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Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

5 from 10 votes
Time: 25 minutes
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Say hello to the new king of barbecue sauce! This Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy. It’s the perfect addition to smoked ribs, barbecue pulled pork, on top burgers, and even slathering on grilled chicken.

If you want to try other homemade BBQ sauces, try my sweet and spicy Blackberry BBQ Sauce, smoky Cherry BBQ Sauce, or this mustard-based Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce.

Apple Butter BBQ Sauce on a pastry brush

I have a confession to make… I made this Apple Butter BBQ Sauce with expired apple butter! Now before you get on my case, it was 3 days past it’s expiration, smelled fine, and there was no visible mold.

Wasting food is one of my pet peeves and I did not want to risk eating it in a raw form, so I thought to myself “I’ll cook up a sauce.” I already had ingredients for a basic barbecue sauce like the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar.

I added in some special flavors with the apple butter for sweetness, chili powder for a mild spice, and sauteed onion and garlic for earthiness. Let me tell you, this Apple Butter BBQ Sauce gives off the best vibes and has a depth of flavor made for fall, except you can enjoy it year around.

We used our first jar in these Apple Butter BBQ Pork Sliders. And now it has become a staple in our house and we eat it on everything from burgers to BLTs! This recipe makes almost two, 12 ounce jars so you’ll have enough to last you for a few months.

VIDEO TUTORIAL! Let’s Make It Together:

Ingredients in Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe, I bet most of them are in your kitchen right now. Keep reading for important notes and potential substitutions.

  1. Yellow Onion: Be sure to mince it into to very small pieces. You can also use a white onion, sweet onion, or shallots.
  2. Fresh Garlic Cloves: You will also want to mince them very small. I do not recommend swapping fresh garlic for powdered garlic or even jarred minced garlic, it just isn’t the same.
  3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is for sautéing the onion and garlic.
  4. Apple Butter: Feel free to use homemade or store-bought varieties, both make a delicious barbecue sauce.
  5. Ketchup: Any kind works, Sometimes I use homemade ketchup from our garden tomatoes and other times I use store-bought.
  6. Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives our sauce tang and balances out the sweet and savory flavors. You can substitute this for rice vinegar or white vinegar, the flavor will be slightly different.
  7. Brown Sugar: We use this to deepen the molasses flavors, use either light or dark brown sugar. If your apple butter is on the sweeter side you may want to reduce the amount of brown sugar, or the opposite.
  8. Worcestershire Sauce: Is it really barbecue sauce without it? This adds a savory depth of flavor that is unmatched!
  9. Ground Spices: It’s a blend of salt, pepper, and chili powder. Feel free to use my recommended amounts or season to your taste preferences.

Special Kitchen Equipment

Other than basic kitchen equipment like spatulas, measuring cups, and knives, here are a few special things you’ll need to make this recipe.

  • Saucepan: I like to use my stainless, medium sized saucepan. It gives the sauce room to bubble and reduce down.
  • Container for Storing: I recommend using a glass jar with an airtight lid. This recipe makes 2, 16 ounce jars.
  • OPTIONAL Blender: If you want a super smooth barbecue sauce, you will need either a traditional blender or an immersion blender. If you like the rustic feel like I do, then you won’t need it.
Ingredients for Apple Butter BBQ sauce.

How to Make Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

Here’s a quick overview of the steps, just so you know what to expect when you get into the kitchen. The recipe card below will have complete details as well as the option to scale up the recipe to more servings.

1. SAUTE THE MINCED ONION AND GARLIC until soft and translucent.

2. ADD THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS: apple butter, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Whisk everything together until smooth and bring the mixture to a boil.

3. REDUCE HEAT TO LOW and summer the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to keep a close eye on your barbecue sauce and stir frequently or it’ll stick to the bottom of the pan.

4. POUR APPLE BUTTER BBQ SAUCE into a glass jar, screw on the airtight lid, and refrigerate.

ELIZABETH’S TIP: If you minced your onions and garlic a little too large (like mine), use an immersion blender or traditional blender to smoothen it out before pouring into your jar.

Storing Information

Your Apple Butter BBQ Sauce should always be stored in an airtight glass container, and in the refrigerator. If stored properly it can last up to 3 months.

If you have time, I recommend refrigerating the barbecue sauce for at least 1 day prior to serving. This helps the sauce thicken and the flavors to amplify.

Ways To Use Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

You will love how versatile this sauce is. The sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor is an asset to a lot of different dishes. Here are a few ideas:

  • served with smoked or grilled meats like ribs, pulled pork, chicken, or even steak
  • a topping for pulled pork sliders, burgers, or sandwiches like the BLT
  • coated on baked chicken wings or as a dipping sauce for them
  • tossed over store-bought or homemade meatballs for an appetizer
  • a dip fresh vegetables, fries, onion rings, tater tots, or smashed fingerling potatoes
  • mixed into a homemade salad dressing
Overhead shot of BBQ sauce on a pastry brush resting on top of the glass jar filled with Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What is apple butter and where do I find it?

Apple butter is the complex cousin to apple sauce. It is apples and cinnamon simmered for an extended amount. This allows the apple to caramelize and become more like a paste. There are many recipes to make it on your own or you can buy it at any grocery store.

Can I pressure can or water bath can this Apple Butter BBQ Sauce to be shelf-stable?

This recipe is not written to be shelf-stable, only refrigerated. I do know it can be water bath canned (because it’s already cooked on the stove). I recommend following this guideline from the National Center for Home Food Preservation to learn how to water bath can barbecue sauce. It does come with a recipe but you only need to follow steps 4 and 5. For more information on canning foods in general I like this guide (also from the National Center for Home Preservation).

More Condiment Recipes

If you like making homemade BBQ sauces, you’ll love making your own condiments. Here are a few of my favorites:


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Enjoy Entirely, Elizabeth
Apple Butter BBQ Sauce in a jar with a pastry brush and apple on the side.

Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

Elizabeth Swoish
This Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is sweet, tangy, and the best use of apple butter. It's great on everything from pulled pork sandwiches to smoked meats and even burgers.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Condiments
Servings 2 16 ounce jars
Calories 130 kcal

EQUIPMENT

INGREDIENTS
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ onion - finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic - minced
  • 1 ¼ cup apple butter - homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Add the olive oil and minced onion to your saucepan and heat over medium heat. Sweat the onion for 5-10 minutes until soft and translucent.
  • Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
  • Add to the saucepan apple butter, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Stir together until the mixture is incorporated and smooth.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Stir the barbecue sauce frequently so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Pour into a glass jar, screw on the lid, and store in the refrigerator.

VIDEO

RECIPE NOTES

Storing Information:

  • Refrigerated, in an airtight jar, for up to three months.

Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

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Did you try this recipe?Please take a minute to leave a rating and comment below. My community of readers appreciate it and I do too!
By Elizabeth Swoish on September 11th, 2021
Elizabeth Swoish holding a camera up to her eye taking a photo.

About Elizabeth Swoish

Elizabeth Swoish is the founder and CEO of Entirely Elizabeth. She is a self-taught foodie and mocktail enthusiast with a business degree in data analysis. Read Elizabeth's food journey or connect on your favorite social media channels.

35 thoughts on “Apple Butter BBQ Sauce”

  1. I haven’t made this yet, made a pork roast going to make pulled pork would like to know if I could add bourbon to this sauce. If so, how much do you suggest so it doesn’t make it to watery

    Reply
    • Hey Sharon!
      I was so intrigued by this question that I had to hop into the kitchen and try it out myself. This is what I did: instead of a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, I did 1/4 cup of bourbon and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. I followed the remaining directions the same. During the boiling process the alcohol in the bourbon evaporated out and I was left with the flavors of bourbon. Doing it this way means no added liquid, just reducing a little of one ingredient (which is similar) to make up for another (the bourbon). Hope you try it out and enjoy it like we did!
      ~Elizabeth

  2. 5 stars
    Really delicious. I used it on baby back pork ribs and in baked beans. i liked it in both recipes. I like spicy barbeque sauce so I added a little Siracha to it.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Just wanted to come back and let you know we made this to go with our pulled pork and it is amazing! We did add some heat after taste testing but that’s purely for us. The applebutter is a great addition! Thank you

    Reply
    • Hey there Cassie;
      So glad you enjoyed the BBQ sauce. And yes, you can freeze it. Just place it in an airtight container and place it in your freezer for up to three months. Let it defrost overnight and keep it in the refrigerator when you are not using it.
      ~Elizabeth

  4. Can I use regular vinegar as a substitute? I plan on putting some jalapeños in this and actually make chicken fajitas using it!!

    Reply
  5. I smoke a lot of meat in my back yard can’t wait to try your sauce I make pulled pork on a regular basis thank you sweet smoke bbq

    Reply
  6. 5 stars
    Fantastic! But of course I had to tinker with it. To reduce the sugar content a little, I substituted molasses for the brown sugar and a 6-ounce can of tomato paste + 1/4 cup water for the ketchup. We’ve used it on pulled pork and spare ribs and it was great on both. Thank you!

    Reply
  7. 5 stars
    So yummy and SMOOTH! The apple butter lends another layer. Can’t wait to put it on the pulled pork once done today! Thanks Elizabeth!

    Reply
  8. 5 stars
    Wow what a cool recipe! I’ve never heard of this combo but instantly know it will be amazing! Love that sweet and savory! I’ll be making this after I get my apple butter made this season! Thanks!

    Reply

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