Apricot BBQ Sauce: A Taste of Sunshine on Your Plate

I remember one summer afternoon, grilling veggie burgers with friends, and someone brought a jar of commercial BBQ sauce. It was cloyingly sweet and tasted overwhelmingly of…well, not much beyond high fructose corn syrup. That’s the moment I decided I could do better, and my journey into homemade BBQ sauces began. This Apricot BBQ Sauce, adapted from Veganomicon, is a testament to the vibrant, complex flavors you can achieve when you ditch the processed stuff and embrace fresh, seasonal ingredients. It’s a taste of sunshine, bottled and ready to elevate your next barbecue.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 cups
• Dietary Type: Vegan, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 lbs apricots, pitted and sliced (Alternatively, you can use 1/2 – 3/4 cup apricot preserves or fruit spread)
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Equipment Needed

• Saucepan
• Blender

Instructions

1. Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté for 7-10 minutes, or until the onions are nicely browned. Don’t rush this step – the browning adds depth of flavor.

2. Add the minced garlic to the saucepan and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Burnt garlic is bitter garlic!

3. Pour in the vegetable broth or water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. These bits, known as fond, are packed with flavor.

4. Add the pitted and sliced apricots, ground ginger, ground coriander, and a generous grind of black pepper to the saucepan.

5. Cover the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.

6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the apricots are soft and easily mashed.

7. Uncover the saucepan and add the remaining ingredients: molasses, pure maple syrup, soy sauce, and liquid smoke.

8. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 10 minutes, stirring and gently mashing the apricots with a spoon or potato masher. This will help to thicken the sauce. The sauce should reduce slightly and become a bit more syrupy.

9. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Cooling it down a bit before blending prevents splattering and potential burns.

10. Transfer the cooled sauce to a blender and puree until completely smooth. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can pulse the blender a few times instead of pureeing it completely.

11. Keep the Apricot BBQ Sauce refrigerated until ready to use.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• For an even deeper, smokier flavor, try using smoked paprika in addition to the liquid smoke, starting with 1/2 teaspoon and adding more to taste.
• If you’re using apricot preserves instead of fresh apricots, you may need to adjust the amount of maple syrup to achieve your desired level of sweetness. Taste as you go!
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with other spices. A pinch of cayenne pepper can add a touch of heat, while a dash of cinnamon can enhance the fruity notes.
• If the sauce is too thick after blending, add a tablespoon or two of water or vegetable broth to thin it out. If it’s too thin, continue cooking it over low heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired consistency.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce but don’t have a high-powered blender, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to remove any remaining bits of apricot skin.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

This Apricot BBQ Sauce is incredibly versatile. It’s fantastic over baked tofu, tempeh, or seitan strips. It’s also delicious on grilled vegetables, veggie burgers, or even as a dipping sauce for fries. For an impressive appetizer, try glazing vegan meatballs with it.

Store the Apricot BBQ Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutritional Information

(Estimated per serving, based on a serving size of approximately 1/4 cup)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	130 kcal	7%
Total Fat	2g	3%
Saturated Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	400mg	17%
Total Carbohydrate	28g	9%
Dietary Fiber	2g	7%
Sugars	20g	–
Protein	1g	2%

Variations & Substitutions

• Spicy Apricot BBQ Sauce: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the saucepan along with the apricots.
• Smoked Apricot BBQ Sauce: Increase the amount of liquid smoke to 2 teaspoons or use smoked apricots if you can find them.
• Apricot-Ginger BBQ Sauce: Add a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger along with the ground ginger.
• Fruit Variations: Try substituting other stone fruits like peaches, plums, or nectarines for the apricots, or use a combination of fruits.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari. You can also reduce the amount of soy sauce and add a pinch of salt to taste.
• No Molasses Option: If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute with brown sugar or date syrup.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use dried apricots in this recipe?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to rehydrate them first. Soak about 1 cup of dried apricots in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain and use them in the recipe. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid depending on how much water they absorb.

Q: How long does the sauce last?
A: The sauce will last up to a week in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer.

Q: Can I make this recipe without liquid smoke?
A: Yes, but the sauce will lack the smoky flavor. You can try adding smoked paprika instead, or simply omit it.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes, if you use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.

Q: Can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
A: Absolutely! If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of molasses or maple syrup. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more of either one.

Final Thoughts

So, ditch the store-bought stuff and give this Apricot BBQ Sauce a try. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and the flavor is far superior to anything you can find in a jar. I promise, once you taste the difference, you’ll never go back. It’s a delightful addition to any summer barbecue. Feel free to experiment with the recipe and make it your own. And be sure to let me know what you think! I highly recommend pairing this with grilled tofu skewers and a side of grilled corn on the cob. Happy grilling!