Our Southern peach barbecue sauce is made with fresh peaches, and a base of tomato, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, garlic, onion and seasonings. It's our favorite recipe for grilled meats like chicken, pork, and ribs! Be sure to also check out our Alabama White BBQ Sauce, Memphis BBQ Sauce, and Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce recipes.
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This homemade peach barbecue sauce is the perfect combination of sweet peaches and smoky flavor. The foundation of this sauce is similar to traditional barbecue sauce, but it's elevated with fresh peaches. Everything gets cooked down and then pureed in a blender until smooth. It's a great sauce recipe that you'll want to enjoy all summer long!
This is hands down the best barbecue sauce! Give it a try and let us know how you like it. Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your thoughts and share this recipe with all your friends and family.
What you'll love about this recipe
- PERFECT SAUCE - This homemade barbecue sauce has the best flavor and is perfect for all your grilled meats.
- FRESH FRUIT - This savory peach bbq sauce has a tangy flavor from the fresh peaches and it's not too sweet.
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic. If you only have salted butter, that's okay—just reduce the added salt later.
- Yellow Onion: Used for a sweet and savory base. White onion works too if that's what you have.
- Garlic: Used to add rich, savory flavor. Fresh is best, but jarred minced garlic is a quick option.
- Fresh Peaches: Used for a sweet, fruity base. You can use frozen (thawed) or canned peaches in juice if fresh aren't in season.
- Ketchup: Used to add tangy tomato flavor and help thicken the sauce. Try a low-sugar version if you prefer.
- Tomato Paste: Look for the kind in a tube for easy storage.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar also works in a pinch.
- Molasses: Used for deep, bold sweetness and that classic BBQ flavor. Use unsulphured molasses like Grandma’s brand.
- Honey: Used to add smooth, natural sweetness. Any honey will work, but raw or local honey adds extra flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar is fine too—it’s just a bit richer.
- Yellow Mustard: Used to add sharpness and tang.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Used for a salty, savory flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: Used for heat. Add more if you like spicy BBQ sauce, or skip it for a mild version.
How to Make Homemade Peach Barbecue Sauce
- To make peach BBQ sauce, melt butter and cook chopped onion until soft, then add garlic.
- Add chopped peaches and cook until soft.
- Mix in ketchup, tomato sauce, vinegar, molasses, honey, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until thick, stirring often.
- Puree until smooth, cool, and store in the fridge.
Recipe Tips
- Choose Ripe Peaches: Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor. If fresh peaches are out of season, you can use canned peaches or preserves.
- Easy Peeling: To peel peaches easily, blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice water bath. The skins should slip off easily. You can also use a peeler to peel the peaches in strips. Starting from the top or bottom of the peach, gently slide the peeler down the curve of the fruit in strips. Be careful to apply just enough pressure to remove the skin without cutting into the flesh.
- Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess: Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your preference. Add more honey or brown sugar for sweetness, or more vinegar for tanginess.
What to Serve
This peach BBQ sauce goes with all of our favorite barbecue meats like grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, or barbecue ribs.
It's the perfect finishing sauce for glazing ribs and goes well with the smoky flavor of grilled meats. Our kids also love to eat it as a dipping sauce with their nuggets and strips.
How to Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
To store homemade BBQ sauce, let it cool to room temperature, then pour it into a clean, airtight container or jars. Store the sauce in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to six months.
📖 Recipe
Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 peaches fresh, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat heat.
- Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add chopped peaches and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the peaches are soft, about 5-6 minutes.
- Mix in the ketchup, tomato paste, water, red wine vinegar, molasses, honey, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer uncovered until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir the sauce often to prevent sticking and burning.
- If sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water as needed to thin it out.
- Use a food processor or blender to puree the sauce to a smooth consistency.
- Pour the sauce into clean jars and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator, where it will keep for a few weeks.
Jazz says
I made your peach bbq sauce yesterday and used it on chicken thighs and there's no leftover chicken! I'm going to make it again for burgers next week. Thank you for this amazing recipe!