Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

This Blueberry Barbecue Sauce, made in the slow cooker, is great to make in the summer when fresh blueberries are bountiful. Don't despair if it's not summer. You can also make this with frozen blueberries. 

This slow cooker blueberry barbecue sauce is savory with a hint of sweetness from the fruit and a little brown sugar. It's easy to make, and excellent both as a simmering sauce and as a finishing sauce.

I love the idea of experimenting with homemade sauces and condiments, such as ketchup, hot sauce, rémoulade, and salad dressing. 

This recipe makes about 4 cups of blueberry barbecue sauce, enough for making a big batch of ribs or wings.

What you will need to make slow cooker blueberry barbecue sauce: 

This recipe calls for 2 1/2 pints of fresh blueberries. If you use frozen blueberries (not in syrup), you will need 2 1/2 pounds. 

In addition, you will need to add some sautéed onions with garlic, some red wine, and cider vinegar. 

There's also some Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes in the mix. 

You can use a five to seven quart round or oval slow cooker to make this sauce. While I haven't tried it, the slow cook function of a multi-cooker such as the Instant Pot would probably work just fine too.

My favorite way to puree the sauce is by using an immersion blender. It's so great because you don't have to transfer the hot mixture to a blender or food processor and worry about it splattering. An immersion blender is also wonderful for blending hot soups. If you don't have one, I recommend using a food processor for this sauce. 

Ideas for using this blueberry barbecue sauce:

You can use it to cook pork ribs in the slow cooker by combining it with other simmering liquids. The sauce would also be wonderful brushed on wings or ribs for a final char under the broiler or on the grill. 

You can also use this sauce for dipping or as a sauce for burgers. 

I used some of the sauce to simmer short ribs in the slow cooker after browning them in the broiler. While short ribs never seem to look pretty in a photograph, they were delicious, so I had to share. 

Storing this blueberry barbecue sauce:

You can keep leftovers of this sauce in a sealed jar for up to two months. 

Did you know that it's #NationalBlueberryMonth? To celebrate, Ellen and Christie of Family Around the Table and A Kitchen Hoors Adventures have organized a weeklong event where we share delicious blueberry recipes.

Along with this recipe, I'll be sharing a blueberry sauce recipe for waffles, and recipe for cinnamon swirl blueberry bread!

Blueberry Week Recipes

Breakfast

• Blueberry Liege Waffles by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Buttermilk Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes by Palatable Pastime

Drinks and Appetizers

• Blueberry Basil Bourbon Smash by Cookaholic Wife
• Blueberry Bubble Tea by Our Good Life
• Blueberry Lemon Naan Bread Appetizer by The Freshman Cook
• Blueberry Syrup with (Optional) Bourbon by Food Above Gold
• Roasted Blueberry French Toast Crostini by Daily Dish Recipes

Sauces and Spreads

• Blueberry Barbecue Sauce by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Saucy Honey & Balsamic Blueberry Jam by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Blueberry Curd by Caroline's Cooking

Dinner

• Blueberry Bison Chili by Savory Moments
• Blueberry Romaine Salad by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Curry Burgers with Blueberry Chutney and Coconut-Lime Slaw by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Dessert

• Blueberry Cardamom Crisp by Crumb Top Baking
• Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream by Cooking For My Soul
• Blueberry Oatmeal Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Blueberry Peach Oatmeal Bars by The Beard and The Baker
• Blueberry, Peach & Brie Slab Pie by The Spiffy Cookie
• Vegan Blueberry Orange Layer Cake by The Baking Fairy

Slow Cooker Blueberry Barbecue Sauce:

If you tried this recipe, I'd love to hear from you!

Blueberry Barbecue Sauce in the Slow Cooker

Yield: 32 servings (1 quart)

Author: Karen Kerr

ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow or brown onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced and smashed
• 1/4 cup red wine, such as merlot or Zinfandel
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 1/2 pints fresh or 40 ounces frozen blueberries (not sweetened)
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Juice of one lemon
• 1/8 teaspoon  red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

instructions:

How to cook Blueberry Barbecue Sauce in the Slow Cooker

1. In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, for about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and cider vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. 
2. Add the blueberries, brown sugar, Worchestershire sauce, lemon juice, pepper flakes, chili powder, and salt and pepper, and stir. 
3. Cook the ingredients on low for 6 to 8 hours. 
4. Remove the lid and cook the sauce on high for for 30 to 60 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. 
5. Purée the sauce with an immersion blender, food processor, or blender. 
6. Let the mixture cool and then transfer to jars and refrigerate for up to 2 months. 

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2019/07/blueberry-barbecue-sauce.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

barbecue sauce, BBQ, blueberries

Sauce, barbecue

American

Created using The Recipes Generator

This recipe was adapted from the book Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann. There are 350 slow cooker recipes in the book, including recipes for soups, porridges, stews, grains, chilis, casseroles, poultry and meat, and desserts.

More delicious blueberry recipes from Karen's Kitchen Stories:

• Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Cake
• Blueberry Brioche Coffee Cake
• Blueberry Muffin Tops with a Cheesecake Drizzle
• Blueberry Cornmeal Sourdough Muffins

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