Apricot Barbecue Sauce
This Apricot Barbecue Sauce is a lightly sweetened, brighter, more fruit-forward homemade BBQ sauce made with apricot preserves, pantry spices, and a touch of heat for balance.
Sometimes I like a lighter, less heavy-tasting barbecue sauce (especially when I’m grilling chicken); that’s why I love this fruitier version. The apricot preserves create a natural sweetness while the apple cider vinegar, and spices take a cue from traditional barbecue flavors but without all the richness.
This recipe has been kitchen-tested to ensure consistent, reliable results.
Good To Know
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Makes about 2 cups
Delicious on grilled salmon, chicken and other white meat.
Equipment Needed: Small saucepan and heat proof jar with tight fitting lid
Flavor Profile: Subtle fruit flavor, slightly sweet and tart tasting
Why You’ll Love This Apricot Barbecue Sauce
- Ready in minutes: This quick homemade BBQ sauce comes together in minutes using simple pantry ingredients
- More versatile than traditional BBQ sauce: Brush it on grilled chicken or wings, use it on pork, or salmon or serve it as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets or spring rolls.
- Stores well: Make a batch ahead of time and have a flavorful homemade sauce ready whenever you fire up the grill.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Refer to the printable recipe card below for ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the sauce a silky mouthfeel
- Apricot Jam or Preserves: Depending on how sweet the jam is, you may need to adjust the amount of honey to taste.
- Honey: Enhances sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a tart element. Apple cider vinegar is preferred as it adds an underlying fruitiness to the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami, a subtle saltiness.
- Garlic Powder: Only a small amount is needed, so as not to overpower the fruit.
- Smoked Paprika: Gives the apricot barbeque sauce a subtle smoky flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat. If you prefer a spicy sauce increase to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Bourbon: Optional addition to give the sauce depth, if not using, increase with an equal amount of water.
How To Make Apricot Barbecue Sauce
Refer to the printable recipe card below for ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.
1. Combine the apricot jam, butter, tomato paste and honey.
2. Add the vinegar, soy sauce and seasonings.
3. Whisk in the bourbon (if using) and water.
4. Simmer until the sauce is smooth and bubbling
5. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
Substitutions & Variations
- Try different fruit preserves: Cherry jam creates a rich cherry barbecue sauce with a slightly tart component. This pairs especially well with richer cuts of meats like rib eye, braised short ribs or duck, while blueberry jam, makes a more mild blueberry barbecue sauce. The subtle blueberry flavor works well with grilled pork or chicken breast.
- Change the texture: Instead of a thick apricot bbq sauce, create a thin glaze for lacquer coated chicken breasts, for example by omitting the tomato paste and increasing the honey and water by 1 tablespoon.
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Why Apricot Jam Works in BBQ Sauce
Apricot preserves are the secret to this quick and flavorful sauce. Because the apricots have already been cooked down and concentrated, they provide sweetness, body, and fruit flavor all in one ingredient without the extra work of roasting fresh apricots.
The added spices, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar and tomato paste take this from a sweet sauce into a savory and slightly sweet BBQ sauce that is delicious and very versatile.
Expert Tips
- Simmer gently to prevent the sugars from scorching, stirring frequently.
- While simmering you may need to add more water to thin the sauce out to your liking. Only add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you have reached the desired consistency
- Make sure to let the mixture simmer the full 10 minutes to boil off the bourbon. You want a deep flavored sauce, not one that tastes like alcohol.
Recipe Testing Notes (What Worked Best)
When I first tested this recipe, I added too much garlic powder and it overpowered the delicate flavors of this fruity bbq sauce.
Initially, I didn’t allow the sauce to simmer down fully, and this resulted in a sauce that had a strong alcohol flavor. Giving it the full 10 minutes and to allow the alcohol to boil down, made a huge difference in a deeper flavored barbecue sauce without the trace of alcohol.
Make Ahead and Storage Info
Make Ahead: This apricot bbq sauce is a great make-ahead recipe. In fact, the flavors continue to meld and develop more taste the day after it’s made.
Refrigerator: Store cooled sauce in an airtight container or glass jar for up to 1 month.
Freezer: This apricot bbq sauce recipe can be doubled and extra jars can be frozen for up to 3 months. When filling the glass jar, allow for room at the top for expansion.
To Reheat: Warm thawed out sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in short intervals in the microwave oven.
Apricot Barbecue Sauce FAQs
Absolutely. The bourbon adds depth and subtle oak notes but the sauce is still flavorful without it. Simply replace the same amount of water for the bourbon and continue to prepare the recipe as written.
Since this is a lighter more fruit forward barbecue sauce, I would brush it on grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, pork tenderloin and roasted salmon. It also works well as a glaze for meatballs, or as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders and spring rolls.
Yes. This apricot barbecue sauce freezes well for up to 3 months, stored in either an airtight container or a jar with tight fitting lid. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Delicious Starts Here
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a rating and a comment below; your feedback helps other home cooks decide if this recipe is right for them. And if you share it on Instagram, tag me @aspicedlifeblog so I can see your beautiful creations.🧡
Apricot Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 16.5-ounce (468g) jar apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons bourbon optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the apricot preserves, tomato paste, and honey. Stir until fully combined. The mixture will be thick.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, water, and bourbon (if using). Whisk until smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly. Transfer to a heatproof glass jar or airtight container.
- Use immediately or refrigerate until needed.
Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for another delicious condiment to liven up your food? Try my easy homemade hot honey!
