Amish Apple Butter BBQ Sauce Recipe-Quick & Easy

This sweet and smoky apple butter BBQ sauce is the perfect sidekick to ribs, pulled pork, and my favorite, BBQ chicken pizza. The savory flavors of apple butter complement the rich taste of the BBQ sauce, making it a condiment your taste buds will enjoy!

Homemade apple butter is a staple on my canned shelves. I use it in pie, like this recipe for apple turnovers. I have recently discovered how delicious it is when added to other simple ingredients and turned into BBQ sauce. 

Slather this apple butter BBQ sauce on chicken drumsticks, or brush it on burgers for a delicious twist on your regular BBQ sauce. 

You’ll need a few simple ingredients to make Amish apple butter barbecue sauce. 

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Apple butter
• Tomato ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Liquid smoke
• Apple cider vinegar
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Cayenne pepper – optional

Instructions:

Place olive oil into a medium saucepan and heat on low.

Dice the onion and sauté on medium-low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Finely mince the garlic clove and add to the sauteed onion. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. 

Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the desired thickness is reached. 

If you prefer a smooth consistency, blend the onion and garlic in the sauce with an immersion blender.

Use immediately or cool to room temperature and store in the fridge for 2 weeks. 

Substitutions:

Although this recipe has only been tested using fresh onion and garlic, a popular substitute is powder.

• Onion – approximately 1/2-1 Tablespoon onion powder
• Garlic – approximately 1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Brown sugar – Use white sugar plus one-two teaspoons of molasses
• Apple cider vinegar – While ACV is the best option for this BBQ sauce, you can also use white vinegar or lemon juice
• Smoked paprika – Use regular paprika

Can apple butter BBQ sauce be frozen?

Freezing BBQ sauce is an excellent way to store any unused portions. Allow the BBQ sauce to cool to room temperature before pouring it into a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge.

Can apple butter BBQ sauce be canned? 

Canning BBQ sauce is an excellent way to make it shelf-stable. Along with ketchup, I love to can BBQ sauce. You can double or triple this recipe to suit your needs. 

How to water bath can BBQ sauce:

After the BBQ sauce has cooked, pour it into half-pint or pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed.

Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp towel to remove any BBQ sauce. 

Turn on the two-piece canning lids to finger-tight. 

Put the jars of BBQ sauce into a water bath canner and add enough water to cover the jars by one inch. 

Bring the water to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. You want the water to continue to boil gently. 

Process for 20 minutes. If your elevation is above 1000 feet, please refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation for canning at higher elevations.

Remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to sit at room temperature, undisturbed, for 12 hours. 

If any jars didn’t seal, store them in the fridge or freeze them for more extended storage. 

To freeze BBQ sauce in glass mason jars, use wide-mouth jars and leave a one-inch headspace. Use within 3-4 months.        

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