This is the best Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce recipe! This sauce is naturally sweetened with dates, and without refined sugar. The blend of chipotle chiles, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices creates a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors.
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I wanted to make a recipe with no refined sugar since so many store-bought homemade condiments are filled with sugar. I made this smoky bbq sauce date-sweetened instead of using brown sugar, and no one could tell the difference.
We like to slathering it on ribs, pork chops and veggie chickpea burgers. You can also use it as a dipping sauce with grilled chicken or zesty chicken wings.
It’s incredibly easy to make and far better than any store-bought version, plus you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
All you need is a small saucepan and high-speed blender, or immersion blender. Trust me, once you try this sauce, you'll never want to go back to the bottled kind!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This bbq sauce is naturally sweetened with dates, offering a natural sweetness without refined sugar. Unlike high fructose corn syrup that is found in many commercial bbq sauces.
- Chipotle chiles add a spicy and smoky heat that's perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the dates.
- It's a great sauce for grilling, marinating, or as a dipping sauce. Perfect for chicken, pork, beef, or veggies.
- Simple ingredients and a quick simmer make this a go-to recipe for any BBQ occasion.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make this easy chipotle bbq sauce:
- Puréed tomatoes (passata) forms the base of the sauce. You can use any jarred puréed tomatoes or canned tomato sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes adds a rich, umami flavor without tomato paste. Use oil-packed or rehydrate dry ones in water.
- Pitted dates are a natural sweetener. I prefer Medjool dates for their sweetness and texture, and they're widely available in the grocery store.
- Apple cider vinegar adds acidity and tang. You can substitute the ACV with white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Chipotle chiles in adobo provide smoky heat. Adjust the amount to control the spiciness.
- Onion adds depth and sweetness. Yellow or white onions work best.
- Olive oil is used for sautéing the onions and garlic. Any neutral oil, like avocado oil, can be substituted.
- Garlic cloves are essential for flavor. I recommend using fresh garlic, but 1½ teaspoons of garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Ground ginger adds a subtle warmth and spice. An inch piece of minced fresh ginger can also be used.
See recipe card below for all ingredients and quantities.
How to Make The Best Chipotle BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the puréed tomatoes, chopped dates, sun-dried tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, chipotle chilis, adobo sauce, and ground ginger. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Blend: Once the sauce has thickened, use an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. For more sweetness, add extra dates; for more heat, add additional chipotle chiles or adobo sauce.
- Cool and Store: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- Control the heat: for a milder sauce, reduce the number of chipotle chiles or remove the seeds. For more heat, add extra chiles, finely chopped green jalapeños, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Texture options: For a chunkier bbq sauce, blend it less; for a smooth sauce, blend thoroughly.
- Extra smokiness: add a dash of smoked paprika, ancho chile powder, or a drop of liquid smoke for an extra smoky flavor.
- Date alternative: if you don't have dates, you can use a small amount of honey or pure maple syrup.
Common Questions
You can substitute chipotle peppers with a combination of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. It won't have the same depth, but it will still be delicious.
To further thicken your BBQ chipotle sauce, simmer it with the lid slightly open to let moisture escape, stirring often. It will also thicken slightly as it cools.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: The homemade chipotle bbq sauce can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
- Reheating: Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Recipes to Pair With Chipotle BBQ Sauce
📖 Recipe
Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 food processor high-powered blender, or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 23 ounce (652 grams) jar of puréed tomatoes
- 5 pitted dates, chopped, I use Medjool dates
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 chipotle chiles in adobe, chopped + 1 tablespoon adobe sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ large onion, diced, 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Add the puréed tomatoes, chopped dates, sun-dried tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, and ground ginger. Stir to combine.23 ounce jar of puréed tomatoes, 5 pitted dates, chopped, 4 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 chipotle chiles in adobe, chopped + 1 tablespoon adobe sauce, 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Once the sauce has thickened, use an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. For more sweetness, add extra dates; for more heat, add additional chipotle chiles or adobo sauce.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
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Notes
- For a chunky bbq sauce, chop onions, dates and sun-dried tomatoes evenly and skip the blending.
- Store bbq sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and freeze for up to 3 month. Leave at least a half-inch air space between the sauce and the lid when freezing.
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