Blueberry BBQ Sauce (And Blueberry Ribs)
This sweet and tangy Blueberry BBQ Sauce combines fresh summer berries with smoky spices. This sticky sauce on top of tender ribs is perfect when you're craving something different and everyone always asks for the recipe!
BBQ sauce is a staple at our summer picnics. My Blueberry barbeque sauce is such a fun twist. It's sweet, sticky, tangy, and totally delicious. My favorite way to use it is on ribs. But, after tasting it you'll want to slather it on everything from grilled chicken to pulled pork. It also makes a great glaze for meatballs and tastes incredible on burgers.
Bonus: This homemade BBQ sauce also makes a fantastic hostess gift. I like to just pour it into a mason jar, tie it with colored ribbon, and boom: Best Guest Ever status unlocked. Serve with our crock pot baked beans for the perfect picnic.
Why This Recipe Works
- Major Time Saver: Cooking ribs the traditional way takes hours. The pressure cooker tenderizes the meat in under 45 minutes!
- Fall-Off-the-Bone Tender: Pressure cooking quickly breaks down the connective tissue into gelatin, giving you melt-in-your-mouth ribs every time.
- Blueberries Make It Better: Naturally high in pectin, blueberries help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Layers of Flavor: With sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar, and spicy chipotle seasoning, this sauce is irresistible.
Ingredient Notes & Shopping Tips
- Baby Back Ribs: These are smaller, leaner, and more tender than spare ribs. Be sure to remove the membrane on the back. It's chewy and will prevent flavor absorption as well.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Look for an aged balsamic with grape must as the first ingredient. It should taste slightly sweet and syrupy.
- Chipotle Seasoning: Use more or less of this smoky and spicy blend depending on how much heat you want. I like McCormick's Chipotle and roasted garlic. You can also make your own.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This fermented condiment gives a rich umami flavor. Don't leave it out! Look for in the condiment aisle near the ketchup.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup not artificially flavored breakfast syrup for the best flavor.
- Blueberries: Fresh local blueberries are best if you can find them. Look for firm plump deep blue berries. Avoid berries with red patches (underripe) or that are in a stained container(overripe). You CAN use frozen just thaw them first.
How To Make Blueberry BBQ Sauce
- Cook onions until translucent. Add blueberries and cook for 10 minutes.
- Mash berries, and add seasonings.
- Stir in the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, honey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. In a large skillet, over high heat your olive oil and saute' the onions and garlic until translucent.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend for around one minute or until smooth.
FAQs
Can I Make The Ribs In The Oven?
Yes, but it will take a lot longer! Bake at 275 degrees for 2-3 hours and broil for 5 minutes at the end.
Can I Make The Ribs In The Crock Pot?
Yes cook on low for around 8 hours.
Krystle's Tips
- Taste As You Go: Depending on the sweetness of your berries and your personal palate adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Blending Hot Liquids: This can be tricky or even dangerous. Steam can build up so be sure to remove the lid and cover with a (dark colored) folder kitchen towel.
- Avoid a Sticky Situation: Use parchment paper under the ribs to catch drips during broiling. This makes cleanup a breeze.
A Sprinkle of Food Science
Always Use a Natural Release: Don't be tempted to do a quick release. The natural release method lets the pressure drop gradually and helps keep the ribs moist and juicy.
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More Picnic Recipes To Try
📖 Recipe
Ribs With Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce
This sweet and tangy Blueberry BBQ Sauce combines fresh summer berries with smoky spices. This sweet and tangy sauce is perfect when you're craving something different and everyone always asks for the recipe!
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Servings: 2 People
Calories: 882kcal
Ingredients
For the BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Onion Diced
- 1 Cup Fresh Blueberries
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Chipotle seasoning
For the Ribs
- 1 Rack Baby Back Pork Ribs
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
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Instructions
For the BBQ Sauce
- In a large skillet, over pan over medium and add olive oil. Sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic and cook one more minutes.
- Add blueberries to the onion mixture and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Then mash the berries with a fork or potato masher.
- Add the seasonings and stir to coat.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients and reduce heat. Cook for around 5 minutes.
- Pour into blender and puree for 1 minute. Strain if desired.
For The Ribs
- Remove the membrane from the bottom side of the ribs.
- Put the metal rack in your pressure cooker and place ribs inside standing on their side.
- Pour in broth. Secure the lid making sure the vent in closed.
- Press the Meat button setting and cook for 25 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before release any remaining pressure.
- Transfer the ribs to a parchment lined baking sheet. Coat in BBQ sauce.
- Broil for 2 minutes. Coat with BBQ sauce and broil for 2-3 more minutes.
- Serve with extra sauce if desired.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
-
- Baby Back Ribs: Be sure to remove the membrane on the back. It's chewy and will prevent flavor absorption as well.
- Blueberries: Fresh local blueberries are best if you can find them. Look for firm plump deep blue berries. Avoid berries with red patches or a stained container. You can use frozen just thaw them first.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Look for an aged balsamic with grape must as the first ingredient.
- Chipotle Seasoning: Use more or less of this smoky and spicy blend depending on how much heat you want. I like McCormick's Chipotle and roasted garlic.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup not artificially flavored breakfast syrup for the best flavor.
- Taste As You Go: Depending on the sweetness of your berries and your personal palate adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Blending Hot Liquids: This can be tricky or even dangerous. Steam can build up so be sure to remove the lid and cover with a (dark colored) folder kitchen towel.
- Avoid a Sticky Situation: Use parchment paper under the ribs to catch drips during broiling. This makes cleanup a breeze.
- Always Use a Natural Release: Don't be tempted to do a quick release. The natural release method lets the pressure drop gradually and helps keep the ribs moist and juicy.
Nutrition
Calories: 882kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 198mg | Sodium: 927mg | Potassium: 956mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 4mg
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I made this for a family dinner yesterday. The whole family loved it. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
This bluberry bbq sauce is so hit with my family and friends, I showed them your recipe, They enjoyed it.
I made it for a weekend cookout and everyone was raving—definitely a new summer staple in our house.
It was every bit as good as you said and MORE. The ribs were delicious, the sauce - indescribable! Love the berry twist, and all I can think about is more ways to enjoy this tasty sauce.
Adding blueberry while making bbq sauce sounds interesting. I will try this recipe this weekend and let you know how it turned.
I made this blueberry BBQ sauce and paired it with ribs—it was amazing! The sweetness of the blueberries gave the sauce a unique twist, and it perfectly balanced the smoky flavors. Definitely a keeper!
These got rave reviews from my family! The blueberry BBQ sauce was delicious on these ribs!!
I love the sweet and spicy combo!