If you have ever spent a hot and humid afternoon picking through briars and brambles to get your hands on sweet-tart and juicy wild blackberries, then you know how precious this Wild Blackberry Homemade BBQ Sauce is. Mixed with a little blood, sweat and tears (optional), we are sharing this amazing BBQ sauce recipe with you.
You can thank my husband for the idea. If it were up to me, these little beauties would have been in a blackberry cobbler. This is definitely one of those times when I am glad I listened to him. (Yeah, yeah, this is my way of saying he was right.)
Wild Blackberry Homemade BBQ Sauce. The second best idea my husband has ever had.
If you have any romantic notions about picking wild blackberries, forget them. They are a quite tricky fruit to pick, but well worth the pain and suffering.
Wild blackberries are an excellent fruit for the perfect tangy-sweet taste in this homemade BBQ Sauce.
These were the first batch of blackberries picked from my mom and step-dad's this year. So. good.
Tips on picking wild blackberries:
- Wear long sleeves and pants and shoes with covered toes. No matter how hot it is outside, you will thank me for this later.
- Pick the berries in clusters by cupping them in your hand, careful not to grab a briar.
- Only pick the ripe berries. Once you pick them they do not continue to ripen. Just tug a little and if it comes right off, it is ripe. If not, the berry isn't ready.
- Place picked berries in shallow containers and don't pack them in. If they are weighed down by other berries they will start to bruise.
- Squat down and look at the bush from all angles. You will be surprised at how many ripe, juicy blackberries are hiding in there.
(About to head over there to pick more as soon as I finish this post. That means more blackberry recipes are coming!)
The idea for making these fresh wild blackberries into the BBQ sauce of dreams came from my husband. He heard of someone using a blackberry sauce with pulled pork.
After giving it just a little thought, I knew we could make an amazing sauce.
This is a super-easy recipe that anyone can make at home. Get our complete homemade bbq sauce recipe and how-to at the end of this post. This batch will almost fill a quart-sized jar, and can easily be increased if you have a huge blackberry crop.
Ingredients Needed to Make Blackberry BBQ Sauce:
- Fresh wild blackberries
- Water
- Ketchup
- Dark brown sugar
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Yellow prepared mustard
- Sriracha hot sauce
- Spices - See the recipe at the end of this post for the complete list.
One thing I knew for sure...I wanted people to know it was blackberry BBQ sauce when they tasted it. The vibrant color, fruit and seeds are my favorite part of this homemade sauce recipe.
(If you aren't a fan of seeds, then...not sure you like blackberries anyway. But you can certainly strain the blackberry "mush" through a sieve first if you prefer.)
Kind of looks like blackberry jam, doesn't it? Trust me...this is definitely a tart and tangy BBQ sauce.
How to Make Blackberry BBQ Sauce:
- In a medium sized sauce pan combine 2 ½ cups of the blackberries with all remaining ingredients except the water.
- Then, using a hand held blender, blend all ingredients to desired consistency. Heat to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Next, stir in the water and the remaining whole berries. Increase heat to a low boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or to desired thickness. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Remove from heat and cool. Pour into a clean quart jar and seal. Refrigerate.
TIP: If you do not have a hand held blender, place the noted ingredients into a standard blender or food processor before cooking. BBQ Sauce will thicken upon standing and refrigeration.
More deliciously different Southern recipes:
Sweet + Smoky Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
Tennessee Tomato Gravy
Bacon Lover's Baked Beans
Blueberry and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad
Fried Green Tomato BLT's
Okra Peppers and Vidalia
We made the recipe thin enough to brush and baste your favorite grilling meats, but thick enough to stick.
The sauce is sweet, but not so sweet and sugary that it burns easily.
The first thing we put this sauce on? Ribs. So delicious!!
Look how gorgeous this Homemade BBQ Sauce is. And it tastes even better than it looks.
The fruity bursting berry flavor combined with brown sugar, honey and spices...my mouth is literally watering thinking about it. You have to try this BBQ sauce recipe and let us know what you think.
Warning, the next few pictures are graphically delicious.
So good, I couldn't quit eating these saucy ribs. Not only did we baste the ribs while cooking, but we dipped them into more while eating.
What can I say, I ♥ the sauce.
P.S. This BBQ sauce is also excellent on chicken. (Yes, we had it again the next night.)
Ok, this is the last picture of sauce-smothered ribs I will share.
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Wild Blackberry Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups fresh wild blackberries rinsed and drained
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow prepared mustard
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium sized sauce pan combine 2 ½ cups of the blackberries with all remaining ingredients except the water.
- Using a hand held blender, blend all ingredients to desired consistency. Heat to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the water and the remaining whole berries. Increase heat to a low boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or to desired thickness. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Remove from heat and cool. Pour into a clean quart jar and seal. Refrigerate.
This wild blackberry BBQ sauce looks incredibly tasty, little tart little sweet..oh my mouth is watering 🙂 just too good.
Thank you so much! It is one of the recipes I am most proud of. Can't wait to make it again, hope you have the chance to try it.
Can this recipe be canned?
Did you try canning it?
I just love fruity BBQ sauce. I have had cherry, but never blackberry and it sounds amazing.
OOOh...Cherry BBQ Sauce...that sounds awesome. I feel another BBQ sauce recipe post coming.
I haven't seen wild blackberries since I was a kid and your post really brought back memories for me. That barbecue sauce looks and sounds mouthwatering! I'm coming to your next cookout!
Hopefully they were the good kind of memories (and not the ones of getting poked by briars).
Love everything blackberry, most of all blackberry jam! Your blackberry bbq sauce looks so good, mouthwatering!
It turned out better than expected. Ready to make some more and try it on other food.
This sounds absolutely delicious! Is it possible to can this recipe?
I personally have not canned it but I plan on trying. Since it is cooked with sugars and vinegar, I bet it would turn out great. The only thing I might do before canning is not leave any of the berries whole. (Or possibly strain it.)
This recipe made 1 quart. We used it all within a week, stored in fridge. If you do try canning it let me know.
Did you ever try canning it? Looking for feedback before I try today...
No, I haven't been able to get my hands on enough blackberries to do another batch. I'm sure it would can great, especially with the high acidity of the berries. Are you thinking pressure canner or water bath?
My daughter just made this sauce - delicious!! Thank you so much for the awesome recipe, we never would have thought to use blackberries!
I am so happy you tried it and loved it. ???? As soon as I can get my hands on more blackberries I am making it again. Thank you for taking the time to comment
I do not like too spicy. Can you not add chili and siracha or is it not too spicy with it? We moved into a home with a 30 year old bush. I made freezer jam and thats it. I have 4 pounds still frozen from last year and now another 8 pounds. I am looking for any help on making great things.
You can absolutely leave out the spicy ingredients. 🙂
Delicious! My husband and I picked some of the tart invasive blackberries that are all over Seattle, and made this jam. We subbed 3 tsp of chipotle chili adobo sauce for the sriracha, and it is perfect.
Next time I'll put it through the food processor and see if I can't remove some of those seeds, but other than that this sauce is perfect! Thank you!
I am so thrilled that you tried it and love it. I definitely will be making it again and maybe strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth for a smoother sauce. (I love the berries and seeds, but I could see where having a smoother sauce would be enjoyable for most people.) Thank you for trying our recipe and taking the time to let us know how it turned out.
Hi Rachel
Do you know how long this could be stored in the refrigerator? Thanks!
10 to 14 days.
You're so lucky to find wild blackberries. They don't grow where I live! Love this recipe, looks and sounds amazing.
I've made it with store bought berries as well, just as good, although turns out a little sweeter than the wild ones.
I love wild berries and they are so tart they make a perfect combination with meat. This looks so good. Love the pictures. Saving for later.
Oh I do hope you have a chance to try it. Very good, I think you will love it.
I love love love using fruits in savory sauces like this! Bringing sweetness to meats is so clever, and I love when unsuspecting fruits are involved 🙂
Thank you so much! This is one of our favorite sauces to use. (Great on chicken too.)
I am for sure pinning this BBQ sauce recipe. It sounds so delish!
I hope you get a chane to try the sauce. Let me know what you think.
I remember picking wild blackberries. ..and the stained fingers and face! We ate more than we took home. That sauce is to die for! I'm still drooling over your pics.
Thank you so much! We did eat our share, I had to keep my husband out of them so I would have enough to make the sauce. lol
This is my new signature sauce to accompany my pulled pork smoked in my homemade barrel smoker. I just picked a bag full of fresh wild blackberries on my property in Central Virginia and used them in your recipe. Absolutely delicious. I am so glad I found your recipe.
That is so awesome. I am glad you tried it and it turned out great for you. I'm ready to make another batch very soon. (Also I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and let us know. Thanks!)
Every August we have a hillside nearby with a bumper crop of large wild blackberries. We plunder them then go looking for recipes to try them with. Came across this article and gave it a try. It tastes amazing by itself. We can't wait to try it over our favorite meats. Thanks so much for sharing this one!
First of all, thank you so much for trying the recipe and taking the time to share your feedback.
Second of all, I'm SUPER jealous of your blackberries! I wish we had more.
Enjoy your meal, I think you are going to be very happy. 🙂
What a delicious sounding barbecue sauce recipe! Wild blackberries are wonderful.
Thank you so much, it really turned out great and is one of my favorites. Can't wait for more blackberries.
Would love to hear from someone who has canned this
I haven't tried canning it yet, but I think I'm going to give it a shot this summer. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I was thinking of canning in pint jars and process in a water bath. (Gift idea!)
Can you use tomato sauce rather than ketchup?
Absolutely. It might change the taste a little bit because of the thickness and spices / flavorings that are in ketchup. But you can adjust to your own taste.
Did you ever try canning this? Our berries are abundant this year and I would love to try making it.
I have not had enough berries to can it yet. I have had several people ask, and I can't wait for someone to try it. I think it would do well with a water bath canning for 10 minutes.
Made this yesterday. The sauce was very thick until I added the full cup of water. Even after 40 mins, it was still thin. So recommend adding the water slowly. The sauce had an interesting flavor. Almost like Catalina salad dressing.
Great suggestion on the water. I will update the instructions to word it to "add water gradually until you reach desired consistency"? Oh, it does have a bright flavor like catalina (which I also love). Glad you tried it! Thanks for the feedback, I sincerely appreciate it.