*Updated April 23, 2015
I’m all about making my own condiments.
I’m not all about making my own condiments all the time. I just don’t have time for that.
Sometimes, it’s just nice to have something with a little more personality! There are tons of great ketchups and barbecue sauces out there, but sometimes I like to spice things up a bit.
Often I’ll make my own sauce when I make pulled pork in the slow cooker, because I have pretty much zero other prep. The same goes with burgers. They are so simple, and I rarely even make a side dish, so it’s nice to be able to spice things up with homemade barbecue sauce.
I feel like this is kind of a new obsession of mine. I think it has a lot to do with how easy it is.
Meat and sauce. Maybe a jar of pickles. Some iced tea. The perfect summer meal!
So this time I wanted to try something with pineapple. I am also a big fan of sweet on meat. That kind of has a ring to it, doesn’t it?
I love all things sweet and sour.
Maple, apple, pineapple, cranberry, brown sugar, tomato, apricot, honey, saskatoons — I love it all in my dinner.
I’m actually a little embarrassed about my sugar consumption at this point. I feel like a normal person should be able to make dinner without adding fruit or sugar or fruit and sugar.
Apparently, I am not.
But this sauce.
So I added a bunch of random stuff to a pot and simmered it with my pineapple juice. It is so good. It’s sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice. It pairs perfectly with pulled pork, but it would also be fantastic on chicken or beef!
Pineapple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 200 ml pineapple juice 1 regular-sized juice box
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 tsp garlic
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes or more if you like it spicy!
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1-2 tbsp corn starch
- 1-2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for corn starch and water to a medium pot.
- Bring to a boil and reduce to medium-low, simmering for 10-15 minutes until flavours come together.
- Mix equal parts corn starch and water. Slowly add to the sauce and stir, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve with pork, chicken or beef.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Rachel says
I can’t wait to try this! So I can figure out my weight watchers points associated with this, can you please tell me how big of a serving you are using to calculate 30 servings in this recipe? Thanks a bunch!
Ashley Fehr says
One serving is roughly a tablespoon, but your best bet would be to do your own calculations using My Fitness Pal so you know exactly.
Paige says
This just looks and sounds AMAZING. I bet it would be great on grilled chicken!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Paige!
Sara Welch says
This was so savory and perfectly sweet! Tasted great on our baby back ribs! Delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sara!
Taryn says
Best bbq sauce ever for pork ribs!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Taryn!
Kimberly says
What a heavenly mixture of flavors, I want to slather this on everything!
Ashley Fehr says
I do often!
Lisalia says
This is such a yummy BBQ sauce. I won’t go back to store-bought. This just tastes so much better!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lisalia! It’s one of our favorites!
Joyce says
Can this be canned? Thanks
Ashley Fehr says
I haven’t tested the pH level so I can’t say 100%. Sorry!
Denise says
My husband was smoking some ribs he marinated in,pineapple juice. I was looking for a barbecue sauce that might complement them when I found your blog. This recipe worked so well with the ribs. It will be in rotation from here out.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Denise! I love this recipe on pork, I can just imagine how good it would be on ribs!
Sue says
LOL, you had me at ” sweet on meat”! So happy I found your site, thanks for this great recipe ! As a fellow sweet/sugar fan I look forward to more!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! Thanks Sue! Happy to have you here 🙂
Tati says
How long does it keep?
Ashley Fehr says
I would keep it 1-2 weeks in the fridge, or it can be frozen up to 6 months.
Debbie Cook says
This sauce is amazing! Because I have kidney disease I cannot add the salt or ketchup. Instead I eliminated the red pepper flakes and added sriracha. It gives it some heat and love the taste!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear it worked out for you!
Sean says
So Chick-Fil-A has ruined the world by changing their bbq sauce recipe. Their original sauce had pineapple concentrate in it. Does this sauce resemble (or could be adjusted to) Chick-Fil-A’s original recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
I’ve never been to a Chick-Fil-A, so I really can’t say!
Joan says
Looks YUMMYLICIOUS.I am going to try this with a pork loin roast I just bought. I love to experiment with recipes,. Usually I add or take away something. On yours I am going to add some crushed pineapple. Mmmmm. I lived in Hawaii for 3 years and that is the one thing I never got tired of eating. I live in North Carolina now and everyone has that sauce with vinegar and pepper flakes. Not a fan. Was raised in south Georgia where we have thick red sauces.
Ashley Fehr says
I hope you enjoy it Joan! I just made some the other night and was reminded how much we love it. Crushed pineapple is a great idea!
cakespy says
OH CRUD. I wish I hadn’t come across this because now I won’t be able to get it out of my mind!! Kidding. I am delighted to make this sauce’s acquaintance. I would just put it on everything!
llmcr says
I had leftover canned pineapple juice from a kid’s pizza party (never too much pineapple on a pizza!). I usually make a cake out of the excess juice but since I used several cans it was too much. I decided to try this recipe since it is basic. Did I mention that I live in the Caribbean and some ingredients are hard to get? Well, I tried this recipe to slow cook some ribs. It tasted so good that I will forget the cake and make another batch of BBQ sauce as I know my son will want more. Yum!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that! Pineapple is one of my favorite pizza toppings too! 🙂
Gina Gentry says
Hi! I can’t wait to make this! I always save the juice from canned pineapple, can you tell me how many cups of juice to use in this recipe? 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
200ml would be just under a cup — 250ml is one cup. I would use about 3/4 cup and if you want it a little thinner or sweeter, just add a little more juice at the end. Hope that helps!
Ashley says
Making this today for the second time, with slightly less pineapple juice because I was told it tasted “too much like pineapple”- as if there was such a thing! I thought it was fantastic! I mixed everything together in the crock pot (cornstarch included), put in a round roast, and leave it to cook all day. By dinnertime it’s easy to shred and we will have shredded beef sandwiches, and it thickens perfectly. Thanks for a great recipe!
Sascha Roterberg says
Cheers Ashley 🙂
What a lovely version of a BBQ Sauce! I´m always checking new Sauces and i promise i´ll try your version!
Best wishes for a lovely weekend!
Sascha
Ashley says
Sounds great! Let me know what you think 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
This looks utterly scrumptious!
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I just happen to have a nice rack of St. Louis style ribs in my frig and all the ingredients for this sauce on hand! I make a bourbon peach chipotle barbecue sauce that is really good for pulled pork or grilled chicken. I like your attitude – thinking outside the box (or in this case, the bottle)! 🙂
Ashley says
I am so glad grilling season is finally here! That sounds amazing! I’ve never tried peach but I will have to 🙂
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Wow, this recipe is so clever and sounds super delicious! Yuuum!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I would literally want to put this sauce on everything! Looks so yummy!
Ashley says
Thanks Jaren!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
This sauce looks SO yummy! I love that you used pineapple! Pineapple and BBQ are the perfect combo!
Ashley says
Thanks Mariah!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This BBQ sauce is the perfect mix of sweet and savory. I love making my own bbq since I can customize it to compliment whatever it is I happen to be making.
Ashley says
It’s so much better!
Danielle says
I think I could almost eat this by the spoonful! This looks so delicious and I love anything that’s sweet and sour!
Ashley says
Thanks Danielle! Me too 🙂
amanda @ fake ginger says
Homemade barbecue sauce is the best! I bet it’s extra delicious with the pineapple!
Ashley says
Definitely! Love pineapple 🙂
Amanda says
I am making this sauce ASAP! This looks delicious!!!
Ashley says
Thanks Amanda!
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
I like making my own condiments some of the time too! Not always, but sometimes it’s nice! This sauce looks amazing – definitely need to try it soon. Love the pineapple-brown sugar combo!
Ashley says
Thanks Stacey!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh my, I love sweet and sour sauces too! This looks and sounds amazing!!!
grandbabycakes says
I would seriously slather this on everything!!!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This sounds amazing!! I love the pineapple juice…sounds so good. Need to try this slathered all over some meat!
Ashley says
Absolutely! Thanks Rachel 🙂
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
This sounds amazing Ashley. I’m with you about the sweet and sour and the desire to mix sugar into everything I eat. Can’t wait to try this out this summer! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Sam!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
I love a good twist on a classic recipe, the tropical version of this barbecue sauce its so something that I would enjoy and I would definitely whop a batch to have on hand for summer get togethers.
Annie @Maebells says
Ohh I love this idea! I usually go for vinegary BBQ sauces, but this is such a good change of pace!
Ashley says
Thanks Annie! It’s still got some good tang to balance the sweet 🙂
Heather | girlichef says
I hear that. I love making and knowing that I can make my own condiments…but by no means do I make all of my own, all the time. This bbq sauce sounds amazing – such a mouthwatering combination of flavors!
Ashley says
Glad I’m not alone! I love it but it’s a lot of work if you’re making all of them!
Shinee says
Can I have a spoonful of this, please? Looks and sounds absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to make some BBQ ribs with smothered with this sauce.
Ashley says
Thanks Shinee!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
This sauce sounds delicious! The addition of pineapple sends it over the top!
Ashley says
Thanks Rachelle! I love pineapple!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Makes me excited for rhubarb season so I can make my rhubarb BBQ sauce! This one sounds divine! I love making condiments as gifts 🙂
Ashley says
Ooo, I’ll have to try that! Sounds awesome!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I think I could just drink this sauce, it sounds SO good! I love the pineapple and brown sugar combo. This would be perfect on just about everything!
Ashley says
Thanks Gayle! I love a nice sweet barbecue sauce!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Slather some chicken with this and grill it! I’m all for the homemade condiments. 😀
Ashley says
I am so longing for some warmer grilling weather! Soon I hope 🙂
mish says
how long would this last in the fridge?
Ashley says
Sorry I missed your comment! I think this would last a good amount of time, maybe a couple weeks? I’m sure it would freeze well if you need it to last longer.
Deborah says
Has anyone tried to can this? It sounds so good but I would like to make a larger batch and can if possible. Thanks!
Ashley says
I haven’t personally — I’m not sure if anyone else has.
Jennifer says
I just made your sauce and it was amazing!!! My 4 year old hates BBQ sauce but can’t get enough of this. I added some crushed pineapple because I am a pineapple lover. Thanks so much for the recipe!!!
Ashley says
I’m so glad you liked it! The crushed pineapple is a great idea!
Jay says
made it last night and love it. I also added fresh onion and garlic, and I doubled the pineapple juice then reduced it by half to intensify the flavor. delicious! Can’t wait to try it with my ribs tomorrow
Ashley says
That’s a great idea! Glad you liked it!
Jenna says
yum, thank you!
Ashley says
Any time 🙂
Trish says
Sounds delicious!! I love pineapple and I will most definitely be trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Nicole says
Hi! I made this today and it came out so good! Thanks for the recipe!!!!!! 😀
Nicole says
Oops. Forgot to include that I poured it over pulled pork to make pulled pork sandwiches
Ashley says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
Linda Warren says
I like the sweetness of pineapple in a BBQ sauce. I bet this would be a great addition to a chicken barbecue pizza too! Thanks for sharing on Time to Sparkle.
Ashley says
I think that would be awesome! Pineapple and chicken are so good together.
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Ooooo I want to throw this all over some pulled pork! Pineapple and pork just go together so well! Though I bet your right that it goes with any kind of meat. I’d love to try this smothered over chicken on skewers with real piece of pineapple! 😀
Ashley says
That would be amazing! I’m a pineapple+meat fanatic!
Matt Robinson says
Bookmarked! What an awesome BBQ sauce, love everything in it!!
Ashley says
Thanks — hope you like it!