Skip to main content

Sweet-Hot Barbecue Sauce

Brown sugar and molasses are balanced by fresh ginger and jalapeños.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 jalapeño chile, seeded, chopped
2 large plum tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup smoked sun-dried tomatoes or regular sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons mild-flavored (light) molasses

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté until onion is tender, about 7 minutes. Add both bell peppers and jalapeño; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add plum tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes; sauté until tomatoes soften slightly, about 5 minutes. Add wine and all remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until all vegetables are soft and mixture thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly.

    Step 2

    Puree barbecue sauce in processor or blender until almost smooth, adding water by tablespoonfuls for desired sauce consistency. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate.

  2. MORE INFO:

    Step 3

    Smoked sun-dried tomatoes (julienne cut) are sold in three-ounce packages in the produce section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores. For a list of stores, go to calsundry.com.

Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.