This easy peach BBQ sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy and goes great on grilled and smoked meats like ribs and chicken. It's a delicious homemade barbecue sauce for your next summer cookout.
Why this Recipe Works
Have a barbecue coming up and want to impress your guests with something different? This homemade Peach BBQ Sauce is just the thing to add a twist to your grilled favorites. It's sweet, tangy, and has a hint of spice, thanks to the addition of a BBQ rub.
What sets this sauce apart is the peach preserves, which give it a delightful, fruity sweetness that's a game-changer. Paired with a hit of optional bourbon, it's got a delicious flavor you just won't find in store-bought sauces. So go on, give this Peach BBQ Sauce a try- it's easy to make, with pantry staples and all of your guests will be asking for the recipe!
Ingredient Notes
- Peach Preserves - The peach flavor in this sauce comes from peach preserves. See the FAQs below for an alternative using fresh peaches.
- Ketchup - Ketchup forms the base of this homemade barbecue sauce.
- Barbecue Rub - Choose your favorite rub or try my homemade all-purpose BBQ rub.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - The apple cider vinegar adds acidity and tanginess to this sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce - This gives a savory flavor and helps balance the sauce.
- Bourbon (Optional) - A shot of bourbon gives the sauce depth of flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer or substitute a tablespoon or two of molasses.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a jar or sauce bottle and refrigerate until ready to use.
Expert Tips
- This sauce has a lot of sugar, so it will burn easily on a hot grill. It's best to baste the sauce on your meat at the very end of cooking if using high heat.
What to Serve with
This homemade peach barbecue sauce goes well will grilled and smoked meats. It's excellent on smoked St.Louis spare ribs, smoked chicken, and smoked pulled pork butt. It's also great on grilled pork chops, smoked pork chops, and grilled chicken legs.
For side dishes, check out my watermelon basil salad, pesto tortellini pasta salad, copycat Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad, and my smoked baked beans.
Spicy Variation
This peach barbecue sauce is sweet and tangy, but you can add a spicy kick by adding in a ¼ cup of diced canned jalapeño when cooking the sauce. A teaspoon or two of chili flakes will also work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
To make this barbecue sauce with fresh peaches, peel and slice 2-3 ripe peaches, then place them in a saucepan over medium heat with 2 Tablespoons of water and ¼ cup of sugar. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a wooden spoon to break down the peaches into small chunks, then use in place of the peach preserves in the recipe.
More BBQ Sauce Recipes
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup peach preserves
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons BBQ Rub
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoons Bourbon, Optional
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a jar or sauce bottle and refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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