Tangy smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe - Rhubarbarians (2024)

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Smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe! Tangy, sweet, and savory bbq sauce made with fresh rhubarb and chipotle peppers.

Tangy smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe - Rhubarbarians (1)

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Hiya, Rhubarbarians! It's rhubarb season! Let's try something new and unexpected with those rhubarb stalks and make some fresh rhubarb bbq sauce.

I know that using rhubarb, mostly sweetened for pies and desserts, as the backbone for a chipotle bbq sauce is kind of out-of-the-box. But, the tartness of rhubarb is perfect for tangy bbq sauce. This sauce is sweet, tangy, smoky, and super flavorful.

Why you'll love this

If you're someone who loves incorporating seasonal produce into every meal like I am, you are going to love this! The blend of tart rhubarb with the rich, smoky flavor of chipotle is a game-changer.

It's vegan and vegetarian-friendly, opening up a world where everyone, regardless of dietary preferences, can enjoy it at a gathering. What sets this sauce apart is how well it pairs with any dish you would add bbq sauce to - be it grilled vegetables, tofu, or a portobello burger.

The ingredients are seasonal and simple, the preparation is a breeze, and the result is a vegan BBQ sauce that will impress everyone.

More sauce recipes to try:

  • Peanut butter chocolate sauce
  • Grapefruit vinaigrette recipe
  • Easy recipes with cranberry sauce
  • Whole berry cranberry sauce recipe

Ingredients and equipment

Here is everything you need to make a batch of this rhubarb barbecue sauce at home.Full ingredient amounts with instructions are listedhere in the recipe cardat the bottom of this article.

Ingredients:

  • produce: rhubarb
  • sweeteners: brown sugar and maple syrup
  • sauces: ketchup, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and dijon mustard
  • canned goods: chipotle chiles in adobo
  • aromatics: fresh garlic and ginger
  • seasonings: salt

Equipment:

  • sharp knife and cutting board
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • large sauce pan or pot
  • stove top or cook top
  • stirring utensil
  • blender or immersion blender
  • storage container

Step by step instructions

Here is a step by step guide to making rhubarb bbq sauce at home.Full instructions with ingredient amounts are listedhere in the recipe cardat the bottom of this article.

  • Chop your rhubarb and gather all of your ingredients.
  • Add the ingredients to a large sauce pan or pot on the stove top.
  • Stir well and heat over medium heat until bubbles start.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rhubarb has broken down and softened.
  • Puree and then return to the pot.
  • Add the salt, taste, and add more if desired.

Serving suggestions

You can use this spring/summer bbq sauce any way that you love to use bbq sauce!

I love drizzling it onto grilled vegetables. The unique tartness of the sauce perfectly complements the sweetness of the vegetables.

Additionally, this vegetarian BBQ sauce works miracles on tofu. Marinating tofu slices in the sauce for a few hours before grilling them makes an amazing vegetarian bbq main course.

Try making tofu or halloumi and vegetable bbq kabobs, spreading it onto a portobello burger, making bbq sauce pizza, using it as a dip for chickenless nuggets, or using it as the sauce for this bbq chickpea veggie bowl.

Tangy smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe - Rhubarbarians (6)

When is rhubarb season? Rhubarb is in peak season in the spring time from April to June. It grows well in cooler climates and grows through August here in the Pacific Northwest US.

Recipe tips an substitutions

I always love making sauces with the fresh ingredients of the season. This bbq sauce is very simple, but a few tips and tricks could make all the difference for you.

  • Feel free to use frozen rhubarb if that's what you have!
  • I find that an immersion blender works great, but a high speed blender will create an even smoother sauce.
  • If you're not vegan/vegetarian, by all means use regular worcestershire sauce.
  • The balsamic vinegar can be swapped for red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  • If you don't want to use chipotle chiles, go ahead and add a teaspoon or two of smoked paprika for the smoky flavor.
  • Swap the maple syrup for honey or agave.

Storing, freezing, and canning

This recipe makes 3 cups of rhubarb bbq sauce, so it's quite a lot! Here's how to store it.

Storing: store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 4 weeks.

Freezing: allow your sauce to cool completely, maybe even chill overnight in the refrigerator. Place it in freezer safe sealed containers in batch sizes that you will want to use in the future. The sauce will expand a bit as it freezes, so give it some room. Use within 3 months.

You can check out this guide for freezing bbq sauce!

Canning: Follow proper water bath canning guidelines for canning bbq sauce found here on the Ball Jar site.

Tangy smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe - Rhubarbarians (7)

Did you make this recipe? Leave us a review and star rating in the comments below! We read every single review and appreciate your feedback.

Recipe

Rhubarb bbq sauce recipe

Trish Bozeman

Smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe! Tangy, sweet, and savory bbq sauce made with fresh rhubarb and chipotle peppers.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients

  • 5 cups 1" pieces of rhubarb About 4 medium stalks
  • 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon vegan worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 2-3 medium chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped About 1- 1½ heaping Tablespoons, depending on how smoky you prefer
  • 1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon finely minced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients except the salt in a large saucepan. Stir well to combine.

    5 cups 1" pieces of rhubarb, 4 Tablespoons brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons maple syrup, ½ cup ketchup, 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon vegan worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 2-3 medium chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped, 1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic, 1 Tablespoon finely minced ginger

  • Heat the pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbling.

  • Reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the rhubarb is broken down and very soft, stirring often, about 15 minutes.

  • Remove the sauce from the heat and puree the sauce with an immersion blender, or in a regular blender.

  • Stir the salt into the sauce. Taste and add more salt if desired. Let the sauce cool completely.

    1 teaspoon salt

  • Once cooled, store the sauce in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to a month, or freeze or can.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 1918mgPotassium: 870mgFiber: 5gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 419IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 234mgIron: 2mg

Keyword barbecue sauce, vegan, vegetarian

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Tangy smoky rhubarb bbq sauce recipe - Rhubarbarians (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to BBQ sauce to make it less tangy? ›

Sugars: The standard sauce tends to be pretty sweet to begin with, so sugar may not be necessary, but if the sauce is too spicy or tart, you can try adding brown sugar, molasses, and/or honey to even things out.

What does tangy BBQ sauce taste like? ›

McDonald's Tangy Barbeque Sauce is sweet, tangy, and has a smoky flavor. Our Tangy BBQ Sauce recipe is made with a tomato paste base, vinegar, and savory spices with a hint of sweet hickory smoke flavor.

How to make BBQ sauce tastier? ›

Add a few glugs of Frank's RedHot or Louisiana-style Crystal. Or any other spicy condiment, really: swirl in some sambal oelek, gochujang, or harissa. Play with the smoky notes found in a can of adobo sauce, or the citrus flavors in Cuban mojo. Another source of smoky flavor: smoked paprika.

What thickens BBQ sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

What cancels out tangy flavor? ›

How to Make Food Less Acidic. Add a fat such as butter, heavy cream, sour cream, cheese, or olive oil to coat the tongue and physically block some of the acidity from your taste buds. You might also try adding a sweetener such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup.

What can I add to sauce that is too tangy? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid.

Why is Chinese BBQ sauce different? ›

Unlike American-style barbecue sauces, traditional Chinese barbecue sauce doesn't contain tomatoes. Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, black bean paste, and Chinese five-spice powder are what bring the flavor.

How to add tang to a sauce? ›

Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar

These are the two sources of acid in the sauce, and I think it tastes best when you use both. However, if you've run out of one or the other—lemons or apple cider vinegar—you can use whichever of the two you have.

Is Texas BBQ sweet or tangy? ›

Traditional Texas-style BBQ sauce is typically thin and tangy, with a vinegar base that adds a pleasant acidity to the smoky flavors of the meat. It may include ingredients like vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, chili powder and sometimes a touch of sweetness from brown sugar or molasses.

What is the secret to good BBQ? ›

Secrets to Achieving Mouthwatering BBQ Flavors
  • Start with high-quality meat. It all begins with good quality meat. ...
  • Preheat and clean your grill. ...
  • Use a dry rub. ...
  • Consider marinating. ...
  • Don't overcook. ...
  • Experiment with smoking. ...
  • Finish off with BBQ sauce. ...
  • Let it rest.
Mar 28, 2024

What gives BBQ sauce its distinct flavor? ›

Spices and seasonings: A variety of spices and seasonings are added to BBQ sauce to enhance its flavor. Common spices include paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and mustard powder. These ingredients contribute to the distinct taste and aroma of the sauce.

How do you take the bitterness out of BBQ sauce? ›

a little baking soda (a pinch at a time) will help tone down the pH harshness (bitterness) a little water, broth or other suitable liquid to dilute the vinegar. a little oil (if it works in the recipe) to dilute the vinegar, and/or. a little sugar (if it works in the recipe)

How do you add depth to BBQ sauce? ›

Create depth by adding dark chocolate and coffee to your barbecue sauce. These two, feature a bitter-sweet combo that can truly enhance the blend of spices and flavors present in your bottled barbecue sauce. Enhance your Barbecue Sauce using almost anything, including your favorite beer.

How can I make my BBQ sauce better? ›

Add smoky, spicy, or tangy flavors for a semi-homemade bbq sauce that tastes just like it's from scratch. You can spice up bbq sauce and add some texture and flavor to store-bought bbq sauce with chopped kimchi, bacon bits, sautéed onions, or jalapeños, fresh herbs, or fruit like pineapple and peaches.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce without changing the flavor? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

How do you make BBQ sauce less tart? ›

Brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and freshly ground black pepper help temper the sourness just a bit with Worcestershire adding a slightly aged, smoky dimension to the sauce.

How do you tone down BBQ flavor? ›

Whether it's drizzling honey on top of your dish, adding a bit of sugar to the recipe, or squeezing in lemon juice to enhance the flavors; a touch of sweetness can balance out the heat. If you have a BBQ dish or chili, the best way to tone them down is by adding things such as honey or brown sugar.

How do you fix tartness in sauce? ›

You can smooth out your sauce and remove the tartness by adding cream, butter, cream cheese, and/or grated cheese such as Parmesan. When I make chicken lasagna I like a very mild rose sauce, and make it with those additions. Don't add sugar or other sweeteners.

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