Lee Lee's Famous Barbecue Sauce for Ribs W Preserves

Transform your next rib cookout into a flavor sensation with Lee Lee's Famous Barbecue Sauce for Ribs with Preserves—a luscious, homemade blend that strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and smoky. This irresistible sauce comes alive with a base of ketchup and apple cider vinegar, enriched by layers of brown sugar, honey, and a surprising twist of fruit preserves like apricot or peach for an extra burst of sweetness. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of soy sauce elevate the flavor profile, making it perfect for slathering over ribs during the final minutes of grilling or baking. Easy to make in just 30 minutes, this versatile sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any barbecue gathering and pairs effortlessly with all your favorite sides. Trust us—once you've tried this tangy, sticky masterpiece, you’ll never go back to store-bought barbecue sauce again!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
• 0.25 cup (packed) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup fruit preserves (apricot or peach work best)
• 0.25 cup water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and water. Stir well to combine.

Step 2

Add the brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and soy sauce to the saucepan. Mix thoroughly.

Step 3

Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Ensure all the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 4

Add the fruit preserves to the mixture, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or whisk as you stir.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if desired—add more vinegar for tanginess, more sugar for sweetness, or additional spices for heat.

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the barbecue sauce cool slightly before using.

Step 9

Brush the sauce generously over ribs during the last 10–15 minutes of grilling or baking, reserving some for serving on the side.

Step 10

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(662.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	853.4

Total Fat 1.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1621.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 216.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.3g	0%
Total Sugars 174.0g
Protein 2.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 108.0mg	0%
Iron 3.5mg	0%
Potassium 572.1mg	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: 1.0%

Protein: 1.1%

Carbs: 97.8%