Sweet Heat Bourbon BBQ Sauce - Small Batch Canning and Grilling Time Condiment

Bragging rights... When you are "That Guy" (or gal), making your own BBQ sauce is important in order to be "That Guy" or gal.  There are hundreds of sauces marketed.  Many are fantastic labors of love from real BBQ guys.  You know, the pros or the restaurant owners who bottle their "secret blend" of spices and ingredients.  Like I said, many are fantastic.  Most of those fantastic ones are also among the more expensive bottles.

You can make your own, just as good... in fact better to you since you are able to tweak ingredients, adding and subtracting what you like and prefer in YOUR sauce.  This particular sauce has several things I like...

• It uses easy to find and mix ingredients.  The base for the sauce is 2 cups of ketchup.  How easy is that?
• It uses BOURBON!  Fun to just say that this is a Bourbon BBQ sauce.  Everyone wants to try this!  In fact, the alcohol does burn off during cooking.  But the Earthy richness of the Kentucky Bourbon (and if it ain't from Kentucky, it ain't Bourbon), that Earthiness stays in the sauce.
• The deep rich color comes from Worcestershire Sauce.  Flavoring agent but also gives that eye appeal.
• In addition to the Bourbon and Worcestershire, the sauce is flavored with a Jerk Spice mix.  Enough Jerk spices to add an Island flair, and enough heat to challenge any of those premium special blend, (expensive) sauces in taste.  I would take this sauce and challenge head to head with any of them, it is that good.
• The sauce is balanced, heat from the Jerk Spice but also has sweet from a cup of Brown sugar (in addition to the sugars already in the ketchup).  This is not one of those painful over heated HOT Sauces.  this has enough heat to be flavorful but is nicely balanced with sweet.  
• The recipe makes Five 8 Oz Jars of sauce.  By doing a refrigerator canning method, the sauce is poured into the sterilized jars boiling hot.  As it cools it self seals the jars, making this safe to store in the refrigerator for months.  Once a jar isopen, it will stay safe to eat for a couple of weeks.  Love the little jars!
• And finally... EASY.  Really really easy!  Simply mix, simmer and can.  Cooking time, 30 minutes... prep time (mostly sterilizing the jars) 5-10 minutes and you are done.  So, hands on work, 10 minutes and an occasional stir while simmering and you have a premium quality BRAGGING RIGHTS worthy Fresh made BBQ sauce.

And did I mention... REALLY REALLY GOOD!

OK... Here's what I did...

Sweet/Heat
Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 TBS Butter
• 2 Cups Ketchup
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Good Kentucky BOURBON
• 1/4 Cup Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 TBS Jerk Spice mix (store bought mix is easy to find and fine)
• 1 TBS Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin Powder

Cooking Directions

1. In a medium heavy bottomed Sauce pan, melt the butter
2. Add the ketchup and brown sugar and stir to mix
3. Add all remaining ingredients, stir well to mix completely.
4. Heat to low simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Cool overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Will last for up to 6 months sealed in the refrigerator or for 2 weeks once opened.
6. Serve with any BBQ and ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my very favorite Growing list of  "52 Small Batch Canning Ideas"!!!

I love Canning! Love the idea of it, Love having my own Jellies, Pickled produce, Sauces, Chutneys... All those pint, half pint, 4 Ounce jars,,, Even big quart jars of Spaghetti Sauce Lined up in my basement storage shelves.  Small batch means I can usually finish a project in no more than an hour of hands on work and usually less.  Easy DIY Projects that last a month or more... Great ideas for first time canners!

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I am also pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Grilling Time Secret Extras" or "52 Ways to Cook BBQ and Grilling Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons.  Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

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