Best Ever Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce (Homemade Recipe)
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Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce is all about balance, flavor, and texture. And it blows your next favorite whiskey BBQ sauce out of the water! Whip up a double batch of this smoky BBQ sauce recipe, because you’ll want to slather it on everything. It also makes a great dipping sauce!
I love adding an extra kick of flavor to my grilling or cooking process. And I’m also always on the hunt for a mellow BBQ sauce that won’t have my mouth on fine!
What I love about this simple BBQ sauce recipe is that it has that distinctive flavor that I’m looking for without being an overly spicy BBQ sauce.
The simple ingredients create a special flavor that meat lovers will enjoy – and this is a staple to have on the menu for our annual summer BBQs.
You can use this on a rack of ribs, as a sauce on burgers, or as a dipper for fries and onion rings. It’s a simple way to add a little bit of excitement to each and every bite.
With a touch of Jack Daniel whiskey added, this simple recipe creates the perfect BBQ sauce with just a hint of that Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey that we all know and love.
You can also use any local Tennessee whiskey as your secret ingredient – so have fun with the creative process. (but as you can see from my notes below, I highly recommend that you don’t swap it out and just use the best there is!)
I just keep a bottle of Jack Daniel whiskey on hand and use it for this sauce!
Your taste buds will likely pick up a hint of the peppery finish in the sauce, and that’s what makes it so good!
The next time that you want to make your own BBQ sauce with a unique mellow flavor of Jack Daniel, keep this recipe handy!
Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce
Home chefs can all agree on this: making homemade sauces is more cost-effective and way tastier than anything you’ll buy at the grocery store.
Plus, you can make as much as you want, whenever you want! And, you have the flexibility to sprinkle in the spices and seasonings you like best. It’s a win-win!
Good (or great!) sauces can make or break your entire dish. Anything too runny, too tangy, too sweet, or too spicy overwhelms the whole plate.
That’s not a worry with Jack Daniels barbecue sauce! Make a boatload to throw on everything you grill all summer long, and no one will be disappointed.
Don’t think it’s our only Jack Daniels recipe, though.
We’ve got a bacon mac and cheese that will blow your socks off, plus salted caramel brownies that will satisfy any sweet tooth!
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
- Jack Daniels Whiskey – No room for swapping this guy out! It’s how we get that iconic rich, sweet, and smoky flavor. Only the finest ingredients will work!
- Ketchup and Tomato Sauce – Your favorite ketchup and plain ol’ tomato sauce are all you need to form the base of the Jack Daniels BBQ sauce.
- Sugar – I like to use granulated sugar because it reduces easily and doesn’t affect the overall flavor too much.
But, you have plenty of room for creativity with sweeteners!
Brown sugar, honey, or your sugar-free sweetener of choice will fit right in. For the best experience of flavor, choose what you want and enjoy. - Molasses – You want unsulfured molasses, which means it’s free of additives. No chemical aftertaste and natural flavoring means no problems!
This also adds to the caramel color of the sauce. - New Mexico Chili Powder – Not too hot, but hot enough to pack a punch!
But, there’s more to this spicy seasoning than just heat: it has earthy, fruity undertones that add complexity and layers of yummy flavor.
If you want to tone it down a bit, use half New Mexico and half regular chili powder. - Chili Pepper Paste – I use Gourmet Garden chili pepper paste, but any brand will do for this Jack Daniels recipe.
If you can’t find any, you can add some cayenne pepper to some ketchup or tomato paste for the same consistency. - Worcestershire – Sour and sweet! It’s how we get that nice acidic tang.
For a substitute to worcestershire sauce, whip up a combo of ketchup, soy sauce, and vinegar. Add a bit of white or brown sugar to taste. This will give you a similar complex taste.
Serving Suggestions for Jack Daniels Sauce
Summertime grill masters know that there’s no end to the ways that you can use Jack Daniels BBQ sauce! It adds a robust finish to so many dishes!
It goes without saying that it’s beyond scrumptious on pulled pork, grilled chicken, bacon burgers, and pork chops.
And when you have some fries on the side, you can dip them right in! Who needs ketchup and mustard?
This smoky bbq sauce recipe is also so good on nachos! Any recipe with shredded chicken, beef, or pork can be totally doused in this stuff and come out perfect. Try it!
Storage and Best Practices
Store Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce in the fridge — I mean it!
I know there’s a debate as to whether or not you really need to refrigerate barbecue sauces, but I’m not budging here.
Sauces always last longer and retain their flavor best when refrigerated. It’ll last you a couple of weeks, unless you eat it all!
I recommend getting some squeeze bottles for easy use time and time again. It’s way less messy than spooning Jack Daniels sauce out of a jar!
I also think that this makes the perfect gift to give to others! Whip it up, add it to a handsome glass bottle, and share it with family and friends.
They’ll love the gift of the actual product that you created from start to finish, and will think of you every time that they eat it.
Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce FAQ
For this recipe, we use 1 cup of Jack Daniels to make 6 cups of sauce.
The whiskey makes it smoky and smooth, while the sugar and molasses add just enough sweetness to tone down the tangy Worcestershire.
A dash of New Mexico Chile Powder and some chili pepper paste add plenty of heat, making it a singularly spectacular sauce you can use on all of your go-to summertime recipes.
There are a couple of ways! The easiest way is to simmer, thicken, and reduce for a longer period of time in the pan. Now, this will also result in less sauce overall, since you’re, well, reducing it.
You can mix equal amounts of cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then whisk it right into the pan. Repeat as needed until the thickness is to your liking.
Yes, it does! While the sauce boils and simmers in the pan, the alcohol cooks off. This leaves the rich whiskey flavor behind without the boozy side effects!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Barbecue Sauce Recipes
Best Ever Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce (Homemade Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups ketchup
- 16 ounces tomato sauce, 2 8-ounce cans
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey
- 3/4 cup molasses, unsulfured
- 2-3 tablespoons chili pepper paste, I used Gourmet Garden
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon New Mexico chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan over medium heat combine all ingredients. Whisk to combine well. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2013, updated and republished July 2024
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Did you use chili peper paste? TY for your time!!
Yes, chili pepper paste. It is available in the international aisle by the Italian and/or Asian food products. There is also a fresh version in the produce department (that is what I used).
Thank you!
Yes, I used Chili peper paste! So good… I found it in the produce section of our market.
how long does this keep
This sounds great! I've never made my own BBQ sauce before.
This sounds like a nice recipe to try, thanks for posting.
Simon
Donna, how long does this keep in the frig? And, can this sauce be canned/jarred and stored as I do fresh tomatoes?–the ingredients seem to be OK for canning.
I have made this BBQ sauce, numerous times. Yes you can, can this sauce. I just put boiling sauce in hot jars. No need to put in boiling bath. Make sure lids seal. Once open, refrigerate, will keep for at least 2 months.
What is New Mexico chili powder? Aren't all chili powder's the same?
I like sipping a lil Jack when I BBQ but Ill have to give this recipe a try, it sounds TASTY!!!
Thanks for sharing!
I love giving home cooked sauces and jams for gifts. How long can I tell this sauce keeps?
Also, what is the best way to conserve it? I love pretty glass jars but would I have to really disinfect them before or would it be enough just to first wash them and then dip them in boiling water?
I doubt that I get the lids on so that they would be hermetically sealed though, can it be a problem ?
Thanks!
I wonder if a sugar substitute would work? Also, what would be a low sugar substitute for the molasses? My wife and I are diabetic and need to lower the sugar content in this to use it.
Thanks.
Try Monk sugar. It's 1:1 with regular granulated sugar. You can bake with it as well. Better than Stevia!
Thanx for this recipe! I will be adding it to my repetoire for holiday gifts. I make everything homemade for my children (adults) at their request and I know they will love this.
I hear that the alcohol leaves quickly when whisky is cooked. I don't drink any alcohol, so I'm wondering if this becomes alcohol free when cooked as directed?
Yes the alcohol cooks out
if you have samag it will be a great mix also if you havr 3 colour of the red .green .yellow cold chilli sauce with lemon juice…
Even though i know its meant to have jack in it but can this be done without the booze or even with some kind of sub…… I know people will say it cooks out… yes i agree…. id still like to have the option of not having to purchase a bottle… just to try out this recipe ….im a serious no alcohol kind of person…. so even though it cooks out its important to me for it to be omitted fully if possible!
Hmmmm would like to hear this as well!
Can you say how many ml are in a cup measure and also what is the shelf life once jarred, thanks
Hello! Can you please be more specific about "chili pepper paste." I'm Mexican and for me there are a bazillion kinds of chilis! LOL Thanks!
Has anyone ever tried it with a different brand of bourbon
I like making my own pasta sauces, so I wanted to try making a bbq sauce. I never thought of Jack Daniels in a bbq sauce, but it is wonderful! It adds such great flavor.
I WISH I had molasses. I had to sub honey so I know I’m missing some of that caramel flavor but this recipe turned out fantastic. My new favorite bbq sauce 💕
Thank you for this recipe!
Hi Alex!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Made this last weekend, and my family couldn’t get enough of it. Definitely a keeper!
Hi Victoria!
So glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn