This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce is a delightful blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors. It's perfect for adding a gourmet touch to your grilled meats, whether it's chicken, beef, lamb, pork, or even ham. The combination of chipotle chiles and maple syrup creates a unique twist that will elevate your barbecue experience.
Photos of Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Most of these ingredients are easy to find in any supermarket. However, chipotle chiles in adobo might be unfamiliar to some. These are smoked and dried jalapeños preserved in a tangy tomato sauce, usually found in the international or Mexican food aisle. Pure maple syrup is another essential ingredient, and it should be the real deal, not pancake syrup.
Ingredients for Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Chipotle chiles in adobo: Smoky, spicy, and preserved in a tangy tomato sauce, these chiles add depth to the sauce.
Ketchup: Provides a sweet and tangy base for the sauce.
Pure maple syrup: Adds a natural sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.
Chicken broth: Enhances the sauce's flavor and consistency.
Ground allspice: A warm, aromatic spice that adds complexity.
Vegetable oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed.
Garlic cloves: Infuses the sauce with its distinctive aroma and flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the sauce.
Freshly ground pepper: Adds a bit of heat and flavor complexity.
Lemon juice: Adds acidity to balance the sweetness and spice.
One reader, Benjie Wolfe says:
This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce is a game-changer! The perfect blend of sweet and spicy, it adds incredible depth to any meat. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, it's now a staple in my kitchen. Highly recommend!
Techniques for Crafting the Perfect Barbecue Sauce
How to puree: Use a blender to combine and blend ingredients until smooth. How to heat oil until shimmering: Heat oil in a pan until it starts to shimmer, indicating it is hot enough for cooking. How to cook onions and garlic until golden: Sauté onions and garlic in hot oil until they turn a golden brown color. How to season with salt and pepper: Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. How to deglaze pan drippings: Add liquid (such as chicken stock) to a hot pan to loosen and dissolve the browned bits stuck to the bottom.
How To Make Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Smoky, spicy, and sweet, this maple-chipotle barbecue sauce is perfect for making grilled meats finger-looking good! Whip this up in under 30 minutes.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3large chipotle chiles in adobo
- ¼cupketchup
- ¼cuppure maple syrup
- 1cupchicken broth,low-sodium
- 1tspground allspice
- 1tbspvegetable oil
- 1medium onion
- 2large garlic cloves
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1tbsplemon juice,fresh
Instructions
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In a blender, combine the chipotles with the ketchup, maple syrup, broth, and allspice and puree until smooth.
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In a medium saucepan, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderately high heat for 5 minutes until golden.
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Add the chipotle puree to the saucepan. Season with salt and pepper.
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Cook over moderate heat for about 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in the lemon juice. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
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Brush on chicken, beef, lamb, pork, or ham during the last few minutes of grilling, broiling, or roasting. Or, dilute with a little chicken stock and use to deglaze pan drippings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 606.30kcal
- Fat: 17.70g
- Saturated Fat: 1.87g
- Trans Fat: 0.11g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.56g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.21g
- Carbohydrates: 109.21g
- Fiber: 6.88g
- Sugar: 78.42g
- Protein: 11.43g
- Cholesterol: 7.20mg
- Sodium: 4116.14mg
- Calcium: 183.24mg
- Potassium: 1367.75mg
- Iron: 2.95mg
- Vitamin A: 1647.98µg
- Vitamin C: 207.00mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
To achieve a deeper, more complex flavor in your maple-chipotle barbecue sauce, consider roasting the onion and garlic before adding them to the saucepan. Simply toss them in a bit of vegetable oil and roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes until they are caramelized and golden. This step will add a rich, smoky undertone to your sauce, enhancing the overall taste.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion and garlic ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Quickly blend the chipotles, ketchup, maple syrup, broth, and allspice in a food processor instead of a blender.
Pre-measure spices: Measure out the allspice, salt, and pepper before you start cooking to save time.
Cook in bulk: Double the recipe and freeze extra barbecue sauce for future use.
Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using pre-minced garlic from a jar.
Substitute Ingredients For Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Recipe
chipotle chiles in adobo - Substitute with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper: Smoked paprika provides a smoky flavor similar to chipotle, while cayenne pepper adds the necessary heat.
ketchup - Substitute with tomato paste and vinegar: Tomato paste gives a rich tomato flavor, and vinegar adds the tanginess found in ketchup.
pure maple syrup - Substitute with honey: Honey has a similar sweetness and viscosity, making it a good alternative to maple syrup.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar savory base and is a good option for vegetarians.
ground allspice - Substitute with ground cloves and cinnamon: A mix of ground cloves and cinnamon can mimic the warm, spicy flavor of allspice.
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier alternative with a similar cooking profile.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor but can be used in the same way as onions.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlic flavor, though it is less potent than fresh garlic.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
freshly ground pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, making it a good substitute.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a suitable alternative.
Presenting Your Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Use high-quality ingredients: Ensure that the chipotle chiles in adobo, pure maple syrup, and chicken broth are of the finest quality to enhance the flavors of the sauce.
Blend to perfection: In a blender, combine the chipotles with the ketchup, maple syrup, broth, and allspice. Puree until the mixture is completely smooth to achieve a velvety texture.
Sauté aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over moderately high heat for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Incorporate the puree: Add the chipotle puree to the saucepan. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook over moderate heat for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Finish with acidity: Stir in the lemon juice to balance the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool to allow the flavors to meld.
Brush on proteins: Apply the sauce generously on chicken, beef, lamb, pork, or ham during the last few minutes of grilling, broiling, or roasting to create a caramelized glaze.
Deglaze with stock: Dilute the sauce with a little chicken stock and use it to deglaze pan drippings, creating a rich and flavorful base for your dish.
Serve with elegance: Present the protein with a delicate brush of the sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of extra maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
Essential Tools for Making Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Blender: Used to combine the chipotles with the ketchup, maple syrup, broth, and allspice and puree until smooth.
Medium saucepan: Used to heat the oil and cook the onion and garlic, and later to cook the chipotle puree.
Knife: Used to chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Wooden spoon: Used to stir the ingredients while cooking.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the ketchup, maple syrup, and chicken broth.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the ground allspice, vegetable oil, and lemon juice.
Bowl: Used to transfer the finished barbecue sauce and let it cool.
Stove: Used to heat the saucepan and cook the ingredients.
Grill: Optional, used to grill the meat and apply the barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Allow the maple-chipotle barbecue sauce to cool completely before storing or freezing.
For short-term storage, transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container or jar with a tight-fitting lid. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To freeze the sauce for longer storage:
- Portion the cooled sauce into smaller, freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags. This allows you to thaw only what you need for future use.
- If using plastic bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer, laying them flat for easier storage and quicker thawing.
- The maple-chipotle barbecue sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To thaw the frozen sauce:
- Remove the desired amount of sauce from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the sauce in the microwave using the defrost setting, stirring occasionally to ensure even thawing.
- Once thawed, give the sauce a good stir to redistribute any separated ingredients.
Reheat the thawed sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Do not refreeze the sauce once it has been thawed, as this can affect its texture and quality.
Reheating Leftover Barbecue Sauce
Reheat the maple-chipotle barbecue sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method ensures even heating and prevents the sauce from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
If you prefer a quicker method, transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat the sauce, as it may cause the flavors to deteriorate.
For a more flavorful twist, sauté some diced onion and minced garlic in a saucepan with a little vegetable oil before adding the leftover sauce. This will add depth and complexity to the sauce while reheating it.
If the sauce has thickened too much during storage, gradually whisk in small amounts of chicken broth or water while reheating until it reaches the desired consistency. This will help maintain the sauce's original texture without compromising its flavor.
To infuse the sauce with a smoky flavor, reheat it on a grill or stovetop grill pan alongside your favorite grilled meats or vegetables. The heat from the grill will gently warm the sauce while imparting a delightful smoky aroma.
Interesting Trivia About Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
A random fact about this recipe is that chipotle chiles in adobo add a smoky and spicy flavor, which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of maple syrup. This combination creates a unique barbecue sauce that can enhance the taste of various meats like chicken, beef, lamb, pork, or ham.
Is Making Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce at Home Cost-Effective?
This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are mostly pantry staples like ketchup, chicken broth, and vegetable oil. Even the specialty items like chipotle chiles in adobo and pure maple syrup are used in small quantities. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10. Overall, this recipe scores a solid 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness.
Is Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Healthy or Unhealthy?
This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes:
- Chipotle peppers, which are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants
- Onion and garlic, both known for their immune-boosting properties
- Maple syrup, a natural sweetener that contains minerals like zinc and manganese
However, there are some less healthy components:
- Ketchup, which often contains added sugars and sodium
- Vegetable oil, a refined oil that may contribute to inflammation when consumed in excess
- The sauce is likely to be high in sodium due to the addition of salt and the naturally occurring sodium in the chicken broth
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the ketchup with a low-sugar, low-sodium tomato sauce or passata
- Use a healthier oil like avocado or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil
- Reduce the amount of added salt and opt for low-sodium chicken broth
- Incorporate more vegetables into the sauce, such as diced bell peppers or carrots, to increase the nutrient content
- Experiment with using dates or applesauce as a natural sweetener in place of some of the maple syrup
By making these adjustments, you can create a more nutritious version of this flavorful barbecue sauce that still satisfies your taste buds while providing a healthier option for grilling and cooking.
Editor's Take on This Delightful Barbecue Sauce Recipe
This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce strikes a delightful balance between smoky heat and sweet undertones. The chipotles in adobo provide a robust, smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich sweetness of maple syrup. The addition of allspice adds a subtle complexity, while the lemon juice brightens the sauce, preventing it from becoming overly sweet. Cooking the onion and garlic until golden enhances the depth of flavor. This versatile sauce is perfect for a variety of meats and can also be used to deglaze pan drippings, adding a gourmet touch to your dishes.
Enhance Your Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Why trust this Maple-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Recipe:
This maple-chipotle barbecue sauce recipe combines the smoky heat of chipotle chiles with the rich sweetness of pure maple syrup, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of chicken broth and allspice adds depth, while onion and garlic provide a savory base. The lemon juice at the end brightens the sauce, making it versatile for various meats. Trust this recipe for its well-rounded ingredients and straightforward instructions, ensuring a delicious outcome every time.
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