Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce {The BEST Smoky BBQ Sauce recipe!} (2024)

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This is the perfect recipe for smoky chipotle barbecue sauce! Fantastic for burgers, chicken, pork chops and ribs, this simple chipotle BBQ sauce will be your new go-to recipe for grilling season.

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Is getting together with neighbors, friends and family for cookouts and get-together’s on your summer to-do list? Every summer we get together with our neighbors for fun cookouts. Great burgers, grilled chicken and pork chops are always on the menu.

But, in order for those burgers, chicken and chops to be great, they’ve gotta have a fantastic barbecue sauce! My Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce is the perfect go-to sauce recipe that I use all spring, summer and into the fall for tailgating season!

Here’s how this simple, delicious smoky barbecue sauce comes together

What is chipotle sauce made of?

A can of tomato sauce, molasses, vinegar, minced onion, a few spices and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

The special ingredient that really gives this sauce its smokey, spicy depth is the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. These typically come in a 7 oz. can, found in the International foods section of your local grocery store.

What does chipotle BBQ sauce taste like?

It is slightly sweet, tangy and takes on the smoky flavor from the chipotle peppers. It’s the perfect flavor balance for chicken, ribs, chops and even burgers!

Is chipotle sauce spicy?

It can be if you add several chipotle peppers to the sauce. The other ingredients will balance out the spice of the peppers, but don’t go overboard with the peppers – no more than three.

How do you make a spicy bbq sauce from scratch?

Before I simmer the sauce, I puree all of the ingredients in a blender (or food processor). I do this not only to puree the peppers and onions, but to also get all of the flavors to come together as they cook.

From the blender, I then immediately poor the sauce into a small saucepan and slowly simmer over low heat for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll have the most amazing barbecue sauce, that’s way better than anything that comes in a bottle!

This Smokey Chipotle Barbecue Sauce is the perfect condiment for my BBQ Bacon Burgers.Give it a try on a full rack of ribs, barbecued chicken, pork loin or bone-in pork chops. I also have a delicious Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce that’s fantastic on my Honey Bourbon BBQ Pork Chops!

If bourbon isn’t your thing then this Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe is amazing as well! My Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is a great option for grilled chicken and pork.

Is grilling your thing? Check out some of my favorite recipes from the grill:

  • BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
  • Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
  • Aloha Burger
  • Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
  • Italian Grilled Chicken
  • BBQ Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

Could you use some side dish ideas for your next cookout? These are some of my favorites:

  • Classic Macaroni Salad
  • Best Ever Potato Salad
  • Italian Tortellini Salad
  • Bacon Lovers Baked Beans
  • Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Italian Tortellini Salad
  • Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
  • Parmesan Ranch Steak Fries

Here’s the delicious recipe for my Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce {The BEST Smoky BBQ Sauce recipe!} (6)

Smokey Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

The perfect recipe for smokey, spicy & sweet barbecue sauce! Fantastic for burgers, chicken, pork chops and ribs, this simple BBQ sauce will be your new go-to recipe for grilling season!

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can, tomato sauce
  • 1/4 c. molasses
  • 1/4 c. white vinegar
  • 1/4 c. water
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (from can)
  • 2 Tbsp. dry, minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions

  1. In a blender or food processor, add all of the ingredients. Puree for 30-60 seconds. If there are still chunks of pepper, puree for 30 additional seconds. Pour puree into a small saucepan.
  2. Over medium low heat, bring sauce to a low simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
  3. Refrigerate sauce in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Notes

For a less spicy sauce, reduce chipotle peppers to 1, and add and additional 2 Tbsp of molasses to the sauce.
More more spicy-smokey heat, increase the peppers to 3-4. Made sure to puree well.

Yield: about 2 cups of sauce

I hope you’re able to enjoy a great season of grilled burgers, chops, ribs, and chicken with this fantastic go-to barbecue sauce. This sauce will make your burgers the hit of the neighborhood cookout! Enjoy! ~Erin

You Might Also Like These Recipes

  • Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • BBQ Chicken Skewers
  • Honey Bourbon BBQ Pork Chops
  • Bacon Lovers Baked Beans
  • Sweet and Spicy Chipotle BBQ Ribs
  • Smokey Chipotle Dipping Sauce
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce {The BEST Smoky BBQ Sauce recipe!} (2024)

FAQs

What is smoky barbecue sauce made of? ›

Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Tomato Puree, Brown Sugar, Water, Honey, SOY Sauce (Water, Salt, Colour: Plain Caramel; Sugar, SOYA BEAN, WHEAT Flour), Thickener: Modified Maize Starch; Smoke Flavouring, Preservative: Potassium Sorbate; MUSTARD Flour, Spices.

What does chipotle barbecue sauce taste like? ›

Equal parts sweet, smoky, and spicy. It's rich, all natural, and free of corn syrup, which puts it in a whole different league. Great for grilling chicken, pork, or other types of poultry to add a sweet, smoky finish.

How to make barbecue sauce Bobby Flay? ›

Bobby Flay's BBQ Sauce
  1. 2 tablespoon vegetable oil.
  2. 1 small, sweet onion (peeled and chopped)
  3. 3 clove garlic (peeled and chopped)
  4. 1 cup ketchup (there are plenty of brands without high fructose corn syrup or preservatives, Hunt's is one)
  5. ⅓ cup cold water.
  6. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
  7. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar.
Aug 21, 2017

How do you make BBQ smoky flavor? ›

Simply take your wood chips or wood pellets and place them in a smoker box or tube designed to sit right on the grill grates, or fold up a DIY smoking pouch from aluminum foil to hold the wood chips. There's no need to soak the chips or pellets; just get them over the heat and let the smoking commence.

What makes BBQ smoky? ›

Burning wood breaks down molecules called lignans, and these turn into smaller organic molecules – including syringol and guaiacol – that are mainly responsible for the quintessential smoky flavor.

What makes BBQ sauce taste better? ›

Add a few glugs of Frank's RedHot or Louisiana-style Crystal. Or any other spicy condiment, really: swirl in some sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. Play with the smoky notes found in a can of adobo sauce, or the citrus flavors in Cuban mojo. Another source of smoky flavor: smoked paprika.

Why is Chinese BBQ sauce different? ›

Unlike American-style barbecue sauces, traditional Chinese barbecue sauce doesn't contain tomatoes. Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, black bean paste, and Chinese five-spice powder are what bring the flavor.

How to make caramelized BBQ sauce? ›

For instance, glucose and sucrose start caramelizing at 320 degrees Fahrenheit, while fructose begins at 230 degrees Fahrenheit. You can help prevent the sugar in your sauce from burning by heating it slowly, ensuring even heat distribution. If you heat it too quickly, you might create hotspots, leading to burning.

How to make homemade BBQ sauce thick? ›

Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

How do restaurants get smoky flavor? ›

Liquid Smoke

Liquid smoke is a naturally occurring substance made from real smoke. By burning wood pellets and condensing the smoke, manufacturers capture it as a liquid. Once it has been distilled and filtered, liquid smoke is one of the simplest ways to add pure smoke flavor to your foods.

What is smokey BBQ seasoning? ›

Sea Salt, Sweet & Smoked Paprika, Garlic, Parsley, Amchur (green mango powder), Cane Sugar, Cinnamon, Cumin, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cayenne.

What are the three types of BBQ sauce? ›

Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

Do BBQ restaurants use liquid smoke? ›

But frankly, a smoker means lots of work (continually feeding it with wood chips, for instance) and a lot of restaurants take a shortcut with liquid smoke. While it doesn't impart the same texture as a smoker, it does at least sort of mimic the flavor of a real smoker.

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