Homemade Peach Barbecue Sauce

Last Updated on July 28, 2022 by Karen

Barbecue sauce is a staple and when you top your next grilled dinner with this sweet and tangy homemade peach barbecue sauce you may just never go back to store bought sauces.

It’s peak peach season over here, and I’m taking advantage by making all types of recipes with fresh, ripe, juicy peaches. If you love peaches as much as I do, you should try this Peach and Ginger Iced Tea, Frozen Peach Bellini, and now, this Homemade Peach BBQ Sauce!

I love making homemade barbecue sauce (such as this Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce). Once you make it at home, the store bought bottled sauces just don’t quite cut it.

This homemade peach barbecue sauce recipe will transform fresh summer peaches into a delicious sauce packed with sweet and savory flavors. I love that the peaches add a fruity subtle sweetness and jammy texture to the sauce.

Why make your own BBQ sauce?

• You can control the amount of salt. This homemade version is low sodium, which is perfect for grilled or smoked meats that are heavily seasoned with salty BBQ spice rub.
• You can control the amount of sugar. The ripe peaches provide sweetness to this BBQ sauce, but feel free to substitute with natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey if you prefer it more sweet.
• It’s super easy to make, with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You just have to simmer everything in one saucepan and blend it up.
• You can make a big batch and keep in mason jars for use later or to give away to friends and family as gifts! See below for canning method

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Homemade Peach Barbecue Sauce

Peaches: Pick peaches that are ripe and soft to the touch. I prefer yellow peaches because they seem to be more sweet and juicy than white peaches whenever I buy them.

Tomato sauce: You can also substitute with ketchup, which is a bit sweeter (so you might want to cut back on the amount of sugar)

Apple cider vinegar: Add more if you like more vinegary flavor in your barbecue sauce. You can also substitute with white vinegar or red wine vinegar.

Brown sugar: For that sweet caramelized flavor. I use light brown sugar because that is usually what I have on hand, but feel free to use dark brown sugar for a stronger molasses flavor.

Garlic powder: If you want a strong garlic flavor you could add fresh minced garlic.

Onion powder: You can also add a small chopped yellow or white onion to add sweetness and bulk up the sauce.

Worcestershire sauce: This is a key ingredient that adds a deep, rich flavor to the sauce.

BBQ rub: Any rub you have in your pantry will do. I like to use a Carolina-style dry rub which has a strong mustard flavor.

How to make fresh peach barbecue sauce from scratch

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. The peaches will soften and turn jammy.
2. Let cool and use an immersion blender, blender, or food processor to blend it all together. Blend until smooth if you prefer it smooth, or just partially if you prefer it chunky.

Optional: Add more water if you like your barbecue sauce to be thinner. If you like your barbecue sauce really thick either to be used as a dip or for basting, you can transfer the pureed mixture back in the saucepan and simmer on low until it thickens up more.

How much BBQ sauce do you serve per person?

I usually serve about 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce per person.

How long does this homemade peach barbecue sauce last?

Once the sauce is made, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Homemade Peach Barbecue Sauce for canning

For longer preservation, ladle the prepared barbecue sauce into clean glass jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe the rims and seal tightly with the bands and lids. Place jar in a boiling water bath and process for 15 minutes. Let cool and store for use. Once it is properly canned, this sauce will last 10 to 12 months in a cool, dark place.

Do you have to peel the skin to the peaches?

No, you don’t have to peel it, since everything gets blended up at the end.

Can I use frozen peaches or canned peaches for this barbecue sauce recipe?

You can definitely use frozen peaches (thawed and diced) if peaches are not in season. Peach jam, preserves, or even canned peaches (drained) would work also, but since they are already sweetened, you might want to reduce the amount of brown sugar so the barbecue sauce is not overly sweet.

What other kinds of fruit can I use?

Other stone fruits such as nectarines, apricots, and plums would work great in this barbecue sauce recipe. You can also use mango, which would give it a tropical flavor.

Is this homemade barbecue sauce gluten-free?

Yes, this barbecue sauce recipe is made with ingredients that are naturally gluten-free.

What are some ways to use peach BBQ sauce?

There are so many ways to use this BBQ sauce but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Use in pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches
• Slather on smoked pork ribs
• Spread over grilled chicken or chicken wings
• Use as a burger sauce
• Use as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers

What are some variations to this barbecue sauce?

Spicy peach BBQ sauce: To add some heat, try it with a chopped jalapeno or habanero (if you prefer it really spicy) or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture before cooking
Whiskey peach BBQ sauce: Add 1/4 cup of whiskey to the mixture before simmering
Bourbon peach BBQ sauce: Add 1/4 cup of bourbon to the mixture before simmering
Grilled peach BBQ sauce: Grilled peaches give a caramelized, smoky taste to the barbecue sauce. Grill peach halves flesh side down, for 5 minutes, flipping halfway, until grill marks appear. Dice peaches and use them in the recipe as is.