Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe

This sticky smoky Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe is made with fresh blackberries, chipotle peppers, and brown sugar, and ready in 25 minutes. The dark berries burst and simmer down into a thick, glossy glaze that coats the back of a spoon. I make a batch of this every summer to brush on grilled chicken.

What I Learned Making This

When I first started making fruit-based barbecue sauces, my biggest mistake was not straining out the seeds. Blackberry seeds can add a gritty texture that ruins a smooth glaze.

Now, I always push the simmered sauce through a fine-mesh sieve before using it. The extra five minutes of effort results in a perfectly smooth, professional-looking sauce.

Jump to Recipe

Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

How To Make Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe

1. Combine The Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh blackberries, ketchup, chopped chipotles, adobo sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
2. Bring To A Simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
3. Mash The Berries: Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low and use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to crush the blackberries.
4. Thicken The Sauce: Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until it thickens and looks glossy.
5. Strain The Mixture: Remove the pan from the heat and push the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the blackberry seeds.

Recipe Tips

• Adjust the heat: Chipotles vary in spice level, so start with one pepper if you prefer a milder sauce and add more later.
• Use frozen berries: If fresh blackberries are out of season, frozen berries work perfectly and do not need to be thawed first.
• Do not skip straining: Pushing the sauce through a sieve removes the tough seeds and guarantees a silky texture.

What To Serve With Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

This sweet and spicy sauce pairs exceptionally well with grilled pork tenderloin or chicken thighs. You can also brush it over a rack of ribs during the last twenty minutes of smoking for a sticky glaze.

How To Store

Allow the barbecue sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight glass jar. Store it in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

FAQs

• Can I use a blender instead of straining? You can blend the sauce to make it smooth, but blending will not completely break down blackberry seeds. Straining is still recommended for the best texture.
• Is this sauce very spicy? The heat level is moderate due to the two chipotle peppers. The sweetness of the blackberries and brown sugar helps balance the spice nicely.
• Can I use this as a marinade? This sauce contains sugar and will burn quickly over direct flames. It is best used as a finishing glaze or a dipping sauce.

Nutrition

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 11g
• Protein: 0g