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Black Forest Barbecue Sauce

Published: Jul 16, 2016 · Modified: Apr 2, 2020 · This blog uses cookies and may contain ads or affiliate links. See this page for more details · 10 Comments

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Black forest barbecue sauce

The delicious, sweet, spicy and tangy black forest barbecue sauce.

Black forest barbecue sauce

Oh, summer, you are here in the UK. Finally. That means, it is time again for barbecues, which as previously discussed the British are only really waking up to. While there are lots of important parts to a barbecue (eg the source of heat, the quality of the ingredients), the sauce for me is paramount to a good barbecue – for me it is the perfect time for the Black Forest barbecue sauce.

Too many barbecue sauces are so loaded down with sugar, they just don’t taste good. Just sickly sweet. I like a rich sauce, that adds to the beef or chicken or whatever it is you are grilling. Not overwhelm it.

My black forest barbecue sauce is inspired from visiting the valley in Nova Scotia in the summer and having loads of fresh cherries and fruit which I needed to use. Turns out it was really addition to a barbecue sauce, because while it has sugar in it, it relies on fruit for the bulk of its sweetness. That, along with the spices gives you a warming sweet spicy and fruity taste in one punch.

Pulling this sauce together is dead easy, just takes a bit of time. As it is a black forest barbecue sauce, you start with some brilliant sour dark cherries plus other black and red berries (fresh or frozen, it makes no difference). Add to that tomatoes, molasses, onion, and some smoky spices. Then go low and slow (this is a brilliant book if you are so inclined).

Black forest barbecue sauce

What is key with this sauce, is how you reduce it. As with any sauce, when you put the ingredients together is will be quite soupy. When you make this, you gotta let it reduce low and slow until it is nice and thick. It helps the fruitiness compete with the rich tomato and spices, and develop that deep flavour.

I like this on chicken and burgers, but anything your barbecue will probably be made better with a sauce like this. 

Black Forest Barbecue Sauce

Black Forest Barbecue Sauce

Matt
Powered by cherries and red fruit: the delicious, sweet spicy and tangy black forest barbecue sauce. I like this on chicken and burgers, but anything your barbecue will probably be made better with a sauce like this.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 brown onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups passata or 2.5 cups of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cups roughly chopped cherries
  • 1 cup other mixed berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and redcurrants.
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Hot smoked paprika powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons white pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large, heavy pot melt butter and add onions. When onions are soft add garlic.
  • Once you can smell the garlic in the pan, add all other ingredients. I start with the cherries and other fruit so they break down a bit first.
  • Simmer for at least 40min, although I found longer better. Stir to ensure it isn’t catching on the bottom of the pan. The point is to reduce the moisture content.
  • Use a hand blender to make it smooth. If should have a dark colour to it, and be thick and cling to the spoon, and without any excess water.

For added fun, I’ve added this to FiestaFriday! Worth having a look at what others are cooking up!

« Rhubarb Berry Compote
Rosemary Roasted Almonds »

Dinner, Food, Lunch, Sauces, spices, condiments and dressings, Sides, Summer recipes, Vegetable based recipes, Year-round recipes barbecue, BBQ, fruit, sauce

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Beeroness (@TheBeeroness) says

    July 28, 2016 at 2:12 am

    This sounds amazing! Perfect for some slow cooked ribs.

    Reply
  2. chefjulianna says

    July 29, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Wow, wow, wow! There is a glut of all of these berries this year and I have been freezing them like crazy! I can’t wait to try this sauce! Thanks a bunch for this amazing recipe! 😀

    Reply
    • matt says

      July 29, 2016 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks Julianna!

      Reply
  3. Shari says

    July 29, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    I just recently discovered the fun of making my own bar-b-q sauce. Ever since then, anytime I see one I have to check out the ingredients. I love that yours has berries included in it. It sounds wonderful. I would like to try making it sometime. The picture at the top of your post is beautiful, too. Thanks for bringing this dish to Fiesta Friday, Matt!

    Reply
  4. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

    July 30, 2016 at 11:59 am

    I love all of the fresh fruit you have added to your sauce – natural sweeteners versus too much sugar. Barbecue is a favorite with many this time of the year. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday and don’t forget to link to the party 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jhuls says

    July 31, 2016 at 6:56 am

    The BBQ sauce sounds fantastic!!

    Reply
  6. petra08 says

    August 01, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    I am addicted to cherries and I totally agree that some BBQ sauces are too sweet! I like the mix of fruit and berries with the bbq, a must try! Thank you for sharing this with us at Fiesta Friday! 🙂

    Reply
  7. carolinescookingblog says

    August 02, 2016 at 12:24 am

    Being from Scotland, I know what you mean about the fleetingness of the summer in the UK! I made a blueberry BBQ sauce not so long ago so can imagine the flavors here are delicious.

    Reply
  8. Natasha @ saltandlavender.com says

    August 06, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    This looks soo good!! I love me a good BBQ sauce 🙂

    Reply
  9. kalamitykelli says

    August 08, 2016 at 2:57 am

    Welcome to Yum Goggle! We are following you on all social media platforms and hope you will follow us back. We will try our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG!

    Reply

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