Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Smoky, spicy, and irresistibly bold, this Chipotle Barbecue Sauce is the ultimate blend of sweet heat and tangy perfection. Made with ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar as its base, this homemade barbecue sauce takes a flavorful leap with the addition of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, smoked paprika, and a touch of cumin. The combination of honey and brown sugar balances the chipotle’s smoky kick, while Worcestershire sauce and a medley of spices add depth and complexity. Ready in just 20 minutes, this versatile sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats, dipping crispy fries, or brushing over roasted vegetables. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or spicing up a weekday dinner, this quick and easy recipe is guaranteed to become your go-to for bold, zesty barbecue flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and honey.

Step 2

Finely chop the chipotle peppers or blend them into a paste. Add the chopped peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin to the saucepan.

Step 3

Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and water until all the ingredients are fully combined.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, sugar, or chipotle for extra spice.

Step 7

Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

Step 8

For an extra-smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth.

Step 9

Once cooled, transfer the sauce to a jar or an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(511.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	570.1

Total Fat 2.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2807.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 142.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g	0%
Total Sugars 116.0g
Protein 2.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 105.2mg	0%
Iron 3.5mg	0%
Potassium 496.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.3%

Protein: 1.9%

Carbs: 94.8%