Smoky Buckwheat Honey BBQ Sauce

This slow-simmered BBQ sauce combines dark Buckwheat Honey with sweet onions, roasted red peppers, tomato, citrus, white wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Its deep, malty sweetness makes a bold glaze for chicken, pork, burgers, and grilled vegetables.

Makes: About 2 quarts
Simmer time: About 3 hours

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 cups chopped sweet onions
• 1 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups Weeks Honey Farm Raw Buckwheat Honey
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• Salt, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• Cayenne pepper, to taste

How to Make Buckwheat Honey BBQ Sauce

1. Soften the vegetables. Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, roasted peppers, and parsley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent.
2. Build the sauce. Add the tomato sauce, Buckwheat Honey, orange juice, white wine, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and garlic. Stir well.
3. Simmer for one hour. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat to prevent scorching.
4. Season. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Add salt, cracked black pepper, and cayenne to taste.
5. Continue simmering. Cover and simmer over low heat for another 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the flavors deepen and the vegetables are very soft.
6. Blend safely. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Purée with an immersion blender until smooth. If using a countertop blender, cool the sauce slightly and blend in small batches with the lid vented according to the manufacturer’s hot-liquid instructions.
7. Cool and store. Let the sauce cool, transfer it to clean airtight containers, and refrigerate.

Ways to Use It

• Brush onto grilled or roasted chicken near the end of cooking.
• Toss with pulled chicken or pork for sandwiches.
• Serve with burgers, meatloaf, or roasted vegetables.
• Use as a dipping sauce for fries or chicken tenders.

Storage and Freezing

Refrigerate the finished sauce promptly in clean airtight containers and use within 1 week. For longer storage, freeze in meal-size portions for up to 3 months, leaving room for expansion. This recipe is not written or tested for shelf-stable canning.

Why Buckwheat Honey Works

Buckwheat Honey has a dark color and robust, malty flavor that holds its own through a long simmer and complements tomato, roasted pepper, citrus, and smoke.

Shop Raw Buckwheat Honey

Worcestershire sauce may contain fish, and the wine is simmered as part of the sauce. Raw honey should not be given to infants under one year of age.