There they were on my kitchen counter. It was a little pop of orange against a black background. The question was what I was going to do with them. I bought them to use in another recipe. Yet I decided otherwise. So I pondered. Then it struck me to combine them with a couple of other cravings. That's how Habanero Peach Barbecue Sauce happened.
First it started with those peppers. My original intention was to use them in Jalapeño Summer Squash Quick Bread. Actually it was to be a hot pepper squash bread with various peppers. Yet when I was going through the mix it seemed a bit much and I only used jalapeños. Now what to do with habaneros.
Then peaches entered in my thoughts. It's such a fantastic year for Georgia Peaches. I can't seem to get enough of them. I'll really miss them when the season is done. Making peach salsa was an option. Then salsa led my mind toward sauce. That's where my latest cravings for barbecue kicked in. Those cravings have been quite strong lately. A new sauce for grilling was the way to go.
What defines a sauce as a barbecue one? I wondered if it was a certain flavor profile or any sauce used for barbecuing. I'm going with the latter. I found so many variations I figured it was safe to classify this sauce as barbecue.
How is Habanero Peach Barbecue Sauce? It's thick, rich, fruity, sweet, and has a subtle kick of heat. I only used two peppers so it would be a mild sauce. It's easy to make it hotter by using more peppers or including the seeds in the mix. This sauce is fantastic with pork. Peaches and pork are a lovely combination (see my Pork Roast with Moscato Peach Sauce). It would also be nice for chicken and seafood.
What is your favorite barbecue sauce? Have you made your own or use store-bought? This is the first homemade one for me. Technically it is semi-homemade since it is ketchup based. Next time I'll have to venture into making one completely from scratch. And so another to-do and to-make gets added to my never-ending list.
Habanero Peach Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 medium-size sweet onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 2 habanero peppers seeded and finely chopped*
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- 2 large peaches peeled and chopped
- ½ cup peach preserves
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cook onion with oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, and peppers. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, or until fragrant.
- Add ketchup, peaches, and preserves. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in vinegar.
- Puree sauce in a blender (in 2 batches if needed. Be careful not to fill a blender full with hot liquids when blending or it may expand out the top of the blender).
Notes
Recipe adapted from Southern Living Fresh Garden Recipes 2013 special edition magazine.
That color is gorgeous!!! I don't have enough recipes for the large container of habaneros I have to buy to get one. Maybe they'll have some this week at the market so I can make this. Pinned!
I wish it was peach season right now here! This looks so amazing Renee! I'm such a fan of homemade barbecue sauce, and more so when they include some other interesting ingredient.
I love fruity bbq sauces with a little kick. They're perfect for almost any meat you put on the grill, aren't they?
How long does this keep for?
My guess is about 2 to 3 weeks in a sealed container in the fridge. If canned then it is much longer. I suggest using it as quickly as you can. I'm not a food safety expert so I can only guess or estimate how long homemade sauces like this will keep.
Thank you for the cool idea. I love expanding my thoughts on BBQ and sauces. The endless varieties I see on this medium are intriguing. You've caught my attention and I will make your sauce. Thanks.
Can this sauce be safely canned?
I'm sure it can however I have never canned anything before so I do not know any instructions to give you on the process.
Do you need to peel the peaches first? Or just skin and all?
Hi Jana,
Peel and chop the peaches first. Thanks for stopping by!
I HAVE MADE THIS RECIPE 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH...KEEP GIVING AWAY JARS. SO EASY TO MAKE, DELICIOUS SAUCE. I USED CANNED PEACHES AND THIS WORKED WELL.
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!
I wonder how it would turn out smoked, let it simmer in a Dutch oven on the smoker while pork loins cooked ? Has anyone tried this?
This was a hit in my house. Can this be frozen?
Although I have not personally frozen this sauce, I think it would work fine to freeze it. There's no dairy in it, which is what would normally be an issue for freezing.
How much does this make?
Around 3 to 4 cups.
Just made this tonight. I put it on some grilled chicken. Awesome sauce family loved it.
This is a hit with my family. Once cool does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it should be refrigerated.
This is the second time I am making it and I love it. I use it as a sandwich spread by itself and am thinking of mixing it with a little bit of Mayo ; turning it into a peach habanero mayo ; YUM 🙂
What i wanted to share with you is that I substituted half the peaches with Nectarines and it turned out equally delicious.
Thank you for the recipe ; I have made many tiny give away bottles.