Grill Master’s Secret: Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

As an avid backyard griller, I’m always looking for new BBQ sauce recipes to try like Golden BBQ Sauce. A few summers ago, I saw a recipe that caught my eye – one that used Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Being a fan of their Tennessee whiskey, I was intrigued by how it would impart smokey flavors into a homemade barbecue sauce. The Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce recipe started with simmering down the whiskey mixed with tomato paste, molasses, apple cider vinegar and seasonings.

When I first tried making the Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce, I was impressed by the depth of flavor the whiskey provided. As the ingredients simmered together on my stove top, the aroma of smoke filled my kitchen. Once cooled, I loaded up a brush and slathered the rich, mahogany-colored sauce onto grilled chicken breasts, ribs and pork chops. The subtle whiskey notes cut through the other bold flavors for a complex yet balanced barbecue flavor that I couldn’t stop eating. Now this has become my go-to sauce for summer cookouts and tailgates thanks to how easy it is to throw together. With a few common pantry ingredients, you too can enjoy this lip-smacking sauce on all your grilled meats.

Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

This homemade BBQ sauce recipe allows the flexibility to tweak the spices and seasonings to suit your tastes. Purchasing a bottle of Jack Daniel’s from the local grocery store, along with basic pantry ingredients, makes putting together a batch very cost-effective. Once simmered down into a runny but not thin texture, this sauce balances tangy, sweet and spicy flavors without being overwhelming.

For summer grilling season, I like having this Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce on hand to throw on everything from burgers and hot dogs to smoked pork ribs and chicken. The complex malty and caramelized whiskey notes pair especially well with beef and work as a tasty dish dressing or dipping sauce. While some may be disappointed by homemade sauces, claiming they lack intensity of flavor or complexity, this recipe proves that handcrafted creations deliver both.With practice adjusting the spices and seasonings, I’ve perfected my tasty version to enjoy all summer long straight off the hot grill.

Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce Ingredients

This summarizes the core homemade ingredients that come together to produce a BBQ sauce with an intense smoky flavor comparable to bottled sauces but without preservatives. The only ingredient we didn’t use in this sauce was caramel color which is why the bottled sauce will be a deeper burgundy than yours. And, of course, the preservatives.

Easy Jack Daniel BBQ Sauce Recipe

To start, mince garlic and dice half a small onion in a large saucepan over medium heat. As they begin to turn translucent, about 5 minutes, stir in Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to cook down by half, about 10 more minutes.

Once reduced, stir in tomato paste, ketchup, honey and brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Bring it back up to a simmer then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, occasionally stirring.

The sauce will thicken as the liquid reduces down. Once thickened to your desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce and yellow mustard. Blend the hot sauce using an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth.

Pour the hot BBQ sauce into airtight containers and use immediately or let cool completely before storing in the fridge for up to 1 month. The step-by-step cooking process results in a flavorful homemade sauce.

How to Use Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

Grilled & Roasted Meats

• Brush on chicken, beef or pork before grilling or roasting to infuse deep flavor.
• Use it to baste meats and seafood on the grill for caramelized char.
• Serve with pulled pork, ribs or brisket straight off the smoker.

Sandwiches & Appetizers

• Slather on sandwiches, wings or appetizers for instant moisture and taste.
• Offer as an accompaniment or dip for fried pickle chips, mozzarella sticks or veggies.

Slow-Cooked Dishes

• Add a dollop when slow-cooking dishes like chili, baked beans or meatloaf.

Quick Weeknight Meals

• Fry up chicken tenders or meatballs and serve with the BBQ sauce for dipping.
• Brush some onto chicken breasts or thighs before roasting for juicy results.
• Infuse extra flavor into easy weeknight meals like tacos, sliders or pasta salads.

Burger & Pasta Sauces

• Blend some into Chipotle ketchup for a burger sauce with a kick.
• Toss cooked proteins like shrimp in the sauce before grilling or baking.

Jack Daniel’s BBQ Ribs and Chicken Recipe

To make Jack Daniel’s BBQ Ribs and Chicken, begin by simmering 1 cup each of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, ketchup and dark brown sugar along with 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 tsp each of dry mustard, salt and pepper to make the barbecue sauce.

Season 1-1.5 lbs of baby back ribs cut into pieces and 1-1.5 lbs bone-in chicken halves with your favorite dry rub. Grill the ribs at 250°F covered, basting with the barbecue sauce every 30 minutes, for 1-1.5 hours until tender.

Grill the chicken at 350°F, basting each side with barbecue sauce every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F which should take 30–45 minutes. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, baste both the ribs and chicken frequently with barbecue sauce to caramelize and glaze the meats.

Storage and Best Practices

For short-term storage of this Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce, refrigerate any leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. The refrigeration helps retain its full depth of flavor. Many people debate whether all BBQ sauces better refrigerate or not – my experience says it causes no change in taste either way.

If you want the sauce to last longer beyond 2 weeks, freeze it in freezer bags or other storage containers. Squeeze extra sauce into squeeze bottles before freezing for convenient serving straight from the fridge at a later date. To freeze, divide the sauce evenly among multiple bags, seal tightly, and lay them vertically in the freezer. This makes for space-efficient stacking. Allow the sauce to become completely frozen before storing.

Thaw frozen portions of sauce overnight in the fridge before using. An alternative to individual bags is freezing the full batch in an airtight freezer-safe container, though it may be messier when trying to break off just the amount needed without spooning. Get creative with storage depending on your leftover needs!

Variations

You can customize Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce recipe to your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas to amp up the flavor:

Umami Boost: Add extra Worcestershire for intense umami flavor.

Heat It Up: Dice up and toss in fresh Jalapeños or a dash of dried cayenne for some kick.

Earthy Spice: Season with cumin or more minced garlic for an earthy dimension.

Sweet & Spicy: Start with half the amount of brown sugar and honey then customize the sweet/spicy combination to your liking.

Smooth Texture: For an ultra-smooth consistency, use an immersion blender after simmering to purée any bits of onion or garlic.

Feel free to experiment! You can create a ton of delicious variations without altering the core rich flavor of whiskey-laced BBQ sauce.

Recipe Notes

1. This recipe is gluten-free as long as you use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce like Lea and Perrins. Check the brand you have.
2. We use Jack Daniel’s Black Label Tennessee Whiskey but feel free to substitute your preferred whiskey.
3. The alcohol is cooked off during the long simmering cooking process so it is kid-friendly when fully cooled and stored.
4. Nutrition facts will vary depending on the exact ingredient amounts and serving size. One recipe card cannot automatically update for all possible variations.
5. Sauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks or up to 3 months in the freezer. Clearly label and date what’s homemade before storing.
6. This recipe makes about 3 cups of BBQ sauce. Feel free to double, halve or otherwise adjust the quantities to your needs.
7. Enjoy this smoky-sweet BBQ sauce on meats off the grill, in barbecue recipes or with simple sandwiches and sides. Savor the nuanced Jack Daniel’s flavors.

Jack Daniel’s Sauce VS Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

In summary, while both contain Jack Daniel’s spirit, the homemade BBQ sauce recipe achieves whiskey notes in a background way that enhances classic barbecue flavors, making it more broadly approachable compared to the bolder-profiled commercial “Jack Daniel’s Sauces.”

How Can I Thicken Homemade BBQ Sauce?

There are a few different methods you can use to thicken up your homemade BBQ sauce if it comes out too thin for your liking. One of the simplest approaches is to just continue simmering the sauce uncovered on the stove over low heat. As more liquid evaporates due to the longer simmer, the sauce will naturally reduce and thicken on its own. This can take an hour or longer, so have patience. Alternatively, you can vigorously simmer the sauce over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, in order to reduce it more rapidly through evaporation.

Another quick option is to make a cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then slowly whisking this into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking and whisking as the slurry thickens the sauce to your desired consistency. Whichever method you choose, keep sampling the sauce until it coats the back of a spoon to your liking.

My Final Thoughts

This recipe allows you to enjoy the unique flavor that Jack Daniel’s whiskey imparts, while still producing a delicious all-purpose barbecue sauce with broad appeal. I hope this guide inspires you to get in the kitchen. Start creating your own smoky, sweet condiment using an iconic American spirit. Before long, you’ll have guests and family begging to know your secret ingredient for the best barbecue sauce around.

Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce FAQs

What is Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce made of?

The homemade recipe uses a tomato-based sauce with ingredients like brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic and of course Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

How do you use Jack Daniel’s original BBQ sauce?

You can use it to baste meats before and during grilling, as a tableside dipping sauce, or toss it with proteins in recipes like pulled pork sandwiches.

Is Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce alcoholic?

No, the alcohol from the whiskey bakes off during the long simmering process, leaving just subtle whiskey flavors behind.

Where to buy Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce?

You can try specialty food stores or make the homemade recipe. Some restaurants and supermarkets may carry a Jack Daniel’s branded sauce nationally.

Why is it called BBQ sauce?

BBQ sauce gets its name from being a popular condiment served alongside barbecued meats and smoked proteins.

What gives Jack Daniel’s its Flavor?

The charcoal mellowing process during production imparts notes of caramel, vanilla and toasted wood flavors to Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

Does Jack Daniel’s BBQ have whiskey in it?

Yes, the signature whiskey flavor comes from Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey used in the homemade recipe.

Does Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce expire?

Properly stored in the fridge or freezer, it will last 2–3 weeks or up to 3 months respectively before expiring.

Is Jack Daniel’s BBQ vegan?

No, due to the Worcestershire sauce ingredient which contains anchovies. But vegetarian options are widely available.

Can kids have Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce?

Yes, it’s perfectly kid-friendly once fully cooked and cooled, as the alcohol content is negligible at that point.

Is Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce sweet?

It has a balanced sweet-tangy flavor profile thanks to ingredients like brown sugar and molasses balanced by tomatoes and vinegar.

Is Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce gf?

Yes, Worcestershire sauce makes this BBQ sauce gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels.

Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

Recipe by The Saucy CanvasCourse: BBQ SaucesCuisine: American

Servings

3 cups

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

1304

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Indulge in the bold flavors of our Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce recipe. This mouthwatering blend of smoky richness and whiskey-infused sweetness is perfect for grilling, dipping, or marinating your favorite meats. Elevate your barbecue game with this irresistible homemade sauce that’s sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke

• 1/4 cup Jack Daniels whiskey

• 1/4 cup pineapple concentrate

• 1/2 cup white vinegar

• 3/4 cup tomato paste 6 ounces

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

• Combine the brown sugar, water, both kinds of vinegar, tomato paste, pineapple concentrate, whiskey, Liquid Smoke, mustard, salt, onion and garlic powder and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.
• Heat over medium heat until filly combined and mixture reduces by half and thickens.
• Whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then whisk into the BBQ sauce.
• Remove from heat and use hot or allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator.

Notes

• The alcohol in the whiskey cooks off during the cooking process, making it safe to serve this Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce to people of any age.