This Captain Morgan Barbecue Sauce is sweet, a little smoky, and has just the right amount of spice. Spoiler alert, it's rum. Any spiced rum works for this recipe, so you don't technically need this specific one (but it's definitely our favorite). This barbecue sauce is perfect for grilling, weeknight dinners, or honestly just a spoonful if nobody's watching.
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- Why You'll Love This Spiced Rum BBQ Sauce 💛
- Ingredients You'll Need For Barbecue Sauce
- Fun Ways To Switch Up This Recipe
- How To Make Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- Expert Tips For The Best Captain Morgan BBQ Sauce
- How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Serve This Barbecue Sauce with...
- 📖 Recipe
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I have a bit of a reputation for homemade sauces around here, so if this one hooks you, you've got some other options to try too! If you're into sweet and sticky, my honey garlic sauce, teriyaki sauce, and eel sauce are all cut from the same cloth and are so delicious. Or, if you prefer something a little different, try my two-ingredient buffalo sauce, homemade ranch dressing, or Big Mac sauce.
Why You'll Love This Spiced Rum BBQ Sauce 💛
- It's ready in about 25 minutes. No all-day simmering, just a saucepan and a whisk.
- Any spiced rum works. Captain Morgan is the classic choice, but Sailor Jerry, Kraken, or whatever's in your cupboard will do the job.
- The alcohol cooks off, the flavor doesn't. You get the warm spice and depth of flavor from the rum without the boozy bite.
- Use it on everything. Homemade chicken wings, roast chicken, BBQ chicken quesadillas, grilled beef burgers, ribs, or as a dipping sauce for literally anything.
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Ingredients You'll Need For Barbecue Sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory depth and umami to the sauce.
- Spiced Rum: Captain Morgan is our favorite to use for this BBQ sauce, but any spiced rum will work. Dark rum is a substitute that works if that is all you have, you'll just lose a little bit of the spiced warmth in the flavor.
- Ketchup: Tomato paste thinned with a bit of water works great as a substitute if you're out of ketchup.
- White Vinegar: If you don't have white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is the best swap. Lemon juice will work in a pinch.
- Spices: Chili powder, allspice, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder are my go-to combo for this barbecue sauce. The chili powder and allspice bring a lovely warmth that complements the rum's flavors.
You can find all the ingredients and their quantities in the recipe card below.
Fun Ways To Switch Up This Recipe
- Make It Spicy: Add cayenne, chipotle powder, or a spoonful of hot sauce for an added kick.
- Go Tropical: Stir in a splash of pineapple juice for a Caribbean-inspired twist that pairs perfectly with grilled shrimp or chicken.
- Swap the Rum: Use bourbon or dark rum instead of spiced rum for a smokier, less sweet profile. I use bourbon in this BBQ roast chicken recipe, and it is delicious.
- Add Smoke: A few drops of liquid smoke will give it that low-and-slow flavor.
- The Best Mac & Cheese: Cook up some velveted chicken, toss it with this barbecue sauce, and pile it on top of my Gouda mac and cheese (trust me, it is so good).
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How To Make Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Whisk The Ingredients Together
In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients.
Simmer Until Thickened
Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed, until the sauce has reduced and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so be careful not to overcook it.
Cool Before Using
Transfer the Captain Morgan Barbecue Sauce to a bowl or container and let it cool to room temperature before using.
Expert Tips For The Best Captain Morgan BBQ Sauce
- Keep the sauce at a rapid bubble, adjusting the heat so it doesn't boil over. As the sauce reduces and the alcohol cooks off, it will bubble rapidly. Keep a close eye on the sauce so it doesn't overcook or burn.
- Test the thickness two ways. For the cold plate trick, pop a small plate in the freezer for a few minutes, then drop a spoonful of sauce on it and tip the plate. If the sauce holds its shape and moves slowly, it's ready. For a quicker check, run your finger along the back of a saucy spoon (careful not to burn yourself!), if the line holds, you're good to go.
- Do a taste test. Every brand of spiced rum has a slightly different spice profile, so give the sauce a final taste and adjust the sweetness or heat before serving.
How To Store Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or jar. It will keep in the fridge for up to one week.
- To freeze the sauce, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, and thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
- Barbecue sauce can be reheated gently in a saucepan or in the microwave in short bursts if you need it to be warmed for your dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of it does. Simmering the sauce for 15-20 minutes allows the alcohol to evaporate, leaving behind the warm, spiced flavor without much of the actual alcohol content. It won't be 100% alcohol-free, but it will be close.
Yes! Any spiced rum works in this recipe. Dark rum is also a solid substitute, though you'll lose a bit of the vanilla and cinnamon notes that spiced rum is known for.
Stored in an airtight container, this sauce keeps for 1 week in the fridge.
Keep it simmering uncovered over medium to low heat, sauces thicken as the liquid reduces. If it's still thin after 20 minutes, whisk in a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water) and simmer for another couple of minutes until it thickens up.
Spiced rum is great in cocktails like a rum and coke, bahama mama or a hot buttered rum, but it also shines in baked goods like my cherry rum pie or apple rum monkey bread, as well as sauces, glazes and marinades.
Serve This Barbecue Sauce with...
Looking for recipes to try this BBQ sauce with? Try these:
If you made this Captain Morgan Barbecue Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Captain Morgan Barbecue Sauce (Sweet & Spicy)
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ cup Spiced Rum
- ¼ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ⅛ teaspoon Allspice
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients until fully combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed. Simmer until the sauce has reduced and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so be careful to not overcook it. You're looking for a consistency slightly thinner than what you want the finished sauce to be.
- Transfer the barbecue sauce to a bowl or container and let it cool to room temperature before using.
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Notes
- Spiced Rum: Any kind of spiced rum works for this BBQ sauce recipe. Dark rum can be used as a substitute if you don't have spiced.
- Ketchup: Can be substituted with tomato paste that has been thinned with a bit of water.
- White Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar works well if you don't have white.
- Make it Spicy: Add cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
- Make it Smokier: Add a few drops of liquid smoke for a delicious, punchy smoked flavor.
- The barbecue sauce will bubble rapidly on the stove, and this is ok, it is the alcohol cooking off. Adjust the heat as needed so it doesn't boil over, but keep it high enough that it boils rapidly.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container or jar and keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
We've been making this BBQ sauce for years, and it is literally the BEST!