Blueberry BBQ sauce is going to be your favorite new favorite BBQ sauce. It’s naturally sweet with a slight tang. It pairs well with grilled pork, especially ribs or chicken.
Homemade BBQ sauce is much tastier than most store-bought bottled sauces, and since the blueberries add natural sweetness, there is less very little added sugar in this recipe.
This recipe was originally posted in 2019, it’s been updated for content and photos.
Slather homemade blueberry BBQ sauce on grilled ribs, or chicken thighs and serve them with a side of homemade coleslaw for a delicious BBQ dinner.
Why this Recipe Works
- It’s easy to make with very little hands-on time.
- It’s healthy; naturally sweet and blueberries have numerous health benefits.
Here is What You Will Need
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This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down to see ingredient notes and substitutions as well as a printable recipe card with exact measurements and complete cooking instructions.
Here is What You Will Need
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down to see ingredient notes and substitutions as well as a printable recipe card with exact measurements and complete cooking instructions.
Ingredients
organic ketchup
blueberries
apple cider vinegar
fresh garlic
maple syrup
Equipment
Here is How To Make Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Step 1. Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan.
Step 2. Mix all of the ingredients together and cook them on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes.
Step 3. The sauce will be ready once the blueberries are soft. Adjust the flavor of the sauce with a little bit of salt and sweetener if you prefer sweet.
Tip! The sauce will be chunky from the blueberries. Use an immersion blender or blender to thin the sauce out.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Blueberries. Fresh or frozen blueberries will work in this recipe. If you use frozen, thaw them out before cooking them with the ketchup and vinegar.
Ketchup. Any kind of ketchup can be used in this recipe, I prefer unsweetened ketchup, but it’s your choice.
Apple Cider Vinegar can be replaced with white vinegar or balsamic for a sweeter-tasting blueberry barbecue sauce.
Maple Syrup can be replaced with an equal amount of honey or brown rice syrup.
How to Store Blueberry Barbecue Sauce
Store blueberry BBQ sauce in the refrigerator in a jar or a glass food storage container for up to five days. I like to use these small mason jars.
Freezing is not recommended since we have not tried freezing it.
Recipe Variations
Change up the fruit Instead of blueberries, use 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries or blackberries.
Make it spicy and add a tablespoon of chipotle chile powder, chopped chili pepper.
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Blueberry Barbecue Sauce
Blueberry BBQ sauce is going to be your favorite new favorite BBQ sauce. It’s naturally sweet with a slight tang. It pairs well with grilled pork, especially ribs or chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (you can adjust this to your taste)
- 1 clove fresh garlic, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: measure the ketchup and vinegar, crush the garlic, rinse the blueberries or if you are using frozen, rinse them off and let them thaw out in a bowl.
- Add the ketchup, blueberries, vinegar, crushed garlic and chili powder to a saucepan and cook on low heat stirring occasionally until the blueberries become very soft - about 30 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and check the taste for sweetness and adjust the flavors.
- For a smooth sauce, place sauce into a blender, food processor or use an immersion blender.
Notes
If you prefer a thinner bbq sauce, use an immersion blender or a blender after the cooking the sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: ⅛ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 37Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 138mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information is provided by an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
What a super fun way to to use some of my blueberry bounty!! SO good!
This seems to be really easy to make! I am excited to add this to my 4th of July BBQ spread!
Enjoy!
Such a unique but delicious bbq sauce! I love how simple and easy it is too.
Thank you!
my mouth is WATERING .. I love blueberries and rarely think to do them in savory!
I love serving fruit in savory dishes.
I knew right away from the title I would like this and the recipe does not disappoint! So simple and easy yet such a great balance of sweet, savory and a little spice from the chipotle powder.
Thank you!
What a beautiful sauce! So easy to make and delicious! Perfect for summer BBQ.
OMG, this looks so good! I love the idea of blueberries adding fruity touch of sweetness to bbq sauce. Those ribs 🙂