Huckleberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
The huckleberry BBQ sauce recipe is a fruit-based condiment made for grilled meats, sandwiches, and dipping. Ripe huckleberries bring a tart-sweet character, while molasses adds richness and chipotle gives a mild smoky bite.
Equipment
- Medium heavy-bottom saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
- Immersion blender or countertop blender
- Fine mesh strainer
- Heatproof storage jar
Ingredients
- 2½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ cups water
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 1½ tablespoons hot sauce
- 2½ tablespoons molasses
- 2¼ cups fresh or frozen huckleberries
- 2½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1¾ teaspoons ground chipotle pepper
- ⅔ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅔ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1¼ teaspoons liquid smoke
- ⅔ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Step 1
- Add the huckleberries and water to a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat and cook until the berries soften and begin releasing their juices.
Step 2
- Stir in the brown sugar, ketchup, and molasses. Keep the mixture moving until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients become evenly incorporated.
Step 3
- Add hot sauce, red wine vinegar, chipotle pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, liquid smoke, and sea salt. Stir thoroughly so the seasonings spread through the berry mixture.
Step 4
- Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 20–25 minutes. Stir periodically to prevent sticking. Continue until the berries break down and the liquid reduces into a noticeably thicker sauce.
Step 5
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. For an extra-silky texture, pass the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer to remove berry seeds.
Step 6
- Return the strained sauce to low heat for a few minutes if additional thickening is needed. Let it cool before transferring it to a clean container. The consistency will become slightly thicker as it cools.