This bourbon BBQ sauce is cooked in one pot on the stovetop in just 20 minutes, making it a quick and flavorful addition to any Southern meal. Featuring Kentucky bourbon, hints of sweetness from brown sugar and honey, tanginess from apple cider vinegar, and a blend of simple spices. It's a versatile sauce perfect on grilled chicken, baked salmon, or even deviled eggs-basically, anything you love to enjoy BBQ on! Yields 12 ounces.

a shallow bowl of bbq sauce with a spoon in it.

Southerners and their love of BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce is a BIG topic of discussion in the South. Certain parts make it a certain way and their way is the right way, so on and so forth. And while Kentucky isn't really known for its BBQ like it is its fried chicken or hot browns - throwing a little Kentucky bourbon in some BBQ sauce sure doesn't make anyone mad!

This recipe is so simple to make ... literally put everything into a pot. Simmer on the stove until it's reduced slightly and becomes thick. Slather it on grilled chicken or salmon, use it as a dipping sauce for crunchy baked chicken tenders , or my favorite recently ... drizzled on top of southern deviled eggs!

Seriously so yum! Let me show you how you can add a touch of Kentucky charm to your BBQ sauce at home!

Welcome to my Kitchen

A pot in the stove with bottles of vinegar, ketchup, and honey on top of the stove. — Gather all the ingredients needed and a medium size pot.

Stirring BBQ sauce in a pot on the stove. — Put everything into the pot and bring to a simmer on medium heat.

Whisking together bbq sauce that is cooking on the stove. — Once at a simmer, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for about 20 minutes. Whisk every couple of minutes. Cook until it's reduced slightly and has become thick.

Spooning out BBQ sauce in a mason jar on a plate.

Pour immediately into a mason jar. You can use it right away if you would like, or let it sit on the counter to come to room temp, then seal and store it in the fridge for up to a month - using as needed and desired.

Simple as that! Enjoy y'all!

⭐️Pro Tip ⭐️ - it doesn't matter what bourbon you use. Use whatever you have at home that you like to drink. We have a wide variety at home and I have used several different kinds while recipe testing this. Just make sure it's Kentucky Bourbon 😉

Recipe