Kansas City-Style Blueberry BBQ Sauce

This zesty Kansas City-style blueberry BBQ sauce is molasses-based, to add some sweet zestiness to shrimp or any other grilled protein.

Servings & Time

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 cups white onion

2 tablespoons finely minced garlic

2/3 cups molasses

4 cups ketchup

1/4 cup yellow mustard

2/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon chili powder

2/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 3/4 tablespoons kosher salt

1 1/2 cups canned blueberries, drained

Preparation

Instructions

Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat.
Add the onion and sweat until translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Mix in the remaining ingredients except for the blueberries and bring to a low simmer over very-low heat and allow to cook for roughly 20 minutes.
Remove the heavy-bottomed pan from the heat and allow sauce to cool slightly.
Stir in the blueberries gently.
Transfer sauce to a blender and process on medium speed until smooth about 3-4 minutes.
Cool sauce to room temperature then pour into a container and cover tightly. Label and date.
Store sauce in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Notes

This recipe was designed to be served with grilled shrimp skewers. It also can be used as a traditional “mop=style” BBQ sauce to be used during the cooking of ribs or other meats as well as a sauce in which to toss fried chicken tenders or breaded pork to be included with a blueberry-centric slaw in a hot sandwich.