Name: 10 Minute Chipotle BBQ Sauce (No Cook, Just Blend)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2/3 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, (use 2 peppers for a light kick); 2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder

This 10 Minute Sweet & Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce is super easy to make with just a few pantry staples and a can of chipotle peppers. There's no cooking required, but it's still packed with smoky, sweet, spicy flavor and has the perfect BBQ sauce consistency right away. Brush it onto meat while it cooks for a delicious caramelized finish, or use it as a finishing sauce.

Chipotle BBQ Sauce on a brisket sandwich

I use this sauce constantly. I used it on my Baked Chipotle BBQ Ribs, and Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork .

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ketchup: Tomato sauce is the base of most barbecue sauces. Ketchup already has the right balance of sweet and tangy, which means less work for you. No need to start from scratch with crushed tomatoes.

Brown Sugar: I used three tablespoons of brown sugar. If you want the sauce to be sweeter, you can always mix in another tablespoon of brown sugar into the sauce after blending. You can also use three tablespoons of white sugar, or two tablespoons of honey.

Worcestershire Sauce: This is what adds that savory, umami depth. It's sweet, salty, and tangy all at once. You can use soy sauce as a substitute but you many need to add more sugar since soy sauce is significantly less sweet.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances out the sweetness and gives the sauce that classic BBQ tang. Rice wine vinegar or red wine vinegar are easy swaps. If you only have white vinegar, use 3 tablespoons instead of ¼ cup since it's sharper.

Chipotle Peppers In Adobo: You can find canned chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce in the Mexican aisle of your grocery store. Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapeños, so they bring heat and smokiness at the same time. Start with the amount listed and adjust from there.

Smoked Paprika: Adds smokiness and deepens the sauce's color. You can use regular paprika if you don't like your BBQ sauce too smokie.

Garlic Powder: Makes the sauce a little more savory and adds a little depth. You can also use onion powder, which will give you a slightly different taste, but similar effect.

Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below

How to Make Chipotle Barbeque Sauce

Blend

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. That's it. Taste and adjust before serving.

Adjustments

Everyone likes their BBQ sauce a little differently. Here's how to tweak it to create your perfect homemade Chipotle BBQ Sauce:

Too mild? Add another chipotle pepper and blend again.
Too spicy? Stir in an extra tablespoon of brown sugar.
Want a bolder BBQ flavor? Add one more tablespoon each of vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.

How to Use Chipotle BBQ Sauce

This sauce is flexible. Here are a few ways to put it to work:

Brush it on while cooking - The sugars in the sauce will caramelize and create a sticky, flavorful crust on chicken, ribs, or pork. Brush it on during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking so it doesn't burn.
Use it as a finishing sauce - Drizzle it over pulled pork, brisket, or a burger right before serving.
Dipping sauce - Great alongside fries, chicken tenders, or anything off the grill.
Sandwich spread - A little smear on a brioche bun takes a regular burger up a notch.

If you love a good slow cooker dinner recipe, this sauce is a great addition to your rotation. Stir it into pulled pork or pour it over chicken thighs before they go in the pot.

Make Ahead & Store

Make Ahead: This sauce keeps well. You can make it up to 1 week ahead and store it in the fridge. Give it a stir before using since the ingredients may seperate slightly.

Leftovers: Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing: You can freeze this sauce for up to 3 months. Store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before using.

Common Questions

Can I make this sauce less spicy? Yes! Use only one chipotle pepper, and add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Do I need a blender? A blender gives you the smoothest result, but a food processor works too. If you want to skip both, finely mince the chipotle pepper and whisk everything together by hand. The texture will be a little chunkier but still tasty.

Can I use this on chicken? Absolutely. It works great on grilled chicken, baked chicken thighs, or anything going into the slow cooker. My Air Fryer Boneless BBQ Chicken Thighs are really good with this sauce brushed on at the end.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, it doubles easily. Just blend in batches if your blender is small.

Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.