APL BBQ Sauce

APL BBQ Sauce

from Serious Barbecue

  • 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 1 medium sweet white onion coarsely chopped

  • 1 green bell pepper coarsely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional as needed

  • 1/4 cup bourbon

  • 3 tablespoons chile powder

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely ground fresh black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, plus additional for seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, plus additional for seasoning

  • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

  • 2 cups water

  • 2 cups ketchup

  • 1/2 cup unsulfured blackstrap molasses

  • 1/2 cup prepared yellow mustard

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, plus additional as needed

  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce

  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves

  • 1 jalapeno chili, grated on a Microplane grater, stopping before the seeds

  • 1/2 Granny Smith apple, grated on a Microplane grater

  1. Pour the oil in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until it starts to shimmer. Stir in garlic, onion, bell pepper and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.

  2. Pour in the bourbon and cook until the alcohol has cooked off, about 5 minutes. There will no longer be the strong smell of alcohol.

  3. Combine the chili powder, black pepper, allspice and cloves and add to the pan. Cook, stirring continuously, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.

  4. Stir in the brown sugar, water, ketchup, molasses, mustard, vinegar, hot sauce and preserves. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to be sure nothing sticks to the bottom and burns. Reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 45 minutes.

  5. Add the jalapeño and apple. At this point the sauce can be left chunky or blended in a blender (blend in small batches since it will be hot), or in a bowl using an immersion/stick blender until smooth.

  6. Season to taste with additional allspice, cloves, salt and vinegar to taste.