Bourbon Grilling Sauce by SP

Bourbon Grilling Sauce by SP

It’s grilling season here in the upper portions of the USA. I’m not a huge fan of ketchup (too bland), nor many marinades and grilling sauces (too sweet). So I make my own.

These sauces work well on meat or vegetable proteins, like tofu or the ersatz “meats” from Gardein. The recipes are pretty balanced as written, but everyone has their own taste preferences. Adjust sweetness as desired. I absolutely detest Liquid Smoke, so get my smokiness from smoked peppers such as chipotle, smoked habaneros, or smoked paprika. Adjust the heat level according to your audience. I tend to ramp them up quite a bit from the starting points below.

As with many sauces, these get better as they sit and blend, so plan ahead for once in your life and make them a day or two before you want to use them. (I’d be looking at OMWC there, but he doesn’t need to make these since he has me.)

Bourbon Marinade

1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons maple syrup (if not a fan of maple, you can sub honey)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch cayenne or chipotle

1. Whisk ingredients together in a shallow dish.

2. Add protein of choice and marinate overnight, or at least 8 hours.

Bourbon Grilling Sauce

1 cup bourbon
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons liquid aminos (or Worcestershire sauce, if not vegetarian)
1 1/4 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1. Combine all ingredients with a whisk in a saucepan.

2. Simmer until desired consistency, about 45-60 minutes.

Bourbon Ketchup by SP

Bourbon Ketchup by SP

Bourbon Ketchup

16 ounces tomato puree
6 ounces tomato paste
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons liquid aminos (or Worcestershire sauce, if not vegetarian)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Combine all ingredients with a whisk in a saucepan.

2. Cook over medium heat until boiling.

3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let cool.

4. Store in refrigerator, or portion into smaller containers and freeze.



(Featured image on front page by Flickr user respres.)