Coffee Barbecue Sauce

Infuse your barbecue with bold, smoky flavor by whipping up this irresistible Coffee Barbecue Sauce—a savory-sweet blend that will elevate any grilled dish. This unique recipe combines brewed coffee's deep, robust notes with the tangy sweetness of ketchup, brown sugar, and molasses, balanced perfectly with apple cider vinegar and a medley of spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. With just five minutes of prep and a quick simmer, this homemade sauce thickens beautifully, making it ideal for glazing ribs, slathering on burgers, or serving as a dipping sauce. Easy to make and packed with rich, complex flavors, this Coffee Barbecue Sauce is the ultimate companion for grilling season and beyond!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the brewed coffee, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and molasses. Stir well to mix.

Step 2

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 3

Add the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to incorporate the spices evenly.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly.

Step 6

Transfer the sauce to a jar or airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Step 7

Use the Coffee Barbecue Sauce as a glaze for meats, a dipping sauce, or a flavorful addition to sandwiches and burgers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(646.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	530.7

Total Fat 0.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2439.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g	0%
Total Sugars 109.4g
Protein 1.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 173.3mg	0%
Iron 5.1mg	0%
Potassium 1057.9mg	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: 1.3%

Protein: 1.2%

Carbs: 97.4%