Description
This homemade Dr Pepper BBQ sauce elevates the soda’s sweetness with savory chipotle and bright caramelized orange zest, yielding a thick, glossy sauce perfect for grilling chicken or burgers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 mL)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 fl oz Dr Pepper soda (355 mL)
- 1 cup ketchup (240 mL)
- 0.5 cup dark brown sugar (100 g), packed
- 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar (60 mL)
- 2 tablespoons alcohol-free vegan Worcestershire sauce (30 mL)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (15 mL)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (5 mL)
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt (2.5 mL)
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (2.5 mL)
- 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 0.25 cup fresh orange juice (60 mL)
- Zest of 1 large orange, finely grated
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics and Build the Base: In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Combine Liquid Ingredients: Pour in the Dr Pepper, ketchup, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, alcohol-free vegan Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk well to fully dissolve the sugar and combine all liquids.
- Add Spices, Orange Zest, and Chipotle: Stir in the smoked paprika, fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced chipotle peppers in adobo, and the finely grated orange zest.
- Simmer and Reduce for Thickness: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and the volume has reduced by about one-third.
- Finish and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the finished sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed. For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly; it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve in a small bowl, garnished with fresh orange zest or thyme.
Notes
Store the cooled Dr Pepper BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The consistency will continue to thicken as it cools. For a spicier sauce, use 2 chipotle peppers; for milder heat, start with 1 pepper and remove the seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 cup (60 g)
- Calories: 110 calories
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Dr Pepper, BBQ sauce, homemade sauce, grilling, chipotle, orange zest, easy recipe, smoky, stovetop, condiment