Tangy, sweet heat makes this peach barbecue sauce a go-to choice for all your summer cookouts. It’s made with fresh peaches, jalapeno, bourbon, Vidalia onion, and special seasonings. Easy to make and versatile, this sauce goes great with slow-cooked ribs, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
Barbecue is a religion in the South. We take it seriously — and it’s a noun, not a verb. You cook barbecue, you don’t barbecue. And on that barbecue that you cook, you need a good sauce.
We like a thick, slightly sweet sauce with a bite, so this peach barbecue sauce is perfect.
When fresh peach season rolls around, this sauce is one of the first things I make, along with my Southern peach cobbler, of course. We keep a jar of this sauce in the refrigerator all summer because it’s so good with so many things: ribs, chicken, fish, and even slathered on some grilled Vidalia onions.
It looks like a long ingredients list, but it’s mostly spices. The actual hands-on is really easy and only takes about 20 minutes for peeling and pureeing the peaches, and chopping the onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Everything else is simply measured ingredients.
As a fourth-generation Southern cook, I’ve made a lot of sauces. We Southerners love our condiments! We use comeback sauce for dipping, honey mustard sauce on baked chicken tenders, and this peach bourbon barbecue sauce on so many things.
Testing results for peach barbecue sauce
- We tried using canned peaches or frozen peaches in this recipe, and did not love it. I recommend only using fresh peaches.
- We tested this recipe with Buffalo Trace bourbon and Maker’s Mark. Either works fine.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
If you’re looking for a more traditional route, try my original Barbecue Sauce or this favorite Spicy Barbecue Sauce.
Ingredient notes
Here are a few things to know about the ingredients:
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Peaches: This recipe uses fresh peaches. I don’t recommend using frozen or canned.
Vidalia onion: Any sweet onion will work in this recipe.
How to make peach barbecue sauce
- Puree peeled and chopped peaches in a blender.
- Sauté the jalapeno, sweet onion, and garlic in a large saucepan, then add the pureed peaches. Stir in all of the seasonings and other ingredients.
- Simmer for about 30 minutes, then store in the refrigerator.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large peaches, (enough to make 2 cups pureed)
- 1 cup chopped Vidalia onion
- 2 finely chopped jalapeno peppers, (remove seeds unless you want a lot of heat)
- 2 cloves finely minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup good quality bourbon
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and coarsely chop peaches then puree in a blender.
- In large heavy saucepan, saute onion, jalapeno, and garlic in olive oil until softened.
- Add peach puree and remaining ingredients. Stir until well mixed and bring to a boil.
- Turn down to simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Questions and tips
Storage
Store the peach barbecue sauce in a jar in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can freeze barbecue sauce. Use small jars and leave an inch or so at the top for expansion. The sauce will keep in the freezer for several months.
Due to all the fresh ingredients in this sauce, it should be stored in the refrigerator for about one week.
I made this recipe the other day. We gave some to my brother-in-law to take home and put it on a grilled pork butt the other day for a dinner party, and everyone loved it.
Thank you for sharing your recipe..
Thank you so much! I’m glad y’all love it!
Can this sauce be canned?
I’m sorry, I do not know. I haven’t tried canning this sauce. But I don’t see why not as long as you’re following safe canning practices.
I love this sauce sooo much. I served it with pork chops the other night and gave a jar of it to my grown son. (My husband said I was eating more peach sauce than meat !!
It’s almost gone, so I’m setting up to make another batch while the peaches are abundant & so sweet. I even told the product man about it and he got so excited. He’s going home to make it as well.
Oh, I love to hear this! So glad you’ve enjoyed it.
This BBQ sauce is soooo good! Chicken or Ribs on the grill-great. I triple this recipe to freeze for the whole summer. Keeps a long time in the freezer!
Is it safe to can this?
Hi Tracee,
I don’t can things so I can’t answer this. I would probably freeze it before I would can it but that’s because I don’t know anything about canning!
Very good. Made as written. Perfect for chicken or pork tenderloin.
Dang 19 ingredients!!! This is starting to look like asian cuisine. Oh well, I’m going to try this recipe.
Most of those are just spices/seasonings! I hope you enjoyed the recipe!