Smoky Habanero BBQ Sauce

This Smoky Habanero BBQ Sauce is a rich, full-bodied barbeque sauce that will tingle your taste-buds and leave a pleasant tickle in the back of your throat!

BBQ sauce. Store bought, or homemade? What are your thoughts?

I’m sure you know my answer to that one. It’s no secret I am a spice-loving fiend! I’m always on the search for the next spice-fix that will tingle my tastebuds and tantalize my tongue.

And, as you all know…, it’s football season. And, come football season, I automatically think about tailgating. Football parties and hot wings go together like milk and cookies – don’t you think?

Inevitably at every football party, someone breaks out the chicken wings, and hands start flying as friends and family grab this highly popular finger food.

Why not be sure that your guests are going to love your chicken wings so much, it makes them temporarily stop thinking about the game? As if. 🙂

After years of trying hundreds of store-bought and homemade barbeque sauces, I’m convinced that homemade is the way to go. Homemade is not always convenient, but it’s the only way to make sure you get that perfect balance of smoky vs. spicy vs. sweet that works for you and your family.

I will agree that store-bought is fast and easy, especially for busy family week-nights, but… I also believe that a BBQ sauce can make or break a dish. And, I believe it can make a pulled pork sandwich go from ‘eh’ to ‘oh yeh!’  And the great thing about this sauce is – you can make it ahead of time, and store it until you need to use it (<2 weeks).

The secret to the smoky flavor of this BBQ sauce is grilling or searing the vegetables until blackened.

What you’ll love most about it though, is that it’s so versatile. With it’s smoky, rich, full-bodied flavor, it goes beyond adorning a typical pulled pork sandwich. It’s equally well suited for shredded chicken, grilled shrimp skewers, chicken wings or generously slathered on top of a juicy burger.  v.e.r.s.a.t.i.l.e.

And just look at how cute these 4 ounce gift jars filled with BBQ sauce are! Simply perfect as a gift for the game day hostess when decorated in team colors. Go Seahawks! Whether you gift them as a stocking stuffer, or gift them to friends/family – your BBQ sauce will be a unique and pleasant surprise for anyone. To find jars like these, check the $1 bin section at Target.

Please give this spicy BBQ sauce a try – I can’t think of a better gift to give to your heat-loving friends.

This is our new, favorite go-to sauce, and I think you’ll love it too!

For more great BBQ sauce recipes, try this 5-Alarm Sauce, Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce and Spicy Habanero Honey BBQ Sauce.

Print Recipe

Smoky Habanero BBQ Sauce

This Smoky Habanero BBQ Sauce is a rich, full-bodied barbeque sauce that will tingle your taste-buds and leave a pleasant tickle in the back of your throat!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Sauce

Servings: 2 Cups

Author: Kristi

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 habanero chiles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1/8 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 1/8 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• Sea salt optional, to taste

Instructions

• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place garlic cloves, red pepper, green pepper and habaneros in the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until blackened in various spots, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off heat, remove vegetables from skillet, set aside and let cool. Once cool, peel and roughly chop garlic, red pepper and green pepper. Wearing gloves, seed and roughly chop habaneros.
• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned. Next, add the garlic, habaneros, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper and cook for 1 minute. Finally, add tomato sauce, vinegar, honey, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, cayenne pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 30 minutes. Season with sea salt to taste (optional).
• When cool, pour sauce into a blender and puree until almost smooth. Pour sauce into a jar (or multiple gift jars) and store in refrigerator until ready to use, up to two weeks.

Smoky Habanero BBQ Sauce

Adapted from Serious Eats, Grilled Habanero Barbeque Wings recipe.

Enjoy!