Name: Blueberry Barbecue Sauce
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 shallot , chopped fine; 2 tablespoons minced minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce; 1 garlic clove , minced; 10 ounces (2 cups) blueberries; ⅔ cup packed brown sugar; ½ cup balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon table salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Why This Recipe Works

This berry-based take on an American classic combines the bright, fruity flavor of blueberries with the tangy sweetness of barbecue sauce and the spicy kick of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Typically, you'll find that tomato ketchup is the main ingredient in classic barbecue sauce, but for this version we swapped the tomato for blueberries to introduce some sweet fruity notes. We added balsamic vinegar, shallot, garlic, and chipotle chiles and used just the right amount of brown sugar to emphasize their flavors and anchor the slightly sweet sauce in savory territory. We recommend slathering this sauce on chicken fresh out of the oven, grill, or smoker to give it an extra zing of flavor.

Before You Begin

Serve with Smoked Chicken or use anywhere that you enjoy a fruity, moderately spicy barbecue sauce.

Instructions

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add shallot and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chipotle and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in blueberries, sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Carefully mash blueberries with potato masher and cook, stirring often, until berries have softened and liquid has thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)