Happy 4th of July! Hee hee. Is saying it that way like saying Happy Holidays? Everyone has a 4th of July, right? 😉 The 4th here in the US represents pools, lakes, fireworks, and barbecues. I’m a huge fan of barbecues from the socializing to the taste to the sunshine and to the smells of it.
I was out walking the dogs this morning and I could already smell the smokers fired up in the neighborhood. Texans love their meat smokers. Personally I’m more partial to the grill since it’s much less time and babysitting of meat involved.
Not one to miss out on barbecuing, I made a batch (albeit a small one) of chipotle barbecue sauce. Chipotle chiles have that great smoky flavor and smell but they aren’t burn your mouth spicy like jalapenos.
I used the first part of the sauce making barbecue chicken on the grill with a side of grilled corn. All I was missing was more cucumber watermelon salad. 🙁 I’ve also used it on burgers with pepper jack cheese and sliced avocado. It’s so easy to whip up and customize your own way that I rarely buy bottled sauce anymore.
The ingredients are what most people have on hand already too. Hello, anyone with kids has ketchup in the house. I also have those packets of honey from Starbucks that are the perfect portion for this recipe. If you want a spicier sauce, you can sub in cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper. Make sure to adjust the amount to your taste though!
Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 green onions, white and green parts minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chile powder
Add the olive oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add the green onions and saute until tender. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to low. Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and cool. The sauce will thicken even more as it cools. Makes approximately 1/2 cup of sauce at approximately 266 calories for the entire batch. I’m giving you the calories for the whole recipe since it varies greatly how much sauce everyone uses in their barbecuing. You can refrigerate leftovers for about a week.
Wishing you a happy and safe 4th of July however you spend it.
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