When life gives you cherries, make cherry bbq sauce that’s smoky, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. This sauce is summer cookout magic—bold enough for grilled ribs, smooth enough to drizzle over chicken, and flavorful enough to become your new go-to for burgers, tofu, veggies, and beyond.
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The backstory.
Life gave me cherries, so I went looking for a bold, flavorful BBQ sauce that was easy to make and worked with more than just meat. This chipotle cherry BBQ sauce hits that sweet and smoky balance perfectly, with just the right kick from chipotle and adobo. It’s simple, flexible, and brings big flavor to everything from chicken and pork to grilled veggies and tofu—perfect for cookouts or quick weeknight dinners!
xoxo Kori
It's a must-make.
This cherry bbq sauce is naturally sweetened with cherries and brown sugar, and is so simple to make that even beginner home cooks can master it.
- Health-conscious: can be adapted for low sugar diets with simple ingredient swaps.
- Boldly sweet & smoky: cherries, brown sugar, and chipotle bring serious flavor.
- Quick & easy: easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes with pantry staples.
- Super versatile: perfect for grilling, dipping, or even spreading on sandwiches.
- Great for meal prep: make it once, enjoy it all week long.
Put this on your food… or just eat it with a spoon. No judgment.
Let’s talk texture and flavor.
Imagine: the first taste is juicy, tangy cherry with a whisper of sweetness, then the chipotle pepper sneaks in with smoky depth and just a kiss of heat. This sauce is velvety smooth, thanks to the immersion blender, and the balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors makes every bite of barbecue sing. This bbq sauce is sure to be a repeat in this summer heat!
What you'll need.
Here's what you're going to need to make cherry bqq sauce:
- Cherries: frozen or fresh cherries bring fruity sweetness and vibrant color.
- Olive oil
- Ketchup: a classic bbq sauce ingredient that adds body and tang.
- Brown sugar: sweetens things up and complements the cherries.
- Apple cider vinegar: balances the sweetness with acidity. You can also swap in balsamic vinegar for a deeper note.
- Worcestershire sauce: adds umami magic.
- Vegetables: onion and garlic.
- Seasonings: smoked paprika, chipotle powder, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper. The smoked paprika and chipotle powder bring a rich, earthy heat, while cayenne is optional for those who like an extra kick.
If you love fruit-based barbecue sauces, be sure to check out these other delicious variations. Peach BBQ Sauce adds a sunny, sweet twist to grilled meats, while this Blueberry BBQ Sauce delivers a bold berry flavor with just the right amount of tang. And if you're after something truly unique, try Strawberry Balsamic BBQ Sauce, which balances bright strawberries with a tangy balsamic finish. Each one brings a fun, flavorful spin to your next cookout.
Customize it your way.
This cherry bbq sauce is super flexible, so feel free to swap ingredients or add a twist to make it completely your own:
- Use balsamic vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Substitute adobo sauce in place of chipotle powder for smoky heat with more depth.
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a natural sweetener.
- Add a splash of bourbon or whiskey to make it indulgent and complex.
- Add molasses for a touch of smoky bitterness.
- Add liquid smoke to amp up the barbecue taste.
- Adding cocoa powder (just a pinch!) for unexpected richness.
- Add tomato paste to thicken and intensify the tomato flavor.
Flexible dietary swaps.
Cooking for different needs? No problem. This cherry bbq sauce plays nice with plenty of smart substitutions:
- Low sodium – Use low-sodium ketchup and go light on the kosher salt.
- Lower-sugar – Swap brown sugar for a no-added-sugar sweetener like monk fruit or Splenda brown sugar. Go for sweetened but sugar-free ketchup.
- Gluten-free – Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to keep it fully GF.
How to make cherry bbq sauce.
Making cherry bbq sauce from scratch is easier than you’d think—and it comes together in one pot with minimal fuss.
Saute
Saute onion then garlic in a medium saucepan.
Simmer
Add in the rest of the ingredients. Cover and simmer until very soft and thickened.
Blend
Blend in a blender until smooth. Season and serve.
How to use it.
This cherry bbq sauce is a flavor-packed go-to for more than just your grill.
- Brushed onto grilled chicken, pork chops, or ribs during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Slathered on burgers or sandwiches as a smoky-sweet spread.
- Used as a dipping sauce for meatballs or crispy tofu.
- Stirred into baked beans or served alongside roasted vegetables.
- Spoon over barbecue jackfruit or shredded chicken.
Kori's tips.
- Shortcut alert: use frozen pitted cherries to save prep time.
- Adjust the consistency with water if needed.
- While simmering, remove lid if the sauce is too thin. It will evaporate and then thicken.
- Make ahead: store for up to a week—perfect for easy meal prep.
- Use sweet or tart cherries: depending on the flavor you love most.
FAQ's
Store cooled cherry chipotle bbq sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Yes! Freeze in small jars or silicone molds for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
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📖 The recipe.
Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen or fresh pitted cherries
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder or chipotle chili seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in cherries, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
- Cover and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is very soft and the sauce has thickened. If it is not thick enough to your liking, remove the lid and continue simmering until the reduced and thickened.
- Blend with an immersion blender or let cool slightly and transfer to a blender, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Kori's Tips
Nutrition
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Looking for more ways to add bold, homemade flavor to grilled meats? Try some of my favorite BBQ sauces and marinades—they’re easy to make and packed with flavor.
- Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce
- Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Marinade For Lamb
- Chicken Thigh Marinade Recipe
- All Purpose Easy Marinade for Steak
- 5-Minute White BBQ Sauce Recipe
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