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    Home » Miscellaneous

    Easy Apricot Barbecue Sauce

    Published: Aug 29, 2016 · Modified: Jan 30, 2024 by Diana Reis · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Barbecue sauce enthusiasts, rejoice! If you're looking to elevate your grilling game and surprise your taste buds with a burst of sweet and tangy flavors, look no further than this Apricot Barbecue Sauce recipe. 

    spoon of barbecue sauce pouring over pork ribs

    With its irresistible blend of sweetness, tanginess, and smokiness, This homemade Apricot BBQ Sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Elevate your grilling experience, impress your guests, and savor the unique twist that apricots bring to the world of barbecue. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that combines the best of summer flavors with the timeless charm of barbecue traditions!

    Contents hide
    Make this Recipe, because…
    Ingredients
    How to Make It!
    Related Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Easy Apricot BBQ Sauce

    Make this Recipe, because…

    • This recipe combines affordable, simple ingredients to create a homemade BBQ sauce that is worthy of great barbecue.
    • Preparing this sauce is as simple as measure, mix, and stir.
    • The spice level can be adjusted from mild to spicy to suit your taste perfectly.

    Ingredients

    apricot barbecue sauce ingredients

    Apricot Preserves- I recommend looking for a jam that is sweet, but still has a strong apricot tart flavor. 

    Ketchup- Prepared Ketchup is a great base for homemade barbecue sauce. It saves a lot of time because the tomatoes are already cooked down into their sweetest form and you are just adding additional flavor and spice to your liking. 

    Honey- Using honey adds depth of flavor as well as sweetness and has the added bonus of combining easily with other liquid ingredients. You can substitute honey for equal parts brown sugar as well, but be sure to cook until the sugar is dissolved so you don't have grainy apricot sauce. 

    How to Make It!

    Step 1: Measure and Mix

    • In a small saucepan, add ketchup, water, apricot jam, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
    all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan before cooking

    If you are unsure about the spice level, hold back on the cayenne and add to taste.

    Step 2: Cooking the Base

    • On the stove, bring your sauce to a simmer using medium heat. Turn the heat down to medium low and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    apricot barbecue sauce in small sauce pan at a low simmer

    Step 3: Cool and Store

    • Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to a jar or airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing the flavors to develop even further.

    How to use Apricot Barbecue Sauce

    • Brush this versatile sauce on chicken, pork chops, or ribs during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling for a caramelized and flavorful finish.
    • Use it as a dipping sauce for grilled vegetables, chicken tenders, or skewers.
    • Mix it into shredded chicken or pulled pork for a mouthwatering sandwich filling.
    bowl of sauce next to a plate of barbecue ribs

    Related Recipes

    • Fall Off the Bone Baby Back Ribs in Oven
    • Sous Vide Baby Back Ribs
    • Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze
    • Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs With Crispy Skin
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Stay in the Know! Follow Delicious by Design on Facebook for new recipes and cooking tips! Love this recipe? Leave a 5 Star Review!

    📖 Recipe

    square featured image barbecue sauce

    Easy Apricot BBQ Sauce

    This tangy sauce features apricot sweetness and tang with a hint of heat for a great addition to any barbecue meal. 
    4.67 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Barbecue, Dinner, Main Dish
    Cuisine: American, American Classic
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 Portions
    Calories: 31kcal
    Author: Diana Reis

    Ingredients

    • 1 Cup Ketchup
    • 1 Cup Water
    • ¼ Cup Apricot Preserves
    • ¼ Cup Honey
    • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 Tablespoon Course Salt
    • 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic
    • 1 Tablespoon Granulated Onion
    • 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
    • ½ Teaspoon Cayenne
    • ½ Teaspoon Cumin
    • 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • In a small saucepan, add ketchup, water, apricot jam, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
    • On the stove, bring your sauce to a simmer using medium heat. Turn the heat down to medium low and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Notes

    Cool and Store
    • Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to a jar or airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing the flavors to develop even further.
    How to use Apricot Barbecue Sauce
    • Brush this versatile sauce on chicken, pork chops, or ribs during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling for a caramelized and flavorful finish.
    • Use it as a dipping sauce for grilled vegetables, chicken tenders, or skewers.
    • Mix it into shredded chicken or pulled pork for a mouthwatering sandwich filling.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 31kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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    Comments

      4.67 from 9 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ironthundersaloon.com says

      February 12, 2019 at 9:47 pm

      Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was helpful.
      Keep on posting!

      Reply
    2. Marie says

      May 09, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      This is my "go to" BBQ sauce! I have shared this recipe with numerous people and they all love it! I do use a good quality apricot jam since I feel it made a difference in the flavor but, that was just personal choice. When I make it, I do a double recipe since the flavor is so versatile. To anyone who hasn't tried this yet do so, you won't be disappointed.

      Reply
      • Diana Reis says

        May 10, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        I’m so glad you like it. Good call buying a high quality jam. I’m super spoiled with homemade jam and I use it on everything!

        Reply
    3. Marie says

      August 17, 2023 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce is one of the best I've had. Easy to make and, it can be changed up by using different jams in place of apricot. I've recommended this recipe to several family members and they all love it!

      Reply
      • Diana Reis says

        August 22, 2023 at 7:03 pm

        Great tips! I'm so glad you loved it!

        Reply
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    I’m passionate about the family dinner table. Connecting with each other at the end of the day over a good meal creates strong family bonds and healthy long-lasting relationships. I want to help families and friends build those relationships.

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