Easy Apricot BBQ Sauce

Name: Easy Apricot BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 18 ounces apricot preserves or apricot jam; 1/4 cup molasses (or maple syrup or brown sugar); 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce); 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons onion powder; 1 tablespoon ketchup; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

posted by Michelle Goth on Jun 14, 2022 (updated Jan 25, 2024)

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Make this easy Apricot BBQ Sauce for your next grilling session! This simple recipe uses apricot jam and common household ingredients.

Making homemade Apricot BBQ sauce is actually super easy. I use very simple ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and apricot preserves. Things that you have in the pantry already!

This Apricot Barbecue Sauce has all of the makings of an addictive homemade barbecue sauce: it’s sweet, tangy and a bit spicy!

Thanks to the jam, the sauce has a bit of a glazing effect, which makes it perfect for basting at the end of your cook time.

This apricot barbecue sauce recipe is a great addition to your grilling repertoire! Use this versatile sauce in so many ways! Here are a few ideas:

As a basting sauce when grilling chicken breasts or grilling chicken thighs
As a sauce for air fried chicken wings
On the top of seared or grilled pork chops
On shredded smoked pork shoulder
On top of pulled pork sliders

Can I use fresh apricots for this recipe?

If you have an abundance of apricots, yes, you can absolutely use them for this recipe! Cook down about 3 cups of peeled, fresh apricots, drain, then mash with a potato masher or run the cooked apricots through a food processor. You will need to add additional sugar to compensate for the lack of sugar in the jam. I like to do this at the end, to taste, 1/4 cup at a time.

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Unfortunately, your homemade BBQ sauce isn’t pasteurized so it won’t last as long as the ones you find on the shelf! You can store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or freeze for up to 4 months!

Storage

Store this homemade BBQ sauce in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Substitute for Molasses in BBQ Sauce

This recipe calls for molasses, but I know that most of us don’t keep it on hand! You can substitute maple syrup or brown sugar for the molasses in this BBQ sauce recipe.

Enjoy!