Honey Hibiscus Barbecue Sauce

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American, Fusion, Soul Food

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 18

Total Time: 48

Servings: servings

Calories: 8kcal

Author: Jazzmine Woodard

Homemade barbecue sauce with sweet, tangy, smoky, and subtle spicy flavor made with simple pantry ingredients

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Equipment

1 saucepan
1 kitchen spoon

Ingredients

¾ cup dried hibiscus or hibiscus tea bags
1 cup water boiling
¾ cup tomato paste or ketchup or tomato sauce
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Instructions

Steep hibiscus in boiling water for about 30 minutes. The resulting liquid will be deep purple in color.
Add tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, ginger, and liquid smoke, to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until uniform.
Stir in hibiscus tea with petals. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Remove hibiscus petals with a slotted spoon or strainer. Taste sauce and add sea salt and black pepper to your preference.
Use sauce to marinate, baste, or garnish grilled foods. See notes for storage information.

Notes

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last? Fresh barbecue sauce keeps for about two weeks. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I freeze it? Yes. Transfer the sauce into a freezer-safe, airtight container, leaving at least one inch of space at the top before sealing. Freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight before use.

What if the sauce is too thin? Combine equal parts cornstarch and water in a separate container and mix vigorously to fully dissolve the cornstarch and create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce until fully incorporated. Start with half a tablespoon of each ingredient and repeat the process if necessary, rather than adding too much at once.

Nutrition