This recipe for homemade Balsamic Barbecue Sauce is not only fast and easy– it’s loaded with fabulous flavor. Make the sauce ahead of time, and don’t hesitate to use it on ribs or even steak. This is a family favorite for grilling.
Every so often, I revisit some of my older recipe posts. This original post dates back to 2009. Why haven’t I made this easy barbecue sauce in 15 years?! It was Labor Day and it’s considered to be the end of Summer. I disagree! We have lots more sunny days ahead, so our Weber grill is still ready for more barbecue. This seemed like a perfect day to make this recipe again, and update with newer photos.
Homemade barbecue sauce is fun to make, and really not that difficult. This sauce is no exception.
The tang from the balsamic vinegar, with slight sweetness from brown sugar and ketchup is perfect for chicken or pork. There are a few additional pantry staples (at least, in our home) of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire Sauce.
Whisk all of the ingredients together, and allow to cook until thickened.
Set the sauce aside to cool. In the meantime, Craig has started the charcoal in our Weber. Bone-In Chicken Breasts for two are seasoned with salt and pepper and lightly oiled.
The chicken is grilled over indirect heat until it reaches 160F. That’s when the sauce is added, and grilled just a few minutes more. (Since there’s sugar in the sauce, that’s why we don’t baste raw chicken.) Otherwise, we risk burning the outside of the chicken. For the grilled asparagus, salt and pepper and olive oil is all the prep work needed. While the chicken is resting, the asparagus goes on direct heat for a few minutes.
Perfect! The char gives the asparagus another layer of flavor. We’re ready to eat!
Here’s a photo from 2009, when drumsticks were cooked. This time, we chose chicken breasts.
TASTING NOTES: Craig did a great job grilling the chicken. It was moist and perfectly cooked. The tangy balsamic vinegar compliments the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar. The rest of the sauce is bottled and in our refrigerator. Some Country Style Pork Ribs would taste great with this sauce.
This post has been updated with new photos that it sorely needed. The recipe remains the same.
Another side dish to go with this recipe is this decadent Cheesy Garlic Bread. So good!
Balsamic BBQ Sauce for Chicken, Steak or Pork
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
For the barbecue sauce:
- Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until all the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer over medium heat until reduced by 1/3, about 25-30 minutes.
For the chicken or steak:
- Place a grill pan over medium heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
- Place the meat on the grill.
- Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°. Baste the chicken with the BBQ sauce and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, indirect heat.
- Remove the meat from the grill and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Serve with additional BBQ sauce alongside.
To bake the chicken:
- Alternately, the chicken can be baked in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chicken skin side up in a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon the BBQ sauce all over the top of the chicken. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
What a fabulous-looking feast! It was a beautiful day in California today–my only complaint about the Bay Area is the chilly wind. Other than that, it was just gorgeous. I’m so glad you took advantage and had a BBQ! That chicken looks totally delicious, and man, that cheesy bread looks amazing. (And can we talk about how I love asparagus on the grill? Delicious!)
That looks delish! Have fun snuggling!
OK when am I invited over??? I want to come to your home, chat, visit, and eat. It all looks fantastic.As Usual!
Oh this looks so good. We still have snow and the BBQ would have to be dug out. Sigh, jealous! I’m not a fan of balsamic vinegar. I’ve only had it at Italian restaurants in the olive/vinegar dip for bread and it has turned my tummy so I’ve never tried it in anything else.
Wyn, balsamic vinegar is so versatile. I love the sweetness of it– on strawberries, as a vinaigrette and in this sauce. Give it a try, and I think you’ll like it.
It’s another beautiful day, so I’m going to grill pork tenderloin and use the leftover BBQ sauce from yesterday. Yippee!!
Deb,
I made Giada’s bbq chicken a while back, but never posted it. It was pretty good.
That cheese bread looks too good!
I am staying away!
Your chicken looks beyond good. What can I say about the cheese garlic bread but can I have a piece please? Really wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing….
WOW! This looks so good. All of it! I’m hungry all over again!
I love BBQ chicken. Balsamic vinegar rocks, I use it all the time. BTW, please visit my blog to pick up an award.
Wow, that BBQ sauce looks amazing! I'm going to have to try it soon. That cheese bread looks incredible too! Both of these are going on my to-do list.
I found this recipe tonight and am grilling it as I type! That PW garlic bread recipe looks to die for!!
Nice meeting you 🙂