Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Condiments and Sauces

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 12 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 30 tablespoons

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Last updated on June 3, 2020

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This Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce is made with fresh or frozen cherries and goes perfectly with chicken or pork. Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge or freezer all summer long! Includes how to recipe video

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Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (2)

I know this seems a little ridiculous, but I think my love of fresh summer cherries really only started last summer. They’re so expensive, and they’re not that bountiful around here, so they’re something that we never had much of.

But since I started cooking and baking with (and eating!) them more and more, I’ve learned there’s really nothing like fresh cherries!

Looking for some recipe inspiration? Try this Berry Cherry Crisp (one of my all time favorites!) or this Black Forest Cake.

Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (3)

Last summer I decided to stock up on alllllll the summer fruit I could get my hands on and freeze it to enjoy all winter long. I usually do this with the strawberries I pick (hopefully from our own patch this year!), but this winter one of our freezers was ¾ full of blueberries, cherries, strawberries, saskatoons and rhubarb (i.e., the Good Stuff).

Usually what happens then is I realize in May that I haven’t even eaten half of what I’ve saved and then end up quickly trying to use it. This was the case with this Cherry BBQ Sauce!

Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (4)

The nice thing is that I’ve been testing some awesome summer recipes in the last couple months using my stockpile, and this is just the beginning. I would love to hear what your favorite ways to eat cherries are! Do you add them to baking? Savory dishes? Sauces? Smoothies?

Let me know! I’m sure to save a pile more this summer. In fact, we might need to buy another freezer 😉

Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (5)

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Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO

written by Ashley Fehr

This Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce is made with fresh or frozen cherries and goes perfectly with chicken or pork. Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge or freezer all summer long! Includes how to recipe video

Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (7)

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Sauces and Condiments

Servings 30 tablespoons

Calories 22cal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen sweet cherries pitted
  • 2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch red chili flakes ¼ tsp if you like it spicy!
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, combine cherries, ⅔ cup water, brown sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, salt and red pepper flakes.

  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until cherries are soft and mixture is slightly reduced.

  • With an immersion blender (or in a food processor or a regular blender if you have one that handles hot liquids — be sure to check!), puree cherries in the pot. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove remaining skins if desired.

  • Return sauce to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Combine 1 tablespoon water and corn starch. Whisk into the sauce gradually, thickening until desired consistency is reached.

  • Cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator up to 2-3 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 22cal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 32mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (8)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Laney says

    I loved this recipe! The taste was amazing and it was so easy. I didn’t need to strain the sauce or add corn starch.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Laney! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  2. Margo K says

    This was a delish BBQ sauce and just the right favors. I’m from Texas, raised in CA now live in Michigan I made this with fresh picked Michigan Cherries. Just the right spiciness.Better then any of these store bought BBQ sauces 😁❤

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Margo! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  3. Barry Sinclair says

    I tried your cherry BBQ sauce recipe because I had 6 pounds of cherry’s frankly I was not impressed with it, too much vinegar and loaded it up with rep pepper flakes and it was not hot, this is either Kansas city style of BBQ sauce or Carolina, definitely not Texas, hey I tried it but I will be looking for a cherry BBQ sauce Texas style

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Hi Barry. Thanks for your feedback! I did not claim that this was a Texas style BBQ sauce. We all have different tastes 🙂

      Reply

  4. Clyde says

    Hello I was wondering if this Cherry BBQ sauce can be frozen or canned. I love it on chicken and believe it or not grilled shrimp.

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I would probably freeze it to keep longer!

      Reply

  5. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    I’m the same as you…I do like cherries, but I didn’t really start to love them until I wanted to make some recipes for the blog. But now, I can’t get enough! And this bbq sauce is just brilliant, Ashley! I seriously love this and could probably slather this on just about everything. Such a fun summer sauce!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      It’s crazy, isn’t it?!? But in a way I’m also just so thankful that the blog has pushed me to try more things that I never would have before!

      Reply

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Easy Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce + RECIPE VIDEO (2024)

FAQs

How to make BBQ sauce taste homemade? ›

Adding garlic or onion powder are standard flavors for barbecue, but get a little creative and try out different chile powders, peppers, cumin, or dried herbs to add body to the sauce.

What are the basics of BBQ sauce? ›

Combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender. Season with mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

What is the first ingredient in BBQ sauce? ›

The base ingredients of barbecue sauce usually include tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, and sweeteners, such as molasses or brown sugar. Other common ingredients include Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion powder, and various spices, which can include paprika, cumin, and chili powder.

Is it cheaper to make or buy BBQ sauce? ›

Making BBQ sauce is a lot easier than many people think. It requires only a few ingredients most people have already in their homes and minimal cooking! I prefer to make most of my condiments homemade. That way you can control the taste and quality, and it's cheaper than buying store-bought versions.

Why do you put vinegar in BBQ sauce? ›

With a great barbecue sauce, there should be a harmonious interplay between smoky, spicy, and sweet with a dash of vinegar to balance out the flavors.

Should I add vinegar to my BBQ sauce? ›

The advantage of vinegar in sauces is that it has an additional tenderizing effect that helps make barbecue pull apart perfect. The gentle acid of vinegar tenderizes the meat during the process making it as tender as possible as well as adding that tangy flavor that is the cornerstone of Carolina barbecue.

What are the most common ingredients in BBQ sauce? ›

Ingredients vary, but most include vinegar or tomato paste (or a combination) as a base, as well as liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

Should I make my own barbecue sauce? ›

While making your own BBQ sauce isn't much less expensive than buying a bottled sauce, I love it for its deep rich flavor, the fact that I can make it on demand instead of having another half-used bottle of sauce hanging out in my fridge, and because I have control over every single ingredient that goes into it.

What are the three types of BBQ sauce? ›

Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

What is the oldest barbecue sauce? ›

Eastern Carolina-Style Vinegar Sauce

Found in the eastern half of both North and South Carolina, Eastern-style vinegar sauce has the unique honor of being the oldest barbecue sauce in the country. Given its origin in the 13 colonies, it's literally where American barbecue was born, at the hands of enslaved chefs.

Is barbecue sauce just ketchup and sugar? ›

Ketchup is the base of the sauce, Worcestershire sauce adds umami, light brown sugar brings sweetness, vinegar brings tang, and two spices, paprika and cayenne pepper, add a smoky flavor and some heat.

Is tomato paste or ketchup better for BBQ sauce? ›

A good barbecue sauce starts with tomatoes, sweetener, mustard, and spices. Most homemade barbecue sauces start with ketchup, but I prefer to strip it back further and start with a small can of tomato paste.

How long does homemade barbecue sauce last? ›

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Last In The Fridge. Homemade bbq sauce lasts in the fridge for up to two weeks with proper storage and refrigeration.

What is the best substitute for barbecue sauce? ›

But if you are looking for some alternative sauces with that sweet tinge to prepare baby ribs for your weekend get-together, here are some options.
  • Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • Plum Sauce. ...
  • Mustard Sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki Sauce. ...
  • Fruit-Based Sauces.

How do you make homemade sauce taste? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

How to make plain barbecue sauce taste better? ›

To make it less tart or spicy

Try adding some molasses for a rich flavor, honey for a subtle sweetness, or brown sugar for a simple sweet taste. You may need to add some spices like garlic or cumin to help it blend properly.

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Ingredients vary, but most include vinegar or tomato paste (or a combination) as a base, as well as liquid smoke, onion powder, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar or molasses.

How do you add depth to BBQ sauce? ›

Create depth by adding dark chocolate and coffee to your barbecue sauce. These two, feature a bitter-sweet combo that can truly enhance the blend of spices and flavors present in your bottled barbecue sauce. Enhance your Barbecue Sauce using almost anything, including your favorite beer.

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