My Homemade Sweet and Tangy Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

bourbon

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: non-alcoholic whiskey

Apple cider vinegar maintains tanginess without alcohol.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed, while granulated sugar is more affordable.

ketchup

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: generic ketchup

Homemade sauce can be healthier, while generic is cheaper.

Worcestershire sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: homemade Worcestershire

Soy sauce is lower in calories, while homemade can save costs.

Plug in two slow cookers, one for pork loin and one for barbecue sauce.

Gather all ingredients on the counter for the barbecue sauce.

Add 1 cup finely diced red onion to a small saucepan.

Pour in 1 cup Kentucky bourbon with the onions.

Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce until it equals about 2 tablespoons of liquid, softening the onions.

In a small crock pot, add the remaining ingredients: 1 cup water, 2 cups ketchup, 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1/2 cup molasses, and 1/2 cup brown sugar.

Swirl the water around in the tomato sauce cans to get all the sauce out.

Once the bourbon and onions have reduced, add them to the crock pot with the other ingredients.

Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients.

Cook the sauce in the crock pot on high for a couple of hours or on the stove at a low simmer for a couple of hours.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens