Homemade pineapple BBQ sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that's perfect for grilling or dipping. The key to its unique flavor is using pure canned pineapple juice and simple spices like cumin.
This sauce is easy to make and can be customized to your desired level of spiciness. It's a great way to add a tropical twist to your favorite barbecue dishes.
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Why make your own BBQ sauce?
Making your own barbecue sauce is always a great idea because you can customize the flavor to your liking. You can adjust the sweetness, spiciness, or tanginess of the sauce to create a flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
You also have control over the quality of the ingredients e.g. using pure canned pineapple juice, to ensure that the sauce is of the best quality.
And my favorite part? You get creative with flavors and ingredients. You can experiment with different types of vinegar, herbs, and spices to create unique and delicious sauces.
What you need
Here are the ingredients to make pineapple barbecue sauce:
- Pineapple Juice - The base ingredient of this barbecue sauce recipe. Use pure canned pineapple juice for the best flavor. I don't recommend substituting with syrup.
- Tomato Ketchup - Gives the barbecue sauce its signature reddish color.
- Brown Sugar - Adds a hint of caramel flavor to the barbecue sauce. I personally prefer brown sugar when making barbecue sauces but you can also use white sugar if that's what you have.
- White Vinegar - Just a hint of vinegar to boost the tanginess of the pineapple juice.
- Soy Sauce and Worcestershire sauce - For depth of flavor and balances the sweetness of the sauce.
- Spices - I used ground cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder. It can be substituted with paprika powder for a smoky flavor. To make the barbecue sauce spicy, add chili powder or cayenne pepper.
How to Make It
Making barbecue sauce is as simple as combining all the ingredients in a small pot or saucepan. Stir it well until the sugar is dissolved.
Simmer in medium heat until it thickens like a thin gravy consistency. Keep stirring to prevent the sugar from burning. Taste and adjust sugar and spices according to your preferences. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: I you prefer a less tangy sauce, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
That's it! Easy!
Uses for this Pineapple BBQ Sauce
This homemade barbecue sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment that can be used in a variety of ways.
Here are some examples:
- Grilling - Brush it on meats like chicken, beef, or pork while grilling for a delicious and tangy flavor. You can also use it as a marinade for meats before grilling. This is the barbecue sauce I used to make Air Fryer BBQ pork chops!
- Dipping - Serve as a sauce as a dip for chicken tenders, french fries, or vegetables. It's a great alternative to ketchup or ranch dressing.
- Sandwiches - Use as a spread on sandwiches like pulled pork or brisket. It adds a sweet and smoky flavor to the sandwich.
- Pizza - Use as a pizza sauce for a unique and delicious twist on traditional pizza. Top with chicken, red onions, and mozzarella cheese for a BBQ chicken pizza.
- Meatballs - Add homemade barbecue sauce to meatballs or meatloaf for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Stir-fry: Use homemade barbecue sauce as a sauce for stir-fry dishes. It pairs well with vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and carrots.
These are just a few examples of how you can use this bbq sauce recipe. Get creative and experiment with using it in your favorite dishes!
Shelf-life and Storage
Homemade barbecue sauce can be stored in different ways depending on how long you want to keep it and how you plan to use it.
Here are some storage options:
Refrigerator - If you plan to use your homemade BBQ sauce within a few weeks, you can store it in a glass jar (e.g. mason jars) or an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure to let the sauce cool completely before putting it in the container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezer - If you have made a large batch of barbecue sauce and want to keep it for a longer period, you can freeze it. Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container or a plastic freezer bag and make sure to label it with the date. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Regardless of how you store your homemade barbecue sauce, it's important to always check it for signs of spoilage before using it. If you notice any mold, discoloration, or unpleasant odor, discard the sauce immediately.
More sauce recipes
- Korean Dumpling Sauce
- Filipino BBQ Sauce and Marinade
- Filipino Sawsawan: Soy Sauce and Vinegar Dipping Sauce
Complete Recipe
Easy Pineapple BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon vinegar (note 1)
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (note 2)
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (note 3)
- water (optional)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small pot. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low.1 cup pineapple juice, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoon vinegar, 3 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, black pepper
- Simmer until the sauce slightly thickens, stirring every now and then. Taste and adjust seasonings based on preference.
- Use immediately or allow to cool and store in an airtight glass container for up to a week.
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- Vinegar - I recommend rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, and cane vinegar. All of these are milder in taste.
- Soy sauce - use regular soy sauce.
- Spices - other alternatives are sweet or smoked paprika. You can also add cayenne pepper or chili powder to make it spicy.
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