And here's to another recipe for the upcoming grilling season: Sweet and spicy maple bbq sauce. Aaah, I can almost hear the call of the grill. Summer is just a few weeks away. It can't get here fast enough, because I've come up with this awesome bbq sauce that combines two of my favorite flavor profiles, sweet and spicy.
Balancing Sweet and Spicy
The maple syrup comes from the farm of an old co-worker: Wendy. Little Creek Maple Farm is located in Bedford, New Hampshire. I used to work with Wendy many moons ago. Our cubicles were close by. Being in the same department we collaborated on projects often, shared lunches and talked about multiple things. Eventually she took another job, I had a second child and we each went our separate ways. Recently, through the connective power of the internet we reestablished contact.
It is so awesome to collaborate with her again, by using and promoting her delicious maple syrup to make my sweet and spicy maple bbq sauce. This maple syrup is so delicious. I've been having it on waffles, and let me tell you, it is to die for!
I love bbq sauces, especially the ones that have a hint of spicy and sweet, so this sweet and spicy maple bbq sauce is right up my alley. Word of warning: this is not a super thick bbq like the ones that from the store, so just be careful when basting it on your favorite meat. It's great on shrimp, salmon, and pork chops too. Tonight I am enjoying this delicious sweet and spicy bbq sauce on baby back ribs. Yum, I can smell them already. Sorry, I need to run, there's a slab of ribs on the grill that need my immediate attention. Until next time!
BTW... you can store this sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Love to grill? We do, too. Check out our other grilling recipes from Ethnic Spoon
Korean BBQ Pork Chops - A blend of sweet and spicy with the tangy punch of green onion and Korean red pepper. You don't want to miss this one.
Coffee Jerk Pork Chops - Coffee adds an incredible depth of flavor plus grilling. Your tastebuds will be wow-ed.
Sweet and Spicy Peach Bourbon Ribs - Sweet peaches and spicy bourbon are the stars of this marinade and ribs recipe that will have you licking your fingers!
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Sweet and Spicy Maple BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ onion medium sized, diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp ginger ground
- ¼ tsp thyme
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cup apple juice
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp hot sauce Texas Pete hot sauce works nicely
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan on medium heat vegetable oil. Saute onions and garlic until translucent. Sprinkle ginger, thyme and salt. Pour in apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup. Mix in tomato paste, hot sauce, brown sugar and Worcestershire. Stir until well blended.
- Using an immersion blender break up as much of the solids as possible. Allow it to come to a boil for about 2 minutes.
- Turn heat down and cook uncovered for about 35 minutes.
Nutrition
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
I'm constantly experimenting with BBQ sauce in the summer time! We have a smoker, and my husband makes smoked ribs all summer long...the ribs are good without sauce, but I'm a sauce girl, so I prefer that extra burst of flavor. I always have it on hand for our guests. I'll definitely try yours!
Analida
Thanks Michelle. I also prefer ribs with sauce! 🙂
Wendy
Can't thank you enough, Analida. Although maple season is over we still have a few bottles of this years maple syrup available. Get the last of this years maple syrup before its gone or you will have to wait until next spring. LIttle Creek Maple Farm.... Small scale micro sugaring at its finest!
Analida
You are very welcome!! It was great working with a great tasting product.
Jacquie Robichaud
Hi, I would really like to can this for my own use. How can I do that? I live in Canada in a small mostly rural area.
Analida
Great question! I would use the hot pack technique where you would boil for 2-5 minutes and then pack into jars and lids that have been boiled & sterilized.
Emily
My mouth is watering right now! This sauce sounds so good, and perfect for grilling season. Thanks for sharing with Merry Monday!
Analida
You are welcome Emily! 🙂 We just had some on chicken tonight.
Renee
Sounds like a delicious sauce! And so perfect on ribs or chicken!
Analida
Yes, Renee, it works well on both.
laura@motherwouldknow
I love barbecue sauce and this one looks fabulous!! I can't imagine summer without slathering barbecue sauce on so many different grilled meats, fish filets and even vegetables.
Analida
Thanks Laura! Yes, that is half the fun of summer, barbecue sauce! 🙂
Wendy Carpenter
This barbeque sauce is a favorite for my family, even my picky eater gobbles it down. I love that this recipe is a surprise when you make it, it's like magic... you start with a thin consistency and through the magic of pure maple syrup it thickens to make the perfect barbeque sauce for maple syrup lovers. Spicy sweet perfection in 20 minutes.
Analida
Hi Wendy! I am so happy you like this bbq sauce, and that your children love it too. 🙂
John Kintz
If I made a big batch can I can it in 1/2 pt or pt jars to last all winter ?
Analida
Hi John,
Yes, you can preserve this as you would any other type of sauce or salsa in a canner. Enjoy!