This blueberry bbq sauce recipe is going to be your new favorite BBQ sauce. It's perfect for grilling season and pairs well with grilled pork tenderloin, pork chops, ribs, chicken breast, thighs, or chicken wings.
This recipe was originally posted in 2019, it's been updated for content and photos.
Homemade BBQ sauce is much tastier than any bbq sauce you can buy in the grocery stores, and the delicious fresh blueberries are a perfect addition to add natural sweetness.
Slather homemade blueberry 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
Ingredients
- organic ketchup
- blueberries
- apple cider vinegar
- fresh garlic
- maple syrup
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- wooden spoon
- immersion blender, regular blender or a food processor( helps to make the sauce smooth)
How To Make blueberry barbecue sauce
Prepare the ingredients: rinse and dry the blueberries, chop the garlic and measure the ketchup, vinegar, and syrup.
Step 1. Place the ingredients into a saucepan
Place all of the ingredients into a saucepan and mix everything together. Set the heat to medium-high.
Step 2. Simmer the Sauce
Cook the sauce over medium-high for a few minutes until it begins to bubble. Reduce the heat to low heat and cook the bbq sauce for 30 to 35 minutes.
Step 3. Adjust the Sauce
This delicious sauce will be ready once the blueberries turn soft, but the sauce will be chunky. If you like a smooth consistency, use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the sauce.
Tip! The sauce will be chunky from the blueberries. Use an immersion blender or blender to thin the sauce out.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
The full list of ingredients to make this blueberry barbecue sauce recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients along with ideas for substitutes.
Blueberries - Fresh or frozen blueberries will work in this recipe. If you use frozen, thaw them out and drain them before adding them to the sauce.
Ketchup - Any ketchup can be used in this recipe, I prefer unsweetened ketchup, but it's your choice.
Thick tomato puree - can be substituted for ketchup in this recipe.
Apple Cider Vinegar - can be replaced with white vinegar or balsamic vinegar 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 mason jar or in an airtight container for up to five days.
Start grillings with high-quality and humanely raised meat from ButcherBox!
Recipe Variations
Change up the fruit - Instead of blueberries, use 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries, blackberries, or a combination of fresh berries.
Make it spicy - Add a tablespoon of chipotle chile powder, and chopped chili papers, jalapeno peppers or red pepper flakes.
Burbon Blueberry BBQ Sauce - Add a quarter cup of bourbon to the saucepan when cooking the sauce.
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Questions & Tips
Yes, you can freeze leftover blueberry bbq sauce. Place room temperature bbq sauce into an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
To prevent over-charring, brush the sauce on a few minutes before serving.
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Click on serving size to scale this recipe
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 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Check out more of our homemade sauce recipes here!
Tessa Simpson says
What a super fun way to to use some of my blueberry bounty!! SO good!
Joni Gomes says
This seems to be really easy to make! I am excited to add this to my 4th of July BBQ spread!
anne says
Enjoy!
Jean says
Such a unique but delicious bbq sauce! I love how simple and easy it is too.
anne says
Thank you!
jennifer says
my mouth is WATERING .. I love blueberries and rarely think to do them in savory!
anne says
I love serving fruit in savory dishes.
paleoglutenfreeguy says
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.
anne says
Thank you!
chihyu says
What a beautiful sauce! So easy to make and delicious! Perfect for summer BBQ.
STACEY CRAWFORD says
OMG, this looks so good! I love the idea of blueberries adding fruity touch of sweetness to bbq sauce. Those ribs 🙂
Dave says
Can I add chipotle peppers to the sauce?
Anne says
Hi Dave! Yes you can add one or two chopped chipotle peppers to the sauce.
Shat from N. California says
Hello, so glad I found this recipe. You see my small local business bbq joint sold his version of blueberry sauce for his pork spareribs. It was delicious. Now he has retired and doesn’t bottle anymore. I can’t wait to make this but, can I use 1 tbsp corn syrup in place of 1 tbsp maple syrup
Anne says
Yes, you can replace maple syrup with corn syrup or any liquid sweetener.
Lauren says
Tried this recipe. Way way too much vinegar. Maple syrup did not cut through the vinegar I had to put about 2 -3 tablespoons of honey. Then a 1/2 tsp salt.
Anne says
Hi Lauren! It sounds like you were looking for a sweeter sauce, I'm glad it worked out adding extra honey!