Barbecue Bible Bacon Bourbon Sauce Recipe

1

Ingredients

2 2 2 strips artisanal bacon, finely diced
1-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2 cups cider vinegar
2-1/2 2-1/2 2-1/2 cups ketchup
1 1 1 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 2 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
2 2 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 1/2 1/2 cup bourbon
to salt (sea or kosher), to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Yield: Makes 1 quart

Place the bacon in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the bacon is browned, 3 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Stir in the vinegar and bring to a boil. Then stir in the ketchup, sugar, pepper flakes, black pepper, and bourbon and gradually bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 10 minutes. Stir in the salt–you’ll need quite a lot to offset the acidity of the vinegar. Use right away or transfer to clean jars, cover, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for several weeks.