Jim Beam Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/29/21
Jim Beam Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 12 to 36 servings
Yield: 3 cups

Jim Beam Kentucky bourbon flavors this sauce and gives it some lively spirit. This barbecue sauce is spiked with a generous amount of Kentucky bourbon. Along with the ketchup and bourbon, soy sauce, vinegar, some dry mustard, and cayenne pepper give this sauce a complex flavor. For a spicier sauce, add extra cayenne pepper or a bit of Sriracha or hot sauce. 

One thing you should be aware of: while cooking over a long period of time will reduce the alcohol content in the sauce, it won't completely eliminate it. Simmering the sauce for 20 minutes should reduce the alcohol by approximately 60 percent. If you are serving people who can't tolerate alcohol, consider making a ​molasses barbecue sauce instead.

This is an excellent sauce to use on brisket, baby back ribs, or a slow cooker pot roast, or brush the sauce on grilled burgers or chops. Even the simplest chicken breasts, when brushed with this sauce and then grilled, are magically transformed. This barbecue sauce is loaded with flavor you're not likely to forget.

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Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Jim Beam Bourbon Barbecue Sauce ingredients

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  2. Combine all ingredients in 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.

    Jim Beam Bourbon Barbecue Sauce ingredients in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  3. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 20 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

    Jim Beam bourbon barbecue sauce simmering in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

Variations

  • For an extra smoky flavor, add 1 teaspoon of Liquid Smoke to the sauce.
  • Reduce the brown sugar by about half for a less sweet sauce.
  • If you don't have Jim Beam, use another type of Kentucky bourbon.
  • If you like it with more heat, up the amount of cayenne pepper (try it 1/4 teaspoon at a time) or the Sriracha sauce.

Tip

You can easily double or triple this recipe if you need to feed a crowd—or you just like having this barbecue sauce on hand.

How to Store Jim Beam Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

  • This homemade barbecue sauce will keep in the refrigerator, covered in an airtight jar or container, for up to weeks.
  • Barbecue sauce can also be frozen for up to three months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost in the refrigerator and stir to redistribute the ingredients.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
41 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 36
Amount per serving
Calories 41
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 235mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 84mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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