Description
This homemade Hawaiian BBQ sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors, featuring pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and a touch of spice. It’s easy to make, customizable, and free from preservatives, making it a healthier alternative to store-bought sauces. Use it as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for grilled meats, ribs, pulled pork, or even burgers.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional for extra sweetness)
Flavor Boosters
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
Thickening (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (for a thicker consistency)
Instructions
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Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and red pepper flakes until well mixed.
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Simmer and Reduce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The flavors will begin to meld, and the sauce will slightly thicken.
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Adjust the Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
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Taste and Adjust: Sample the sauce and adjust to taste—add more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or red pepper flakes for heat.
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Cool and Store: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool for 10 minutes before transferring it to an airtight container or glass jar. Refrigerate for up to one week.
Notes
- For a sugar-free version, replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or increase pineapple juice for natural sweetness.
- To make it spicier, add Sriracha or cayenne pepper to taste.
- For a smoky twist, use chipotle powder instead of smoked paprika.
- Best served with: grilled chicken, ribs, pulled pork, burgers, or as a pizza sauce substitute.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce, Condiment
- Method: Simmered
- Cuisine: Hawaiian, BBQ
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g
Keywords: Hawaiian BBQ sauce, pineapple BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, island-style BBQ sauce