Sweet & Smoky Cherry BBQ Sauce

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.”

-Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT

Summer is the perfect time to switch up your usual barbecue sauce, and this Sweet & Smoky Cherry BBQ Sauce is one of my favorite ways to do it. Made with juicy cherries, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, and classic BBQ seasonings. This sauce has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory flavors.

Fresh or frozen cherries add a bright fruitiness that makes this BBQ sauce pop more than the traditional version. As they simmer, they break down into the sauce and create a naturally rich, glossy texture. The balsamic vinegar adds acidity to balance the sweetness, while smoked paprika and molasses bring that deeper flavor you want from a good BBQ sauce.

I love using this sauce as a glaze for chicken, pork, or salmon, but it’s just as delicious served alongside crispy potatoes, roasted vegetables, or used as a dipping sauce. It would also be amazing brushed onto burgers or spooned over pulled pork sandwiches. I used this sauce to make my BBQ Bacon Baked Beans and my Vegan BBQ Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches.

The best part is that this homemade sauce comes together with simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time. Once cooled, the sauce thickens into the texture of a regular BBQ sauce and you can store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight mason jar. Now you’ll have a flavorful homemade condiment ready whenever you want to add a little summer sweetness to dinner!

Lauren Eliza Eats

Sweet & Smoky Cherry BBQ Sauce

This homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce is sweet, tangy, smoky, and made with fresh cherries. A classic barbecue sauce with ingredients like, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and warm spices to create a glossy sauce. It's perfect for brushing onto grilled meats or as a condiment. It's an easy summer sauce that you need to be making during cherry season.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course: Condiment

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups fresh sweet cherries pitted and halved
• 1 cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp molasses
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ small yellow onion finely minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the minced onion and a small drizzle of olive oil. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
4. Add the cherries, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, molasses, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, and water.
5. Stir until everything is well combined. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer
6. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cherries should become very soft and the sauce should thicken.
7. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender, and blend until smooth.
8. Taste the sauce and adjust as needed.

   For more sweetness: add a little honey or brown sugar.

   For more tang: add a splash of apple cider vinegar.

   For more smokiness: add another pinch of smoked paprika.

   For more heat: add cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
9. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight mason jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.