using).
Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10–15 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, or additional vinegar for tang.
Use immediately or let the sauce cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Video

Notes

Apple butters can vary in sweetness. Taste your bbq sauce and adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences. For instance, add more vinegar to make it tangy, or increase the cayenne for a spicy kick. You can also use less sugar for a less-sweet sauce.

Nutrition