Fireball BBQ Saucern

a close up shot of a spooned grabbing Fireball BBQ Sauce

Fireball BBQ Sauce is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors that will bring out the best in your grilling

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Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Servings

Table of Contents

Fireball BBQ Sauce Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Fireball BBQ Sauce Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Discover the magic of combining classic BBQ flavors with a hint of cinnamon-spiced whisky in our Fireball BBQ sauce. The perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and smoky elements will transform your grilled dishes and promise to make your next barbecue unforgettable.

Fireball BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Fireball BBQ Sauce raw ingredients that are labeled

This BBQ sauce is a delicious blend of ingredients, with ketchup providing a sweet and tangy base and the pepper jelly adding a sweet heat to the mix.

The Fireball whisky infuses it with a warm, spicy kick, while the brown sugar balances the heat.

Incorporating the smoked paprika lends a smoky flavor to enhance its BBQ character.

You’ll need:

1 cup of ketchup
⅓ cup of Fireball whisky
¼ cup of brown sugar
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons of pepper jelly
2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper

Substitutions and Additions

FIREBALL WHISKY: If you prefer a different brand of cinnamon whisky, feel free to substitute it. Just ensure it’s a brand you would enjoy drinking on its own.

KETCHUP: If you’re watching your sugar intake, use a low-sugar ketchup.

You may need to adjust the amount of brown sugar to ensure the sauce retains its sweet flavor.

PEPPER JELLY: If you can’t find pepper jelly, increase the brown sugar by two to three tablespoons and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar for a different flavor profile.

White wine vinegar brings a mild acidity, while red wine vinegar adds a slightly deeper tang. Adjust the quantity to maintain the desired level of acidity in your sauce.

SPICES: You can customize the heat and smokiness of your Fireball BBQ sauce by experimenting with different spice blends.

How To Make This Fireball BBQ Sauce Recipe

With a handful of staple ingredients, this BBQ sauce will come together on the stovetop, ready to enjoy in no time.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

It takes approximately two to three hours to fully cook out the alcohol from a sauce.

Since Fireball whiskey is such an essential ingredient in this sauce, use discretion when serving it to minors.

STEP ONE: In a medium saucepan, stir together the ketchup, Fireball whisky, brown sugar, unsalted butter, and pepper jelly.

Continue by adding Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

ketchup, fireball, sugar, butter, pepper jelly, vinegar, worcestershire, paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper stirred together

STEP TWO: Bring the Fireball BBQ sauce mixture to a boil on medium heat, then reduce the heat to low.

Simmer for an additional six to eight minutes to thicken the sauce.

Be sure to whisk often to prevent the sauce from burning.

STEP THREE: Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to a lidded container.

This sauce will continue to thicken a little more as it cools.

PRO TIP:

This BBQ sauce can be used once cooled; however, the best results occur the next day when the flavors have had time to enhance.

sauce cooled and transferred to lidded container

How To Serve

Our Fireball glaze BBQ sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few suggestions:

Use the sauce as a marinade for chicken, ribs, or any other meat before grilling. The sweet and spicy flavors will permeate the meat, giving it a delicious taste.

Serve the sauce on the side as a dipping sauce. It’s perfect for BBQ chicken wings, grilled vegetables, or even as a unique dip for fries.

Spread some Fireball BBQ sauce on your sandwiches or burgers for an extra kick of flavor.

For a twist on traditional pizza, use the BBQ sauce as a base instead of traditional pizza sauce. Top with grilled chicken, red onions, and mozzarella for a BBQ chicken pizza.

Add some sauce to your tacos or wraps for a sweet and spicy flavor boost.

For a different twist on BBQ sauce, try our tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce. Our chicken finger dipping sauce is the perfect side.

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Storage

Our Fireball whisky barbecue sauce can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, allowing you to make it ahead of time and have it ready whenever you need it.

MAKE AHEAD: You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.

It will continue to thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit thin when you first remove it from the heat.

IN THE FRIDGE: Once the sauce has cooled completely, transfer it to a lidded container or mason jar and store it in the refrigerator.

It will last for up to two weeks.

IN THE FREEZER: If you want to store the sauce longer, you can freeze it.

Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container, removing any excess air. It can be frozen for up to two months.

REHEATING: When you’re ready to use the sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator.

You can warm it slightly in a saucepan on low heat, whisking to bring it back to its original consistency.

Why We Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why we love this Fireball BBQ sauce recipe:

UNIQUE FLAVOR: The combination of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors makes this sauce stand out from traditional BBQ sauces.

EASY TO MAKE: With just a few simple steps, you can make this sauce at home. No complicated techniques or equipment are required.

MAKE AHEAD CONVENIENCE: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it a convenient option for quick meals or impromptu BBQs.

a close up shot of a brush on top of the Fireball BBQ Sauce mason jar

Our Fireball BBQ sauce is a unique blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors with a distinct and delicious cinnamon flavor from the whisky that will elevate your grilling game. Whether you’re using it as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a spread for sandwiches and pizzas, this sauce is sure to impress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a low-sugar ketchup for this recipe?

You can use a low-sugar ketchup. You may need to adjust the amount of brown sugar to ensure the sauce retains its sweet flavor.

Can I substitute the pepper jelly with something else?

If you can’t find pepper jelly, increase the brown sugar by two to three tablespoons and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

Can I use this sauce as a marinade?

This sauce can be used as a marinade for chicken, ribs, or any other meat before grilling.

Can I use this sauce in other dishes?

This sauce is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, pizzas, tacos, and wraps.

Can I adjust the level of sweetness or heat in this sauce?

The recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your taste. You can alter the level of sweetness or heat or even add your own twist to the recipe.

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